The Mystery and Lost Treasure of the H.M.S. Hussar

Although many ships are known to have been lost to the treacherous waters of Hell Gate, New York, there is one particular warship, the HMS Hussar, which seems to attract the most attention.  That is because it is rumored to have gone down with a very large British military payroll, and the golden treasure of Guineas have never been recovered.

On November 23rd, 1780, Captain Charles Pole sailed the HMS Hussar up the East River in efforts to transport the ship’s cargo to a safer location.  It is believed the captain feared the gold and silver on board his ship was in imminent danger of being confiscated by French and American Troops closing in on his location at the New York Harbor.

Aware of the obstacles he was to face sailing through the Hell Gate waters, Captain Pole charged on.  He was seemingly determined to move up river.   Disaster struck when the Hussar was swept against Pot Rock; a rocky ledge hidden just a few feet below the water’s surface.  Unable to steer his ship back to safety, the ship, and its contents, went under and was lost to the river currents.

There were many survivors of the Hussar’s sinking, and the belief it held a valuable cargo began to be questioned.  The British denied anything of extreme value was on board.  However, because of multiple attempts in trying to salvage the wreckage over the years after it sunk, and the huge sums of money invested towards their recovery efforts, the British aren’t fully believed. Most feel they denied carrying the cargo to try and protect others from going after it.

As late as 2013, after hurricane Sandy hit the East Coast, thoughts about HMS Hussar actively surfaced. It is possible the ravage weather had churned the waterway enough to wash remnants of the wreckage along the city’s coast.   Steven Smith, walking the South Bronx shoreline after the storm, felt he might have discovered wooden pieces which could have been of the Hussar.  No gold guineas were found, however.

The legend of the Hussar and its lost treasure of gold continues to capture people’s attention.  Who knows, maybe the next round of stormy waters will wash ashore some of Hussar’s gold.  Time will tell and treasure hunters are patient.

Best of luck with all that you seek!  Treasure the Adventure!

Here is a Video Summary of the Lost Gold of the H.M.S. Hussar.  Come explore with MW!