Jasper County Democrat, Volume 22, Number 49, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 September 1919 — DREDGING OCEAN FOR JEWELS [ARTICLE]

DREDGING OCEAN FOR JEWELS

Company Has Faith That Exploration of South African Sea Bed Will Be Profitable. ■■■■ > Word comes from London that a company with powerful financial backing has been formed to dredge the ocean bed along the southwest coast of Africa and the sands along the adjacent shore for diamonds. The demand for diamonds is now so great that the mines of South Africa cannot supply the market. This is due to the fact that the war crippled the mining industry and at the same time increased the distribution of wealth, especially in neutral countries. Men and women are wearing diamonds today who a few years ago never dreamed pf possessing such expensive ornaments. For some years a large diamond chimney has been known to exist at the bottom of the sea near Luederltz bay, on the southwest coast of Africa. The sand dunes along the shore have become richly Imbedded with diamonds washed up from the submarine deposits. These dunes have been mined with fine results. The new company is prepared to begin mining operations at an early date. The English government will get 40 per cent of the diamonds found- Two well-known South African interests are backing the undertaking. The sub-

merged chimney is the only diamond mine ever located on the bottom of the sea.