Lost Treasures of American History by W. C. Jameson

Author:W. C. Jameson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Taylor Trade Publishing
Published: 2006-06-27T16:00:00+00:00

THE LOST TREASURE OF THE H.M.S. HUSSAR

During November 1780, the H.M.S. Hussar, a frigate flying the flag of the British Navy, was carrying a military payroll estimated to be worth between one and two million dollars in gold and silver coins when it struck a rock outcrop in New York City’s East River and sank seventy-five feet to the bottom. Though a number of attempts to reach the ship have been made during the past two centuries, the treasure has never been recovered.

The H.M.S. Hussar, constructed in 1763, was a 114-foot British Navy frigate. It carried a crew of two hundred, a large contingent of soldiers, and twenty-eight cannons. In addition to kegs, barrels, and trunks containing supplies, arms, and ammunition, in November 1780 the frigate transported ten American prisoners who had been delivered from prison camps in England and intended to be used to barter for the release of an equal number of captured British soldiers. Additionally, deep in the hold of the H.M.S. Hussar were several chests containing gold and silver coins intended as payroll funds for British troops stationed in New York at the time.

For several days, the Hussar remained anchored in the New York harbor, a position that made the frigate’s captain nervous. Earlier, he had received word that the French were intent on capturing the vessel along with the shipment of gold and silver. In fact, a fleet of French warships was known to be in the vicinity, perhaps as close as Rhode Island, about 150 miles away. To compound the captain’s apprehension, intelligence informed him that at least six thousand French soldiers, accompanied by hundreds of sympathetic American troops, were at that moment converging on New York City from the north. An attack could occur at any moment.

Because of the imminent danger to the Hussar, its men, and the cargo, the ship’s captain, along with General Clinton, the British Commander of New York, decided the ship should be moved immediately to a safer, more defensible location. They decided to proceed to a protective cove in Connecticut, several miles up the coast to the northeast.

The most logical route to Connecticut was to sail parallel to Long Island’s south shore. Because of the prevailing southerly winds which sometimes blew vessels onto the beach, however, ships electing to follow this route were forced to sail into positions far out to sea. The captain perceived two serious problems with this plan. First, this route would necessitate a significant investment of time and put them off schedule. Second, the distant offshore location would also expose the Hussar to an attack in the open sea from the French warships. It was decided, instead, to sail the frigate up the East River and into Long Island Sound between the island and mainland and thence on to the previously decided-upon location in Connecticut.

Though the decision to navigate the East River was sound from a military and tactical standpoint, it also presented a number of serious problems. One reason why the East River had long been avoided by sailing vessels was the presence of tricky, dangerous currents.

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