Loss of the "Vine" in 1664

[elsalvador]

Extracted from ?Chronicles of Shipwrecks and Sunken Treasure? available from SevenSeasPublishing.com

LOSS OF THE "VINE" IN 1664

(1) In 1664 from the port of Achin on the Sumatran coast, the proclaimed Queen of the region, fearing that Dutch forces planned waging war upon her dominions, sought arrangements with the English whereby all trading rights would be ceded to them in exchange for military protection.

Accordingly in January, the East Indiaman "Vine" departed from Achin to deliver the Queen?s proposal to British authorities then residing at Surat in northwestern India.* After completing the mission the "Vine" sailed again in April carrying diplomatic personnel who would formerly establish the new association. However less than two hours into the return voyage, the ship suddenly capsized.

Testimony of the survivors later attributed the mishap to the captain, Mr. Blackman, for allowing too many sails to be flown, which in the strong breeze, toppled the vessel. Among those drowned in the wreck, were the captain together with numerous distinguished passengers and envoys who transported with them rich presents for the enterprising Queen.

Following loss of the "Vine", a detailed accounting of the event ended saying:

?Endeavors were made to recover the gold and other cargo, by means of divers, but without success!?

Included in the big losers was an Indian broker named Valji who carried with him ?1,500 in gold for the purpose of secretly purchasing 300 tons of pepper. Although Valji survived ?his gold was lost? said one report. Because the wreck came to rest at depths too deep for native divers to reach, the cargo probably remains untouched.

*Footnote: Surat lies along the banks of the Tapti River approximately 150 miles northward from Bombay.