From Ocean Depths

Galveston Daily News
July 13, 1900, Galveston, Texas

From Ocean Depths.     Peculiar Find of P. J. MeNeel at High Island.

Mr. P. J. McNeel of High Island made an unusual find on the beach at that point a few days ago which made him a richer man by several dollars. The Beach for several yards was strewn with beeswax aggregating about 500 pounds in weight. It is not a usual thing for beeswax to float ashore, and as beeswax is not a product of the sea, Mr. McNeel was puzzled as to the source of his find. Being of an inquisitive turn of mind, he investigated and some ancient history was resurrected.

It seems that about forty-six years ago -some old inhabitant may fix the time at fourty-six years and one month -a Spanish vessel from Mexico bound for some Mexican port to New York, sunk off High Island
coast. Part of her cargo was beeswax, and after remaining at the bottom of the ocean for nearly half a century it finally drifted ashore. The wax in fine condition and Mr. McNeel found little difficulty in
disposing of it at a good figure. thanks to Historical Honeybee