The lost treasure of the Catterthun

Hello All

The Catterthun 2,179 gross tons. Lb: unknown. Built Doxford of Sunderland. Departed Sydney 7 August for China, encountering worsening weather along the way. 8 August 1895 wrecked on Seal Rocks, off Sugarloaf Point, Near Port Stephens New South Wales.

Although some lifeboats got away safely, the loss of live varies from 50 - 77 souls, first time any loss of life occured with this shipping concern. 26 survivors. In addition, a cargo of 10 crates in an iron 'specie chamber' containing some 11,000 sovereigns sank to 30 fathoms.

 From August 17 1896 two salvage divers with specialised diver suits capable of the 30 fathom pressure as brought out from England recovered 9,000 sovereigns after blasting through the tank on the ocean floor. 2,000 sovereigns remain unrecovered.

Current Value of remaining sovereigns just over 1 Million dollars.

Hardluck


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