Volume 17, Number 38 Thursday, September 27, 2001 The Roster of Goldseekers Reaches to Poverty Island by William F. Keefe (Note: In Part I the history of the legendary Poverty Island gold treasure unfolded as it has appeared in court records and independent studies as well as newspaper and magazine accounts. Critical segments dealt with the efforts of Steven J. Libert and his associates in Fairport International Exploration, Inc. to win court approval to recover any treasure that they might find on the Lake Michigan bottom near the island. Since Part I was written the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati, Ohio has decided against Fairport and in favor of the State of Michigan. The latter has refused to issue the necessary salvage permit on the main ground that any treasure lying in Michigan waters belongs to the state. In July, 2001, Fairport and Libert were prepar- ing to take their case to an admiralty court and, if necessary, to the United States Supreme Court.) Part II If there’ s treasure keeping cool among the rocks, boulders, and shipwrecks that litter the underwater mud around Poverty Island, it has led a charmed— or perhaps cursed—life. Over a period variously estimated at 188 to 137 years, it has eluded platoons of treasure- The view from Poverty Island reveals a vast panorama of water. hunters. Many of them were tyros, dreamers hoping for a quick strike on a hunch and a prayer. But many others could boast yards of credits as divers plus incomparable work habits and research talents. The yellow has successfully defied discovery even as the equip- ment used in the repetitive searches has improved technologically. As one example, the modern sidescan sonar would have been Buck Rogers stuff to the divers of the 1930s, 40s, and 50s. And con- sider the primitive diving equipment used, according to Steve Libert, by the gold-seekers working with Milwaukeean Wilfred Behrens, Paul J. Creviere, author of Wild Gales and Tattered Sails, models a 1944 U.S. navy Mark V diving suit late owner of the much-sought Captain Lawrence. made in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Creviere is a diver and newspaperman. Island Continued on Page 2 Page 2 September 27, 2001 911 Franklin Street • Michigan City, IN 46360 219/879-0088 • FAX 219/879-8070 In Case Of Emergency, Dial e-mail: News/Articles - [email protected] email: Classifieds - [email protected] http://www.bbpnet.com/ Published and Printed by THE BEACHER BUSINESS PRINTERS Delivered weekly, free of charge to Birch Tree Farms, Duneland Beach, Grand Beach, Hidden 911 Shores, Long Beach, Michiana Shores, Michiana MI and Shoreland Hills. The Beacher is also Subscription Rates delivered to public places in Michigan City, New Buffalo, LaPorte and Sheridan Beach. 1 year $26 6 months $14 3 months $8 1 month $3 Island Continued from Page 1 things he had ever done. Seeing that chest in the glow of his halogen underwater light, the dedicated diver, “They had a kind of diving bell that they made from salvor, and U.S. government map analyst held back. something like a 150-gallon drum,” explains Libert. “It was close enough to touch,” he recalls of that day “One man would sit inside the diving bell and be low- in July, 2000. “And these other guys were shouting ered to the bottom. The drum, of course, had no bot- at me through our intercom. We had an underwater tom. The diver would just sort of move along, suspended argument going--some 85 feet down. from the ship on the surface. The human eyeball did “You can’t put your foot down when you’ re near the the scanning for wrecks and treasure.” lake bottom. But I did, figuratively. Let’ s take it up, His researches, including interviews with at least the others were telling me. We can settle the legal one member of Behrens’ crew, have convinced Libert questions later. that Behrens found a chest full of gold. The find “I told them no, I had been looking for this prize for dated from the war year 1813. It went back into the 20-plus years and now that I was this close I was going deep with Behrens’ ship almost before the gold could to do it right. That meant legally.” dry out; the Captain Lawrence foundered in violent The chest that may or may not be filled with gold seas on September 19, 1933. isn’t large--about the size of a breadbox. It just may Libert’ s seven-year court struggle is only one of the be the end of a long rainbow for Libert. But in August, factors marking him as unquestionably the most 2001 he had neither permit nor gold. He could per- dedicated of the gold-seekers who have broken the sur- haps console himself with the thought that he had face of Lake Michigan in search of instant wealth. come closer-- “an arm s length away”--from unlock- Further evidence lies in the fact that he researched ing the secret of the chest for once and all. the Poverty Island gold legend for some 14 years--1980 to 1994--before going to law for a salvage permit. He also formed Fairport International Exploration in the early 1990s to provide backing for the court effort; as the case has moved from judicial venue to judicial venue, he has continued to dive near Poverty Island. In 2000, Libert says, he found the Captain Lawrence. Just as the Behrens’ crew member had said, a chest sits on the deck near the bow. Diving with two com- panions, Libert accomplished one of the toughest The Fairport International Exploration, Inc. dive team parleys over its next move while taking advantage of a temporary shelter on Poverty Island. Who are the others who did not, apparently, come that close? The record provides no complete answer to that question--naturally, since many or most of them went treasure-hunting anonymously and in secret, some- times diving at night. But a March, 1969 article in Skin Diver magazine told of one such effort. In 1936, the magazine said, a “syndicate” raised $35,000 to finance a thorough hunt for the Poverty Island gold. “A team of divers headed by Frank Pea began a Steve Libert’s dive boat Sharon on the way to dive site. three-year search. Working from a ship named the September 27, 2001 Page 3 Saint Lawrence (sic!), and using a diving bell, they scoured the bottom around Poverty Island. .for the Open ‘til 7 p.m. lost chests.” Evenings That the 1936-1939 expedition was, in this account, using a ship named Saint Lawrence suggests that two stories may have become garbled. It also indicated, by inference, how legend may have become inter- mingled with myth and rumor to cloud the realities. www.littlehousefashions.comElegant Apparel for the It would be wildly improbable that the Captain [email protected] Conscious Woman Lawrence, foundering in 1933, would have as a suc- Women’s Apparel cessor a dive ship named the Saint Lawrence. It becomes even more unreal when one reads, in the same article, that “a sudden storm piled the syndi- cate’s ship onto rocks. .” making the Saint Lawrence Mother of “another victim of the lake’s treachery.” the Wedding SUITS & DRESSES Over 800 Choices! The Most Complete Selection of Suits & Dresses To Choose From Docked in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the Captain Lawrence--at that time the 20-50% off Alice--awaits her Sea Scout owners. the Sea Scouts used the craft as a training vessel for several years in the late teens and 20s. (Marine Historical Collection, Milwaukee Public Library.) Sizes 4-22W The Skin Diver article relied on a 1968 verbal report suggesting that the syndicate divers had actually discovered gold. The author, Skin Diver sub- editor Bill Barada, made much of the fact that he had received the report from Art Reetz, an experienced, Summer Clearance careful, successful diver. The article first summarized the Civil War-era version of the gold legend. After that up to 90% off it fell into the go-get-it category of reportage. One seg- ment seemed especially significant. Meet Us For Lunch And A Style Show The vignette that “sent gold fever racing through THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 - ROSKOE’S, LA PORTE Art Reetz’ blood stream,” and in the aftermath had similar effect on many others, involved a “taci- THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4 - TIPPECANOE PLACE, SOUTH BEND 409 Alexander Street LaPorte, IN 326-8602 turn tavern owner on Washington island named 409On Alexander Hwy 35 - 5 Street Blocks LaPorte,South of LincolnwayIN 326-8602 Karly or Karla Jessen.” On Hwy 35Turn - 5 Right Blocks on SouthAlexander of Lincolnway Monday - FridayTurn Right 9:30 toon 7 Alexander Saturday 9:30 to 5 Monday-Friday 10 to 6 Saturday 9:30 to 5 Island Continued on Page 4 Page 4 September 27, 2001 Deserted and with holes in its roof, the former residence of the Poverty The Poverty Island lighthouse and adjoining keeper’s island lightkeeper stands as a reminder that the island’s lighthouse once residence are deserted. warned ships of dangerous shoals. Island Continued from Page 3 Creviere. “I knew him. I was on his boat, a 42-foot fish- Karly’s father was the lighthouse keeper on Poverty ing tug named the Sea Diver. It was in Chicago, com- Island at the time the divers from the Saint Lawrence pletely equipped for salvage operations. As for Sam’s were searching for the gold, and he had spent many finding some of the gold, I doubt it.