Lost treasure

Wreck of the General Grant Illustrated London News, 1868

There is an enduring tale of shipwreck, survival and lost treasure that has keep treasure seekers fascinated for almost 150 years. In 1866 the General Grant, a 1098 ton American sailing ship was wrecked upon the hostile rocks of the Auckland Islands, far to the south of New Zealand’s South Island.

While the Auckland Islands are officially part of New Zealand, no one lives there. These bleak and inhospitable specks of rock in the Southern Ocean are about as mean a place as one could find this side of Hell.

The General Grant left Melbourne, Australia, bound for England, sailing eastward, intending to round the bottom of New Zealand, prior to striking out across the Pacific Ocean. The ship was making good progress when on the night of May 13 the Auckland Islands were seen ahead. The crew and passengers watched as they slowly drifted towards massive cliffs. In the light winds and choppy seas the ship crept inexorably to its doom. In the early hours of the morning it crashed bow on into the cliffs. The stricken ship drifted further along the cliffs where it floated into a large cave; there the mast struck the rock roof. As the tide rose, the mast was forced through the hull, sinking the ship.

In the panic that followed, 68 people were drowned, either in the cave or in attempts to reach the shore. Of the crew of 22 and 61 passengers just fifteen survived, one of whom was a woman. Their story of survival and eventual rescue almost two years later is the stuff of a great seafaring yarn.

The General Grant would be just a footnote in the long and often tragic history of humankind’s use of the sea, were it not for one thing. Listed on the cargo manifest was 2,567 ounces of gold, (worth about US$4,100,000 at today’s price)… and if that were not enough to attract treasure hunters, the vessel was carrying 9 tons of something called zinc spelter, a material used in the galvanizing process. It is widely assumed (and hoped) that this was also gold, listed as a cheap base metal to deter pirates and thieves. 9 tons of gold from the rich Australian goldfields… if my calculations are correct that gold would be worth a cool US$2 billion today!

There have been at least 14 futile expeditions raised attempting to find whatever is left of the ship and its elusive cargo. Only a few gold and silver coins, a porthole cover and some weights have been found, and these are just as likely to have come from any of the other 10 wrecks in the area. Some of these expeditions have cost those funding or venturing on them everything, including their lives.      

Jesus spoke about an ancient treasure hunter, who, when he discovered a fabulous pearl sold all that he had in order to have it for himself. The kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls; who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. Matthew 13:45-46 MKJV   

This pearl was not found by chance, but rather by a person whose business it was to seek out such things. This man knew what he wanted, and set out get it, regardless of the cost. He instantly recognized the surpassing value of the treasure and once seen simply had to obtain it.

We are spiritual treasure hunters, seeking and finding this pearl of great price; which is none other than Jesus Christ. Like the merchant, we should not be content with merely finding such a treasure, but must give our all. What will it avail us to know Christ, if we do not know him as ours? A person may give all, even their life, chasing rumors and legends of lost gold but never find the real treasure.

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Luke 12:34 MKJV