SIR, - I regret that I did not succeed in convincing your
correspondent about the sandstone slab which, however, can take care of itself
pretty well. We will therefore let that pass.
As the mahogany ship is not yet "at grasp" we will
say a few words about her. The evidence we have, shows this wreck to have
been where she is about 120 years, and that so long ago she was "very, very
old." She has, therefore been in her present position three or four
hundred years. We have not succeeded in getting the point of an iron rod
into her, but no doubt shall do so. We shall then find plenty of money
forthcoming to have her thoroughly examined. There is no doubt upon this
point. Within the area to which Captain Mills sight bearing leads us, have
been found some remarkable pieces of, not merely oxidised, but absolutely rotten
ship’s iron work, as the latch of a galley fire place or oven - part of a
stanchion, and of a large spike nail, together with a bronze bolt and a
considerable quantity of what seems to have been massive hooping.
The wreck is, therefore, probably not far off. Anyone who
wishes to see these at the Museum can do so. They have been found about
this one area, and are picked up only about this quarter.
I am yours, &c.,
J.ARCHIBALD,
