STRANGE SALVAGE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 29 July 1907, Page 2

STRANGE SALVAGE.

VISIT TO AN OLD WKEOK. DISCOVERIES UNDER THE SEA. A few days ago (says the N.Z. Times) an ''expedition was organised by Mr K. C. Porano, of Picton, and Mr Alex- M. Gow, of Wellington, with the view of exploiting the wreck of the steamer Rangitoto, oil Jackson's Head. Tho Vessel met her doom on July 31st, 1873. The wreck of the vessel has almost boon | forgot ten, although some of the older I identities occasionally discussed the posj nihility of recovering the. cargo of eop- | per ])lates which were supposed to have been thie freight of the Ttangitotowhm she went to the bottom. The Rnngituto, a screw iron steamer of 475 tons, was owned by the Panamal and New Zealand Royal Mail Company, and was a\A 'll-known passenger and cargo trader between Australia and New Zealand , ports.

A plan of salvaging the cargo of copper was arranged recently, and the ",erviees of Diver F. Dixon, of Wellington, and his attendant, J. Harrington, wore secured. Mr Gow's Sirtlie Gorman diving gear used at the Elingamito wreck two jtaara ago, was taken to Picton'. The party left Picton in the small st"n.mer Elsie last Tuesday morning, and although the weather was unsuitable, owing to a heavy easterly sea, Mr Peraiio took the Elsie over the wreck, and Diver Dixon, on going down, at once discovered the Rangitoto. The vessel was almost hidden by a tJijMc'' growth of kelp, she had a slight list, and her two iron masts had fallien to the side. It was necessary to cut awiy flv- kelp before access could be gained

to the vessel's hold. About 30ft of the iron plates near the, keel had been ripped off by chafing on the rocks where she now lies.

Dixon reports that )Uie engines are in a wonderful state of preservation, although thickly encrusted with submarine growth. The after-hold was found to be almost full of loose bottles cf beer (in stone bottles), sherry, Martcli's brandy, Hennessy's brandy, claret, sav-

saparilla, and soda water. Apparently tlie cases in which the drinka,bles had been packed had rotted away, and the hnttlos had rolled into layers without breaking. Although search was made for the copper, no signs of any were! discovered. Tlte forehold contained cases of assorted hardware and some rolls of cloth. One case, containing 3e\vt of hammers, rules, window-catches, etc., was salvaged, and samples of each of the li-

enors were also taken on to Ithe Elsie. The heer sherry, sarsa-parilla, claret and soda-water were found to have, improv-

Ed considcrahly hy their immersion, hut the brandy has a decidedly "corky" flavor, which rendered the liquor unpalatable. Some, crockery and glassware hearing the impress of the steamship company was ajso rescued in good condition. ' Dixon inspected the strongroom—and found a family of crayfish. No money was discovered, as npptrently the'bullion and specie had hem removed before the ship was abandonbd The wreck presented to the diver a. weird spectacle, resting on tho bottom of the sea. The Elsie was cleverly handled hv Mr Perano, and thb diyor was able to pursue his investigation lor nearly the wholo day.