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0:00:03 > 0:00:05- In the early hours - of 26 October 1859...
0:00:06 > 0:00:09- ..on the last leg of its voyage - from Melbourne to Liverpool...
0:00:09 > 0:00:15- ..the Royal Charter ran aground - in a raging storm off Anglesey.
0:00:16 > 0:00:19- 497 people drowned.
0:00:19 > 0:00:22- Not a single woman - or child survived.
0:00:23 > 0:00:27- But it wasn't only bodies - that were swallowed by the sea.
0:00:28 > 0:00:32- Also lost was gold worth 80m - from the Australian gold rush...
0:00:32 > 0:00:37- ..both stored as cargo - and hidden in passengers' luggage.
0:00:38 > 0:00:41- Much of the treasure - still lies beneath the waves.
0:00:43 > 0:00:47- I'm hunting for the Royal - Charter's lost gold...
0:00:47 > 0:00:49- ..with Vincent Thurkettle.
0:00:50 > 0:00:52- It should be good.
0:00:52 > 0:00:56- My adventure - will take me from the seabed...
0:00:56 > 0:00:59- ..to the other side of the world.
0:00:59 > 0:01:04- I'll be poring through archives, - revelling in the history...
0:01:04 > 0:01:06- I've found gold, guys!
0:01:07 > 0:01:11- ..and uncovering a tragedy - that echoes through the ages.
0:01:11 > 0:01:16- Family is everything and he's - in touch with his family again.
0:01:23 > 0:01:27- I'm an Anglesey girl, - born and bred on the island.
0:01:30 > 0:01:32- But, twelve years ago, - everything changed.
0:01:32 > 0:01:34- I met Rob.
0:01:34 > 0:01:36- I met Rob.- - See you, babe.
0:01:36 > 0:01:40- We got married - and made our home in Australia.
0:01:46 > 0:01:49- What filling do you want - in your sandwiches?
0:01:51 > 0:01:52- Jam.
0:01:53 > 0:01:55- You're not having jam sandwiches.
0:01:55 > 0:01:57- What will you do in school?
0:01:57 > 0:01:58- What will you do in school?- - I don't know.
0:01:59 > 0:02:01- Will you play with Gracie?
0:02:01 > 0:02:05- I love living in Australia, - but obviously I miss home...
0:02:08 > 0:02:11- ..more than anything in the world.
0:02:11 > 0:02:15- But I'm very fortunate - to have two homes.
0:02:15 > 0:02:18- Here in Australia and back in Wales.
0:02:18 > 0:02:20- Whoa!
0:02:24 > 0:02:25- I'm in good company.
0:02:26 > 0:02:29- Europeans have emigrated - to Australia for two centuries.
0:02:31 > 0:02:33- Right, let's go to school.
0:02:33 > 0:02:35- The country's history...
0:02:36 > 0:02:40- ..is littered with Welsh people - who came in search of a better life.
0:02:45 > 0:02:48- The greatest exodus happened - a century and a half ago...
0:02:49 > 0:02:51- ..in a glittering age.
0:02:51 > 0:02:53- The 1850s were a golden age.
0:02:53 > 0:02:57- One of the most prosperous golden - ages in the history of the world.
0:02:58 > 0:03:01- For the Aborigine, - the indigenous population...
0:03:01 > 0:03:03- ..gold was worthless.
0:03:04 > 0:03:08- For the first prospectors, - there was treasure under foot.
0:03:09 > 0:03:12- Soon, tens of thousands of people...
0:03:12 > 0:03:17- ..from all over the world sailed - to Australia to make their fortune.
0:03:17 > 0:03:21- Approximately 150,000 Britons...
0:03:21 > 0:03:24- ..five to six thousand of whom - were Welsh...
0:03:24 > 0:03:28- ..capitalized on the gold rush - in Victoria during the 1850s.
0:03:29 > 0:03:34- For those intrepid people, - this was the promised land.
0:03:35 > 0:03:38- But life in the gold fields - was hard and dangerous.
0:03:40 > 0:03:46- One tragic story is familiar - to those who live on Anglesey.
0:03:46 > 0:03:49- The tragedy of the Royal Charter.
0:03:49 > 0:03:53- Everybody knows about it - because it's such an awful tale.
0:03:54 > 0:03:59- The ship was wrecked - despite being so close to the shore.
0:04:01 > 0:04:06- One man has spent years searching - for the ship's lost treasure.
0:04:07 > 0:04:12- Vincent Thurkettle - is a forestry worker and author.
0:04:12 > 0:04:18- Through the winter, - he fells trees in Thetford Forest.
0:04:19 > 0:04:23- But for Vince, something else - puts fire in his belly.
0:04:25 > 0:04:29- It's pretty easy to get gold fever. - Gold is life.
0:04:33 > 0:04:37- Vince has won the World - Gold Panning Championships twice.
0:04:37 > 0:04:40- He has hunted for treasure - on every continent.
0:04:43 > 0:04:47- But one place lures him back - time and time again.
0:04:48 > 0:04:49- The Anglesey coast...
0:04:50 > 0:04:55- ..where the Royal Charter perished - over a century and a half ago.
0:05:02 > 0:05:06- Vince believes - there is treasure in these waters.
0:05:06 > 0:05:07- That's a beauty!
0:05:08 > 0:05:12- He has dived hundreds of times - in search of it.
0:05:12 > 0:05:15- There's much more shipwreck - over towards me.
0:05:19 > 0:05:21- Bits of the Royal Charter, look. - Ribs.
0:05:24 > 0:05:28- # Talking Melbourne, 3AW #
0:05:28 > 0:05:32- I heard about Vince's - underwater escapades...
0:05:32 > 0:05:35- ..when he was interviewed - on Australian radio.
0:05:36 > 0:05:38- "Vince Thurkettle - is a gold prospector...
0:05:39 > 0:05:43- "..and has found some of the gold - from the Royal Charter."
0:05:43 > 0:05:46- I remember driving - when the interview was aired.
0:05:47 > 0:05:51- "In today's money, the ship - was carrying just under 80m."
0:05:51 > 0:05:56- It was about the Royal Charter, - so I stopped the car to listen.
0:05:57 > 0:05:59- "If I found 1% of 1%, - I'd be pleased."
0:05:59 > 0:06:04- "Vince, give us ahoy - when you're next in Melbourne."
0:06:04 > 0:06:08- I was thrilled because of - the Wales-Australia connection.
0:06:09 > 0:06:13- I thought, - "I must get my claws on that story!"
0:06:15 > 0:06:19- Miraculously, I persuaded Vince...
0:06:19 > 0:06:24- ..to let me join him - on his next dive, come what may.
0:06:25 > 0:06:26- When I first spoke to her...
0:06:27 > 0:06:31- ..she did tell me that all - her experience was warm water.
0:06:32 > 0:06:34- The idea of being - in cold, muddy water...
0:06:35 > 0:06:38- ..bothered her a bit, - and I can understand that.
0:06:38 > 0:06:42- Overconfidence is terrible. - It gets people killed.
0:06:42 > 0:06:46- It's now time for me - to face up to the challenge.
0:06:48 > 0:06:50- I'm nervous, I must admit.
0:06:50 > 0:06:54- I've only dived - in very calm waters...
0:06:55 > 0:07:00- ..where there are pretty fish - and everything's aquamarine.
0:07:00 > 0:07:03- I'm diving off the coast of Wales...
0:07:03 > 0:07:07- ..where it'll be murky - and full of all kinds of muck.
0:07:07 > 0:07:10- I'm going to be diving - to the bottom of the sea...
0:07:11 > 0:07:15- ..in a dreadful thick wetsuit - on widescreen TV.
0:07:15 > 0:07:17- Of course I'm nervous!
0:07:20 > 0:07:22- I'm all set. I'll see you in Wales.
0:07:26 > 0:07:29- It's a long journey - even by today's standards...
0:07:30 > 0:07:34- ..but when the Royal Charter sailed - between Wales and Australia...
0:07:35 > 0:07:37- ..it took two whole months - back in 1859...
0:07:38 > 0:07:42- ..despite it being one of the - fastest vessels of the age.
0:07:42 > 0:07:46- Weighing more than 2,700 tonnes - with an iron hull...
0:07:46 > 0:07:49- ..the Royal Charter - was a new type of ship.
0:07:50 > 0:07:52- As well as its sails, - it had a steam engine...
0:07:53 > 0:07:57- ..that could propel the ship - when the wind was calm.
0:07:58 > 0:08:03- Its owners boasted it could sail - between Britain and Australia...
0:08:03 > 0:08:05- ..in less than 60 days.
0:08:06 > 0:08:09- It meant sailing in style.
0:08:15 > 0:08:19- For the prospectors - who had made their fortune...
0:08:19 > 0:08:22- ..it was a luxury cruise back home.
0:08:25 > 0:08:29- The fact that they chose - to travel on the Royal Charter...
0:08:29 > 0:08:31- ..speaks volumes.
0:08:32 > 0:08:36- If they made any money, - money they didn't expect to make...
0:08:36 > 0:08:41- ..what better way to show off - that new-found wealth...
0:08:41 > 0:08:45- ..than by returning home - on the famous Royal Charter?
0:08:48 > 0:08:51- On 24 August 1859, - the Royal Charter crew...
0:08:52 > 0:08:56- ..prepares to set sail - from Melbourne to Liverpool.
0:08:57 > 0:09:00- The ship's captain - writes a passenger list...
0:09:00 > 0:09:02- ..as they board the ship...
0:09:03 > 0:09:06- ..while box after box of gold...
0:09:06 > 0:09:10- ..is transferred from the vaults - of local banks to the ship's hold.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14- According to newspaper reports...
0:09:14 > 0:09:18- ..the Royal Charter was carrying - over 60,000 ounces of pure gold...
0:09:19 > 0:09:22- ..and more than - 49,000 gold sovereigns...
0:09:22 > 0:09:25- ..worth 80 million - in today's money.
0:09:25 > 0:09:30- But it's likely there was - twice that amount in total...
0:09:30 > 0:09:34- ..since most of the passengers - hid their wealth...
0:09:34 > 0:09:38- ..in their suitcases, pockets, - shoes and skirt seams.
0:09:43 > 0:09:47- Once the captain eventually - signs the passenger list...
0:09:47 > 0:09:50- ..he and his ship - are ready to set sail.
0:09:55 > 0:09:57- But by the end of the night...
0:09:58 > 0:10:02- ..the Royal Charter - failed to depart on time.
0:10:04 > 0:10:06- Instead of setting sail...
0:10:06 > 0:10:10- ..it docks in the harbour - for another two days.
0:10:10 > 0:10:14- Perhaps the captain - is waiting for more passengers.
0:10:14 > 0:10:17- Perhaps the wind - isn't strong enough...
0:10:17 > 0:10:20- ..to steer the ship - through the narrow bay.
0:10:20 > 0:10:22- Whatever the reason...
0:10:23 > 0:10:26- ..the decision - not to set sail is unwise.
0:10:28 > 0:10:32- It is the first of many unwise - decisions that leads to its demise.
0:10:42 > 0:10:45- Near the village of Moelfre - on Anglesey...
0:10:46 > 0:10:50- ..the wreck of the Royal Charter - is close to shore.
0:10:50 > 0:10:53- It lies where it was shipwrecked....
0:10:53 > 0:10:56- ..within feet of the rocky coast.
0:10:58 > 0:11:02- The storm was so destructive - and the waves were so huge...
0:11:02 > 0:11:04- ..that the ship broke in two.
0:11:05 > 0:11:09- It's difficult to tell - what lies beneath the waves.
0:11:13 > 0:11:15- Daisy, can you take my watch?
0:11:15 > 0:11:19- But one man knows the wreck - like the back of his hand.
0:11:23 > 0:11:28- Vince has dived the Royal Charter - hundreds of times before.
0:11:28 > 0:11:32- Over the years, he has recovered - a number of objects.
0:11:32 > 0:11:36- Now, I'm able to take advantage - of his experience.
0:11:36 > 0:11:40- You must be Vince. - Pleased to meet you.
0:11:40 > 0:11:42- You've brought the weather.
0:11:44 > 0:11:49- Vince and the team have spent days - preparing for the dive.
0:11:50 > 0:11:54- Thousands of tonnes of sand - have covered the shipwreck.
0:11:54 > 0:11:57- The biggest task - is to clear the sludge...
0:11:58 > 0:12:00- ..to allow us - to dive into the wreck...
0:12:00 > 0:12:03- ..that has lured me - all the way from Australia.
0:12:07 > 0:12:10- I haven't been to Moelfre - in a very long time.
0:12:10 > 0:12:14- I remember coming with school and - learning about the ship's history.
0:12:14 > 0:12:16- It's a beautiful day today.
0:12:17 > 0:12:21- It's hard to believe that the sea - was so drastically different...
0:12:21 > 0:12:24- ..the night the ship ran aground.
0:12:24 > 0:12:26- It's also hard to believe...
0:12:26 > 0:12:30- ..that I would - go to such lengths and depths...
0:12:30 > 0:12:34- ..to recount this incredible story.
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0:12:40 > 0:12:40- Subtitles
0:12:40 > 0:12:42- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:12:42 > 0:12:45- It's a bright summer's day - in Moelfre...
0:12:46 > 0:12:49- ..but in 1859, - these beaches witnessed...
0:12:49 > 0:12:53- ..one of the biggest maritime - tragedies in British history.
0:12:53 > 0:12:57- The story begins - on the other side of the world.
0:13:03 > 0:13:08- By the time the Royal Charter sets - sail from Melbourne to Liverpool...
0:13:08 > 0:13:11- ..there are 520 passengers on deck.
0:13:11 > 0:13:16- Their experiences depend on the - price they paid for their tickets.
0:13:17 > 0:13:23- For 16 guineas, most travel - economy class, known as steerage...
0:13:23 > 0:13:26- ..and sleep in a large dormitory...
0:13:26 > 0:13:29- ..one on top of another.
0:13:29 > 0:13:34- Parties are held at night, - and gambling goes on secretly...
0:13:34 > 0:13:36- ..in the rat-infested privies.
0:13:41 > 0:13:45- For 75 guineas, - the wealthiest passengers...
0:13:45 > 0:13:49- ..travel in After Saloon, - or first class.
0:13:49 > 0:13:53- Each one has 40 feet of room...
0:13:53 > 0:13:57- ..twice as much - as other passengers on board.
0:13:57 > 0:13:59- They have private cabins - with windows.
0:14:00 > 0:14:05- The whole experience is like - sailing in a five-star hotel.
0:14:06 > 0:14:08- It has been a smooth voyage - thus far.
0:14:08 > 0:14:12- Only 59 days - after leaving Australia...
0:14:12 > 0:14:16- ..some passengers disembark - in Queenstown, Ireland...
0:14:16 > 0:14:20- ..before the ship sails - on the final leg of the voyage.
0:14:20 > 0:14:23- The passengers thank the captain - for a swift journey.
0:14:24 > 0:14:26- He in turn - promises to reach Liverpool...
0:14:26 > 0:14:30- ..and be "starboard side to Mrs - Taylor" by the following evening.
0:14:31 > 0:14:33- An audacious promise, - but an empty one.
0:14:36 > 0:14:40- There is a storm brewing - off the coast of Wales.
0:14:40 > 0:14:44- A storm the likes of which - the captain has never seen before.
0:14:45 > 0:14:47- It was certainly a violent storm...
0:14:47 > 0:14:51- ..measuring over 300 miles - in diameter.
0:14:53 > 0:14:58- Some believe the Royal Charter's - fate had been prophesied.
0:15:00 > 0:15:05- The weather had been very unusual - throughout 1859.
0:15:06 > 0:15:11- The two summers prior to the Royal - Charter storm had been very dry.
0:15:11 > 0:15:14- There's talk - that the Thames had dried up.
0:15:14 > 0:15:20- The weather leading up to the storm - had been very, very cold.
0:15:20 > 0:15:24- There were strange phenomena - in the sky too...
0:15:24 > 0:15:28- ..in the form of meteor storms - and sinister flashes on the horizon.
0:15:29 > 0:15:33- Towards the end of that summer, - the Aurora Borealis was very bright.
0:15:34 > 0:15:39- Passengers on board had even seen it - on their voyage from Australia.
0:15:42 > 0:15:47- Monday, 24 October 1859 - the final - night of the voyage to Liverpool.
0:15:48 > 0:15:50- Everything is as it should be.
0:15:52 > 0:15:56- In the kitchen, the crew - prepares a feast fit for a king.
0:15:56 > 0:15:59- For two months, - passengers in first class...
0:16:00 > 0:16:04- ..have been dining on cuisine - befitting that of a luxury hotel.
0:16:05 > 0:16:08- There has been - a steady supply of eggs, milk...
0:16:09 > 0:16:14- ..and fresh meat from the animals - that are also travelling on board.
0:16:16 > 0:16:20- In the grand salon, passengers - are sitting down to dinner.
0:16:23 > 0:16:25- They are feasting happily...
0:16:25 > 0:16:29- ..knowing they are nearing the end - of their voyage.
0:16:30 > 0:16:33- When the Royal Charter - left the Irish coast...
0:16:34 > 0:16:37- ..in the early hours - of Monday morning...
0:16:37 > 0:16:40- ..the ship - would have been in calm waters.
0:16:40 > 0:16:45- They wouldn't have been aware - of this violent storm to the south.
0:16:50 > 0:16:54- The storm has already damaged - dozens of ships and claimed lives.
0:16:54 > 0:16:59- As it makes its way northwards, - it gathers momentum.
0:17:02 > 0:17:05- Because it was moving so slowly...
0:17:06 > 0:17:09- ..it had the potential to cause - destruction on an epic scale.
0:17:14 > 0:17:16- As it approached Holyhead...
0:17:16 > 0:17:20- ..the captain could dock - in the harbour to take shelter.
0:17:20 > 0:17:23- But 50 years - before the advent of radio...
0:17:24 > 0:17:28- ..there's no way to alert him - about the impending storm...
0:17:28 > 0:17:30- ..so he steers straight ahead.
0:17:35 > 0:17:37- As he circles Anglesey...
0:17:37 > 0:17:41- ..the wind assists the journey - towards Liverpool.
0:17:41 > 0:17:46- But at 10.00pm, - the wind suddenly changes direction.
0:17:46 > 0:17:50- Gales exceeding 100mph - blow the ship towards the shore.
0:17:52 > 0:17:57- Despite the captain's efforts - to turn the ship around...
0:17:57 > 0:17:59- ..and head back out to sea...
0:17:59 > 0:18:03- ..the northerly winds - forced it against the rocks...
0:18:04 > 0:18:06- ..where it ran aground that night.
0:18:13 > 0:18:15- It was such a grave tragedy...
0:18:15 > 0:18:19- ..that a weather forecasting system - was put in place.
0:18:19 > 0:18:24- Within a year, a weather-warning - system was established in Britain.
0:18:27 > 0:18:30- Above the shipwreck's - exact location...
0:18:30 > 0:18:34- ..Vince and the team - are clearing the way for our dive.
0:18:34 > 0:18:38- Knowing how changeable - the weather can be...
0:18:38 > 0:18:41- ..everybody - is checking the forecast.
0:18:42 > 0:18:47- Everyone thinks we're interested - in whether it's sunny or raining.
0:18:47 > 0:18:52- We're in wetsuits, we don't care, - but this is the important thing.
0:18:53 > 0:18:57- The wind direction and strength - are the most important things.
0:18:58 > 0:19:02- If it's too windy, - the diving boats will collide.
0:19:03 > 0:19:04- We've got so much kit...
0:19:05 > 0:19:09- ..if someone cracks his head on a - compressor, that'd be the end of it.
0:19:11 > 0:19:15- But according to local man Ed, - it bodes well.
0:19:15 > 0:19:17- A south-westerly wind tomorrow...
0:19:18 > 0:19:21- ..so it'll be blowing - over our heads.
0:19:21 > 0:19:25- How much am I going to see? - An arm's length away?
0:19:25 > 0:19:28- Between five to eight feet...
0:19:28 > 0:19:31- ..so we'll be able - to see each other.
0:19:31 > 0:19:34- We'll be able - to see the top and the ship.
0:19:34 > 0:19:37- But it won't be like Australia.
0:19:37 > 0:19:40- We won't be able to see - for miles underwater!
0:19:44 > 0:19:47- It's the end of the day, - but the team is busier than ever...
0:19:48 > 0:19:52- ..filling the oxygen tanks - and debating my chances...
0:19:53 > 0:19:55- ..of uncovering treasure tomorrow.
0:19:58 > 0:20:03- I was eleven weeks before I found - my first bit of gold. Eleven weeks.
0:20:03 > 0:20:07- I wouldn't be negative, - but being realistic, they're slim.
0:20:07 > 0:20:11- Her chances of finding something - interesting are quite good.
0:20:13 > 0:20:15- They're not very warm!
0:20:16 > 0:20:19- You might be an expert - at finding treasure...
0:20:19 > 0:20:23- ..but Aussies can teach you - a thing or two about barbecues!
0:20:23 > 0:20:25- They've taken a little while.
0:20:28 > 0:20:32- The following morning, - the morning of the dive.
0:20:32 > 0:20:37- It's time to check the equipment - and whip the novice into shape.
0:20:37 > 0:20:42- I'll blow the sand away and anything - that shows, stop me and have a look.
0:20:47 > 0:20:49- Treasure!
0:20:52 > 0:20:57- Vince's daughter has accompanied - her father on countless dives.
0:20:57 > 0:21:00- Daisy tells me - that if we find treasure...
0:21:00 > 0:21:04- ..the way to let everyone know - is by squeaking.
0:21:04 > 0:21:07- No special sign, - just squeaking underwater!
0:21:08 > 0:21:11- Nigel is already down there, - having a look.
0:21:11 > 0:21:13- We're diving off two boats.
0:21:14 > 0:21:17- Get the boat off the trailer - as quick as possible.
0:21:18 > 0:21:22- The trick is to launch them - without them sinking into the sand.
0:21:22 > 0:21:26- I'll drive onto the beach - with the boat.
0:21:34 > 0:21:36- I haven't done this before.
0:21:37 > 0:21:39- Push!
0:21:55 > 0:21:57- There we go.
0:21:57 > 0:22:00- That was my bit of exercise - for the morning!
0:22:00 > 0:22:04- At least I know the suit works, - which is a good sign.
0:22:07 > 0:22:10- I'm in the hands of the meister now.
0:22:10 > 0:22:13- I'm looking forward - to the practice dive.
0:22:13 > 0:22:16- After that, - if everything works, we dive.
0:22:18 > 0:22:22- But when you're at the mercy of - the waves, things are never perfect.
0:22:22 > 0:22:25- Can somebody help me? Somebody?
0:22:26 > 0:22:28- And if I don't keep my head...
0:22:29 > 0:22:31- ..I'll be out of my depth.
0:22:31 > 0:22:33- Whoa, whoa, whoa! Stop! Stop!
0:22:34 > 0:22:38- When it comes to finding treasure, - hopefully Vince will come up trumps.
0:22:54 > 0:22:56- S4C Subtitles by Adnod Cyf.
0:22:56 > 0:22:56- .