COCOS ISLAND.

Temuka Leader, Issue 228, 27 January 1880, Page 3

COCOS ISLAND.

The Han Francisco Ball of October •‘Blst pays : “Cocos Island, situated off the the coast of Central America, is supposed to be thickly planted with „bags of treasure left there by buccaneers freebooters who plundered the seas in days gone by. Tradition says that on one occasion the genial old pirates who made the Island taeir headquarters would sink a galleon near the shore to save their treasure. Expeditions have several times gone in search of these mythical millions, but have found none. The schooner Vanderbilt, which sailed from this port on April 12th last, for the purpose of discovering such treasure, arrived at Santa Barbra a week ago, with a discouraged goldless crew. For three months they toiled upon the beach tinder a tropical sun, digging for buried gold, running tunnels and drifts, and sinking pits end ditches ; but their labour was in vain. No regular search was made for a wrecked galleon, but in a ■desultry way some efforts were made in a small boat. The tyater is so clear and transparent that at a depth 40 fathoms the bottom of the sea is plainly visible. Small pebbles and the waving ' lines of sand aie as clearly presented to ' the view as if within a few inches of the surface. The submarine view is described as being wonderful beauty. Except in spots, the"bottom is _ covered with a coral formation, from which float festoons and long streamers of seawood of every imignable hue and form. The water is fairly alive with fish. In the depth can be seen the long dusky form of the ravenous shark as he lasiiy floats along on the look out for his prey. As provisions began to run short it became necessary to leave. The voyage to Santa Barbara occupied 66 days. While the Vanderbilt was at Cocos Island, the steamer Fescue, of San Francisco, arrived, also in searcn of the fabled gold ; but her Captain «nd crew soon became disheartened and sailed for Punta Arenas, where the schooner was sold to the Costa Rican Government,’