0:00:00 > 0:00:00- Subtitles
0:00:00 > 0:00:02- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:00:03 > 0:00:05- In the early hours - of 26 October 1859...
0:00:06 > 0:00:09- ..on the final leg of its voyage - from Melbourne to Liverpool...
0:00:09 > 0:00:15- ..the Royal Charter ran aground in a - raging storm off the Anglesey coast.
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- Gold worth 80m that was acquired - in the Australian gold rush...
0:00:32 > 0:00:34- ..and stored as cargo...
0:00:34 > 0:00:38- ..or hidden by passengers - on their person, was also lost.
0:00:38 > 0:00:42- Much of the treasure - still lies beneath the waves.
0:00:43 > 0:00:47- I'm on the hunt - 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.
0:01:24 > 0:01:30- Daybreak on Anglesey and I'm given a - crash course in diving for treasure.
0:01:32 > 0:01:35- Do I look like a seal or a whale?
0:01:35 > 0:01:40- It's easy for you to criticize - from the comfort of your sofa!
0:01:43 > 0:01:46- I've never dived - in cold water before.
0:01:46 > 0:01:52- Since we're filming, I have to wear - a special mask which records audio.
0:01:53 > 0:01:56- I'm just worried - about that seal at the moment.
0:01:56 > 0:01:59- If it doesn't fit perfectly...
0:01:59 > 0:02:01- ..it's not safe to dive.
0:02:02 > 0:02:06- The shape of my head is the problem. - Great!
0:02:09 > 0:02:13- It's not tight against my head, - so water could get inside...
0:02:13 > 0:02:15- ..which isn't great.
0:02:16 > 0:02:19- The only way to test it - is by going in the water.
0:02:23 > 0:02:28- What's the difference between diving - in Wales and diving in Australia?
0:02:29 > 0:02:33- Goodness gracious me, - Hywel Gwynfryn, it's cold!
0:02:35 > 0:02:37- # Hallelujah #
0:02:39 > 0:02:44- If you think walking in stilettos - after a glass of wine is hard...
0:02:44 > 0:02:46- ..try a pair of flippers!
0:02:53 > 0:02:54- OK, testing.
0:02:55 > 0:02:58- It's a sunny day in Moelfre - and I'm playing with a new mask.
0:02:59 > 0:03:01- The audio is working perfectly.
0:03:01 > 0:03:03- Do we just go under?
0:03:03 > 0:03:06- But Vince is unhappy.
0:03:06 > 0:03:09- I can get my finger in. - You've got no seal at all.
0:03:10 > 0:03:12- My mask is letting in water.
0:03:12 > 0:03:16- That's fully tight. - There's nothing more there.
0:03:16 > 0:03:20- Can we swap? - That might be a smaller mask.
0:03:20 > 0:03:22- You can. Alright, we'll do a swap.
0:03:22 > 0:03:24- That's great.
0:03:25 > 0:03:28- Vince's mask is a better fit.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31- That is a mystery.
0:03:31 > 0:03:33- The mask is watertight.
0:03:33 > 0:03:37- I can dive now, and hopefully, - we'll find some treasure.
0:03:37 > 0:03:40- I'm starting to get excited now.
0:03:45 > 0:03:50- The story of how the Royal Charter - ran aground is etched on the mind.
0:03:51 > 0:03:54- After it was shipwrecked...
0:03:54 > 0:03:57- ..a major investigation - was launched.
0:03:57 > 0:04:00- Survivors gave - detailed evidence of the last night.
0:04:01 > 0:04:03- They gave a blow-by-blow account.
0:04:04 > 0:04:07- By Tuesday 25 October...
0:04:07 > 0:04:09- ..60 days after leaving Melbourne...
0:04:10 > 0:04:14- ..it's clear the ship - won't reach Liverpool before dark.
0:04:14 > 0:04:17- The weather - has been worsening all day.
0:04:19 > 0:04:22- By eight o'clock, - the sea is turbulent.
0:04:25 > 0:04:27- At 10 o'clock, - it turns into a hurricane.
0:04:28 > 0:04:33- The wind that had previously aided - the ship suddenly changes direction.
0:04:33 > 0:04:37- The Royal Charter's engine - is no match for the storm...
0:04:38 > 0:04:41- ..which tosses it to the shore.
0:04:41 > 0:04:45- The captain commands that the masts - be turned to face the wind.
0:04:49 > 0:04:53- The crew tries three times to follow - the command and fails every time.
0:04:53 > 0:04:56- The ship - continues veering to the shore.
0:05:00 > 0:05:03- It is now blowing a 100mph gale.
0:05:05 > 0:05:08- The captain has only one option.
0:05:08 > 0:05:14- To drop anchor and hope that - the vessel will overpower the storm.
0:05:23 > 0:05:25- We're just waiting now.
0:05:26 > 0:05:29- We're changing batteries - and sorting out the cameras...
0:05:30 > 0:05:32- ..before getting in the water.
0:05:32 > 0:05:38- The only thing I'm worried about - is getting in the way...
0:05:38 > 0:05:40- ..when we're underwater.
0:05:40 > 0:05:44- Vince will swim like that - and blow the sand...
0:05:44 > 0:05:48- ..while I'm meant to be - at a 90-degree angle to him...
0:05:48 > 0:05:51- ..searching for treasure.
0:05:51 > 0:05:55- That's the only thing. I'll - enjoy myself once I'm down there.
0:05:56 > 0:05:58- I just don't want to get in the way.
0:05:58 > 0:06:00- I just don't want to get in the way.- - 15 minutes and I'm in the water.
0:06:00 > 0:06:02- I'll change the battery now.
0:06:02 > 0:06:06- Michael, the underwater cameraman, - is eager to start.
0:06:07 > 0:06:10- Vince and I - took a long time testing the mask.
0:06:10 > 0:06:14- And now we're fighting the current.
0:06:14 > 0:06:18- As the big moment approaches, - my stomach starts churning.
0:06:20 > 0:06:23- The last thing I want - is to let the team down.
0:06:30 > 0:06:32- I feel under pressure.
0:06:32 > 0:06:35- It's incredibly heavy.
0:06:35 > 0:06:40- It feels like - I'm carrying a horse on my back.
0:06:44 > 0:06:48- The most important thing - is not to panic underwater...
0:06:49 > 0:06:53- ..and use up all the oxygen so I - have to come back up in 10 minutes.
0:06:55 > 0:06:59- I have to take it easy - and remain calm underwater.
0:07:00 > 0:07:02- Before diving into - the historic wreck...
0:07:02 > 0:07:07- ..I can't help but wonder what went - through the passengers' minds...
0:07:07 > 0:07:12- ..in those final moments - before the sea claimed their lives?
0:07:17 > 0:07:22- Shortly after midnight, and the ship - has been anchored for hours.
0:07:22 > 0:07:27- The captain leaves the helm and goes - to the kitchen to fetch a coffee.
0:07:28 > 0:07:30- But he has no time to drink it.
0:07:34 > 0:07:39- The chain from the first anchor - breaks suddenly.
0:07:39 > 0:07:41- As huge waves pound the ship...
0:07:42 > 0:07:45- ..the other anchor - is unable to take the strain.
0:07:46 > 0:07:49- That chain also breaks.
0:07:53 > 0:07:57- The captain orders the masts to be - cut to reduce the wind's effect.
0:08:00 > 0:08:02- Passengers - are crying and praying...
0:08:03 > 0:08:07- ..and mothers - hold on tightly to their children...
0:08:07 > 0:08:11- ..when suddenly the ship - hits a sand bank beneath the waves.
0:08:15 > 0:08:18- "We've been spared," - shouts the captain.
0:08:18 > 0:08:23- "The tide is going out and within 10 - minutes, we'll walk to the shore."
0:08:32 > 0:08:35- Cameraman Michael - is the first to dive.
0:08:44 > 0:08:49- After Vince, - there's only one person left.
0:09:10 > 0:09:14- Here we are, underwater. - The current is very strong.
0:09:19 > 0:09:21- Aargh! Ow!
0:09:23 > 0:09:27- Suddenly something goes wrong.
0:09:27 > 0:09:29- Can somebody help me?
0:09:29 > 0:09:33- The mask is letting in water.
0:09:33 > 0:09:35- There's water in the mask.
0:09:36 > 0:09:38- The kit is weighing me down.
0:09:41 > 0:09:46- The trick is not to panic, but - I'm completely out of my depth.
0:09:49 > 0:09:52- Michael comes to my aid.
0:09:52 > 0:09:54- I've lost the fin!
0:09:55 > 0:09:57- You stay there.
0:09:59 > 0:10:03- Once I'm back on the boat, - Michael takes over.
0:10:03 > 0:10:05- We haven't got much longer.
0:10:06 > 0:10:11- If the mask can't be adjusted, - it's the end of the road for me.
0:10:11 > 0:10:15- It has to be secured to your head - or you can't go underwater.
0:10:16 > 0:10:20- Special wax is applied to the mask, - which will hopefully seal it.
0:10:21 > 0:10:23- How does that feel?
0:10:23 > 0:10:25- Good? Right.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30- With lighter equipment, - I may still have a chance.
0:10:33 > 0:10:35- Stand by.
0:10:35 > 0:10:38- But the current gets stronger.
0:10:38 > 0:10:40- A rope is tied - from the boat to the shore...
0:10:41 > 0:10:43- ..in case we're all swept away.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47- If we lose somebody, - the drill is, we all surface.
0:10:48 > 0:10:50- If someone lost their bearings...
0:10:51 > 0:10:54- ..one body'll drift off - and you guys won't know.
0:10:55 > 0:11:00- I give it one more try and put - all my faith in Michael and Vince.
0:11:02 > 0:11:04- OK, stay on the line, OK?
0:11:04 > 0:11:06- Stay on the line.
0:11:14 > 0:11:18- We're going underwater - and following a line.
0:11:20 > 0:11:22- We've hit a junction...
0:11:22 > 0:11:26- ..and now we're following - another line down to the seabed.
0:11:29 > 0:11:32- I'm finally - plumbing the depths of a story...
0:11:33 > 0:11:35- ..that has - captivated me for so long.
0:11:38 > 0:11:39- .
0:11:40 > 0:11:40- Subtitles
0:11:40 > 0:11:42- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:11:42 > 0:11:45- It's 6.00am - on the Anglesey headland.
0:11:45 > 0:11:50- The curtain rises for the final act - of the Royal Charter tragedy.
0:11:51 > 0:11:55- When the captain promised - that the tide was going out...
0:11:55 > 0:11:57- ..he was wide of the mark.
0:11:58 > 0:12:00- The tide was coming in...
0:12:00 > 0:12:04- ..and fiercely pushing - the ship to the shore.
0:12:06 > 0:12:10- One brave man - has tied a rope and a bosun chair...
0:12:10 > 0:12:12- ..from the helm to the shore.
0:12:12 > 0:12:15- Only the strongest - has any hope of surviving.
0:12:19 > 0:12:24- As water seeps into the cabins, - sheer panic sets in.
0:12:30 > 0:12:34- Suddenly, - one huge wave elevates the ship...
0:12:34 > 0:12:37- ..and thrusts it - against the rocks...
0:12:37 > 0:12:40- ..where it breaks in two.
0:12:44 > 0:12:46- At twenty minutes past seven...
0:12:46 > 0:12:50- ..the sea swallows - all the remaining passengers.
0:12:52 > 0:12:55- 497 people drowned.
0:12:57 > 0:13:02- And now I'm swimming among remnants - of life and its lost treasures.
0:13:04 > 0:13:07- That's the Royal Charter.
0:13:07 > 0:13:09- There's much more of it over by me.
0:13:09 > 0:13:13- I'm holding on - to the actual ship. Wow!
0:13:14 > 0:13:15- We'll start here.
0:13:15 > 0:13:17- We'll start here.- - OK, start blowing, Vince.
0:13:17 > 0:13:21- Vince is going to blow the sand - while I search.
0:13:22 > 0:13:24- He's blowing.
0:13:24 > 0:13:26- It's like a circus here.
0:13:27 > 0:13:29- Whoa, whoa, whoa! Stop, stop, stop!
0:13:31 > 0:13:33- It's hard to see anything.
0:13:37 > 0:13:40- Vince has dived - more than 200 times...
0:13:40 > 0:13:45- ..and recovered gems, - sovereigns and blocks of gold.
0:13:46 > 0:13:47- I must be able to find something.
0:13:47 > 0:13:49- I must be able to find something.- - There's some glass.
0:13:49 > 0:13:51- Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!
0:13:51 > 0:13:53- It's beautiful.
0:13:54 > 0:13:56- It's not quite gold...
0:13:56 > 0:14:01- ..but this is the dinner service - they would've eaten from.
0:14:01 > 0:14:03- OK, Vince?
0:14:04 > 0:14:07- But we're not the first - to scour these waters.
0:14:07 > 0:14:10- Within a week of the shipwreck...
0:14:10 > 0:14:15- ..divers tried to salvage the gold - on behalf of Lloyds, the insurers.
0:14:15 > 0:14:19- 15 men - dived continuously for a month...
0:14:19 > 0:14:23- ..salvaging 23 chests, - 199 gold bars...
0:14:23 > 0:14:25- ..more than 3,300 sovereigns...
0:14:25 > 0:14:28- ..along with 400lbs of gold-dust.
0:14:28 > 0:14:33- The haul was around 80% - of the official total.
0:14:33 > 0:14:38- But passengers were - also carrying personal treasures.
0:14:39 > 0:14:42- Despite the efforts of others...
0:14:42 > 0:14:46- ..Vince is certain - there's plenty of gold left...
0:14:46 > 0:14:48- ..to make me a millionaire.
0:14:48 > 0:14:50- Wow!
0:14:52 > 0:14:55- We must be - in the canteen here, guys.
0:14:55 > 0:14:58- Here's another piece of crockery.
0:14:58 > 0:15:01- The trick is to search - where no-one has dived before.
0:15:02 > 0:15:05- An area which Vince - refers to as chaos ground.
0:15:06 > 0:15:08- Suddenly, among the crockery...
0:15:09 > 0:15:11- SHE SQUEALS
0:15:11 > 0:15:13- I've found...
0:15:15 > 0:15:17- Not gold, but money of some kind.
0:15:17 > 0:15:20- It's beautiful!
0:15:20 > 0:15:22- I've found treasure!
0:15:24 > 0:15:27- That's Victoria on the back.
0:15:28 > 0:15:32- These finds must be kept - in a special place underwater.
0:15:32 > 0:15:34- No, up your cuff maybe.
0:15:35 > 0:15:37- Yeah, right up there.
0:15:38 > 0:15:41- He's blowing the sand again.
0:15:45 > 0:15:49- Without sounding greedy, - I'd love to find a piece of gold.
0:15:53 > 0:15:55- Whoa, whoa, whoa!
0:15:55 > 0:15:57- No, a stone.
0:15:58 > 0:16:01- But time flies - when you're hunting for treasure.
0:16:04 > 0:16:07- We've got - no more than five minutes or so.
0:16:07 > 0:16:09- That's alright.
0:16:10 > 0:16:12- With our oxygen tanks - almost empty...
0:16:13 > 0:16:14- ..Vince spots something.
0:16:15 > 0:16:18- Over the rock there. - Natural and life-like.
0:16:18 > 0:16:20- No way!
0:16:24 > 0:16:28- Gold is cunning. - It's twice the weight of iron.
0:16:28 > 0:16:32- It sinks - and hides deep within the mud.
0:16:32 > 0:16:35- You can see how people come unstuck.
0:16:38 > 0:16:41- Ho-ho!
0:16:41 > 0:16:43- I've struck gold!
0:16:45 > 0:16:47- Look at that.
0:16:48 > 0:16:50- Gold.
0:16:54 > 0:16:56- That's come from - someone's gold belt.
0:17:00 > 0:17:02- Are you happy if you take that one?
0:17:15 > 0:17:18- Our treasure hunt is over.
0:17:18 > 0:17:23- It'll be interesting - to see what we've salvaged...
0:17:23 > 0:17:25- ..once we're on the surface.
0:17:25 > 0:17:28- That was a wonderful experience.
0:17:39 > 0:17:42- The Royal Charter disaster - put Moelfre on the map.
0:17:42 > 0:17:47- Within days, the story had made - the headlines all over the world.
0:17:50 > 0:17:52- Charles Dickens visited the scene...
0:17:53 > 0:17:58- ..and subsequently wrote the book, - The Uncommercial Traveller.
0:17:58 > 0:18:02- The hero of Dickens's story - is Rev Stephen Roose Hughes...
0:18:03 > 0:18:07- ..the rector of St Gallgo, a church - situated close to the shipwreck.
0:18:08 > 0:18:11- Hughes paid - 10 shillings of his own money...
0:18:11 > 0:18:15- ..for every corpse - that was brought to the church.
0:18:21 > 0:18:24- As more and more bodies - were washed ashore...
0:18:24 > 0:18:27- ..the church - was turned into a temporary morgue.
0:18:28 > 0:18:30- A total of 140 people - were buried here.
0:18:41 > 0:18:43- Following in Dickens's footsteps...
0:18:44 > 0:18:48- ..I've come to the church to meet - local historian Gwilym Hawse...
0:18:48 > 0:18:53- ..who regularly lays flowers - at the grave of the story's hero.
0:18:55 > 0:18:57- He did his best...
0:18:58 > 0:19:02- ..to ensure - that every body was identified.
0:19:02 > 0:19:05- Dismembered parts - were washed ashore...
0:19:05 > 0:19:10- ..along with corpses - with their legs and heads missing.
0:19:10 > 0:19:13- They had obviously been mutilated.
0:19:13 > 0:19:17- It must have been - incredibly harrowing for him.
0:19:17 > 0:19:19- Goodness me.
0:19:19 > 0:19:23- You can't imagine - how hard it must have been for him.
0:19:24 > 0:19:27- The strain - had impacted on his health.
0:19:27 > 0:19:31- He only lived for two and - a half years after the disaster.
0:19:32 > 0:19:36- He must've suffered - from post-traumatic stress.
0:19:36 > 0:19:39- Yes. He was only 46 when he died.
0:19:42 > 0:19:44- Grave after grave.
0:19:45 > 0:19:47- Name after name.
0:19:49 > 0:19:51- Each one with their own story.
0:19:53 > 0:19:55- Whose grave is this?
0:19:55 > 0:19:58- There are 11 buried in this grave.
0:19:59 > 0:20:01- Two sisters - Davies and Fenwick.
0:20:02 > 0:20:04- They each had four children.
0:20:04 > 0:20:08- Mr Davies's body - was recovered soon afterwards...
0:20:08 > 0:20:11- ..but it took longer - to find Mrs Davies's body.
0:20:12 > 0:20:15- She and her two children - were later found.
0:20:15 > 0:20:19- The body of one of her daughters - was washed up on the Isle Of Man.
0:20:20 > 0:20:23- The tide - had obviously swept her away.
0:20:40 > 0:20:46- Since my dive, - Vince has returned to the wreck.
0:20:46 > 0:20:48- He has something to show me.
0:20:49 > 0:20:51- Wow!
0:20:52 > 0:20:54- The treasures I salvaged are here...
0:20:55 > 0:20:56- There's yours from yesterday.
0:20:56 > 0:20:58- There's yours from yesterday.- - ..but there's much more besides.
0:20:59 > 0:21:03- That's been through - a treacherous storm.
0:21:03 > 0:21:06- Some of the things - were salvaged years ago...
0:21:06 > 0:21:09- ..and some are new finds.
0:21:09 > 0:21:12- That's incredible. Someone's watch.
0:21:12 > 0:21:16- All the watches stopped at 7.20, - when everyone went in the sea.
0:21:16 > 0:21:20- Coins, nuggets and relics.
0:21:20 > 0:21:26- All these belonged to - the passengers on board, but who?
0:21:26 > 0:21:28- It's got a name on.
0:21:28 > 0:21:31- Edward Bennett.
0:21:31 > 0:21:33- Vince has kept the best till last.
0:21:36 > 0:21:37- Gold!
0:21:37 > 0:21:41- Remember we found the nugget? - These are its cousins.
0:21:41 > 0:21:44- You can see it's the same.
0:21:45 > 0:21:48- It's come from the same vein.
0:21:48 > 0:21:50- The most beautiful thing we found...
0:21:50 > 0:21:53- The most beautiful thing we found...- - This is a very special piece.
0:21:53 > 0:21:56- A very delicate gold ring...
0:21:57 > 0:21:59- ..with an opal stone set the middle.
0:21:59 > 0:22:03- Look how small it is. - That was very precious to someone.
0:22:03 > 0:22:08- But who? - That's what I want to find out next.
0:22:08 > 0:22:14- Am I crazy for thinking we can marry - the passengers' names to the relics?
0:22:17 > 0:22:22- There's only one place to go - to find out. Home.
0:22:22 > 0:22:26- The other home.
0:22:26 > 0:22:30- Next time
0:22:31 > 0:22:34- Australia - is the starting point of the story.
0:22:35 > 0:22:38- Here in the archives...
0:22:38 > 0:22:43- ..I'm going to search for clues - to solve this detective story.
0:22:43 > 0:22:46- "Committed suicide - by cutting his throat."
0:22:46 > 0:22:49- But every Sherlock needs a Watson.
0:22:49 > 0:22:52- And only one man fits the bill.
0:22:54 > 0:22:59- Say goodbye to the snow, Vince. Make - sure you've packed the sunscreen!
0:23:14 > 0:23:17- S4C Subtitles by Adnod Cyf.
0:23:17 > 0:23:18- .