The Sinking of SS France

The Western Times Friday June 2nd 1939

CULLOMPTON COMMANDER'S ROMANTIC CAREER

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Leader of two expeditions to tropical waters in search of lost treasure, Capt. James Plumpton, of Cullompton, is now in Georgetown Hospital convalescing after a terrifying experience in which he drifted for four days in the sea on the wreckage of his ship, the France, after it had foundered in a storm 33 miles off the coast of British Guiana.

Other men were rescued in a similar manner, but one. Mr Frank Cooper of Yeovil was on Saturday reported to be still missing.

This information was contained in a cablegram to Mrs. M. T. Foster, of Cullompton, Capt. Plumpton's sister, who said, however, that her brother had given up treasure hunting and was now engaged in the merchant service.

A STORY OF ROMANCE

The association of Capt. Plumpton and Mr Frank Cooper in search for treasure is a romantic story.

In 1932 Capt. Plumpton, lured by the hint of treasures buried in the far-off Cocos Islands centuries ago by buccaneers, set sail from Brixham in a former trawler, the Vigilant, with a crew of adventure-loving friends. Storms and privations of many descriptions impeded the voyagers, and they were unsuccessful in locating the treasure. The Vigilant arrived back in April 1933, battered and buffeted in a journey of 11,000 eventful miles and leaking from the effects of the ravages of the notorious Toledo worm. ( This is incorrect reporting as The Vigilant never returned to the UK)

Capt. Plumpton, who stated that his return had been due to private affairs, wrote a book, "Treasure Cruise", about his experiences.

TRIED AGAIN

Undaunted by the failure, he resolved to try again, and in 1935 set sail once more, this time in the company of Mr. Cooper who was acting as gold diviner. The object of the search was two Spanish galleons, in a hidden bay of secret location, which were supposed to have been scuppered, full of gold and silver, to avoid capture in the year 1795. Even the guns of these ships were reputed to be of 60 per cent silver.

The two men took with them their own patent appliances and treasure finding apparatus. Capt. Plumpton went to the admiralty to study and and new charts of the treasure laden seas.

They held a concession from the Government for three years for the trip, and fifty percent of whatever they found, was to go to the crown.

It is understood that the British steamer France, which foundered on Tuesday last week, was engaged in the merchant service , and that Capt. Plumpton had given up the search for gold for some time. Mr Cooper had also , it is understood joined the merchant service.

The vessel was carrying a cargo of dynamite to be used in an oil survey being carried out in Guinana, and left Trinidad more than a week ago. She went down win very heavy seas. Altogether, four men have been rescued, the first of whom had clung to a petrol drum for four days after the wreck.

COMMANDER PLUMPTON'S RECORD

Our Cullompton representative writes: Commander James Plumpton the owner and commander of the s.s. France is a native of Cullompton, being the eldest son of the late Mr. Peter Plumpton and brother of the Mr. William Plumpton, the well-known engineer of the town. His age is 59 years.

He was educated at West Buckland School, and on leaving school had a determination for the sea. He went to London, where he was apprenticed to Messrs. John Brown and Co. and on the Yallaroi traded between London and Australia. He rapidly passed all his examinations and came out with an Extra Master's certificate. He afterwards joined the P. & O. Company as a mate, his first ship being the Simla. On the outbreak of the War, he joined the Royal Navy, and after training on HMS Devonshire was posted to H.M.S Prince George, one of the first to reach Suvla Bay and the last to leave.

Comdr. Plumpton was demobilised about 1920 and came back to Cullompton, but the spirit of adventure was too strong for him and striking a partnership with a Mr. Cooper from from Yeovil they purchased a boat and sailed for the West Indies, where they traded between the various islands for four years.

MR FRANK COOPER OF YEOVIL

Telephoning on Monday from Yeovil, a representative stated: Mrs Frank Cooper, of Highfield, Yeovil is wondering about the fate of her husband, a glove manufacturer, who is said to have had the power of gold divining and used this gift in search of Pacific treasure.

Nearly fours years ago, Mr. Cooper who had been home only six months from a treasure hunt to the Cocos Islands, under the command of Capt. James Plumpton, of Cullompton, Devon, decided on a life at sea.

He joined Capt. James Plumpton again on board the British steamer France, of 170 tons. Now, according to a Reuter message, the France, loaded with dynamite, has sunk in the Atlantic. Capt. Plumpton and three of the crew are returning after having been rescued but Frank Cooper who was the ship's engineer, is not accounted for.

Mrs Cooper who carries on the family glove business, with the help of her two daughters, in Yeovil states: "We last saw Frank about four years ago. That was when he retuned from the Cocos expedition. We then thought that he had given up his life of adventure, but it was of no use: he went off again. He wrote from time to time, seemingly quite happy". "But," added Mrs Cooper with tears in her eyes, "I think he is gone now. I should very much like to think he is safe somewhere, but somehow I cannot really believe it is possible. We were pals from childhood, and even in those days he always wanted to go to sea."