ITALIAN VENTURE TO SALVAGE GOLD OF WRECKED LINER.

Shannon News, 16 August 1929, Page 4

ITALIAN VENTURE TO SALVAGE GOLD OF WRECKED LINER.

EGYPT'S TREASURE,

Will the two Italian ships, Artiglib and Kostpro, find -the wreck of tjae P. and 0. liner Egypt, which sank off Ushant with several tons of gold and silver on board in 350-400 feet of water? ,

"If they are lucky in finding her," said Mr. R. 11. Davis, the manager of Messrs. Siebe Gorman and Co., the diving experts, "it may be difficult to work in that locality on account of the current. Then, again, one never knows the position in which.the wreck will lie on the bottom. She may be on her side or she fnay be bottom up. "If she is bottom up, they will have to blast a way through her side or bottom to reach the bullion. In any case it will be an expensive job. The diving gear they will use is an improved patent of Neufcldt, and Kunkhe's German dress of 1920. Lure of Diamonds.

"This is the high-pressure dresa which was used on the wreck of the Elizabethvjlle last year, when the safe was removed from the wreck. Instead of containing diamonds, as was alleged, the. salvors only found a few francs, but they recovered a quantity of ivory which compensated them for their trouble.

"The Italians have been fairly successful in recovering sea treasure, and carrying out salvage work in the Mediterranean} where weather and current conditions have'"aided.":them. ".■?■!/' /:"

"It has been proved that. by "using blasting gelatine tightly packed and sewn in canvas tubes of the desired length it is possible,to cut through any. mass of wreckage. ' ■

<<Heavy iron or steel beams can be broken by charges ten or twelve feet in length, while a charge of 120 feet of dynamite in tubes of 60-70 feet will cut a gap'the length of the, chargo through,a hull. •',< No Lusitania Hopes. "The Italian divers have plans; .of the Egypt and once they find the wreck they will be able to locate the positioa of the gold "and silver,, and they will deserve anything they lind for. their enterprise. "Do you think they will make an attempt on the wreck of the Lusitania. if they have luck with the Egypt?" Mr. Davis was asked. "I fear the wreck is too old. Whatever gold she had on board will be scattered by this time," was the reply. "I hear that men are .still working off the Dutch coast on the Tubinia, the ship that was supposed to be carrying gold worth millions in Dutch cheeses, but I fear that more money had been spent than recovered. . ■ "Great treasure lies on the bed of the Baltic Sea in a small ship which has not yet been • found. Vast, hoards of Russian jewels are reported to be but I fear that more money has been discovered. . "We hear many strange stories oc sunken treasure, wo are continually sending our diving appliances to all parts of the world for salving something or other, and we have already been instrumental in assisting to recover manv millions from the sea bed. "Eachvear progress is being .made h.. apparatus which makes it easier to <r o to greater depths than before.