Excavating a sunken ship containing 13 tons of gold

An American ocean exploration company is excavating the wreck of the SS Central America, which was carrying 13.6 tons of gold and sank 157 years ago.

Two gold bars were recovered from the wreck of the SS Central America in April this year. Photo: Odyssey Marine Exploration

The SS Central America, carrying 13.6 tons of gold, sank in a storm on September 12, 1857. The "gold ship" sank about 260 km off the coast of South Carolina. In 1988, the wreck was located, leading to efforts to bring the treasure to the surface. However, only 5% of the value of this huge gold treasure was recovered.

According to Live Science, Odyssey is an American ocean exploration company that has been granted permission to continue excavating this area this year. During the first search in April, the divers retrieved five gold bars and two gold coins from the shipwreck. So far, they have collected more than 15,500 gold and silver coins and 45 gold bars.

To serve the treasure excavation mission, Odyssey conducted high-resolution video surveys at the site of the sunken ship, evaluated data, and repaired the Odyssey Explorer rescue ship. In that area, they also discovered many precious jewelry, gold ore; 19th-century objects such as glass bottles, chewing tobacco; some personal items such as perfume bottles, gold pendants, gold-plated bracelets...

Under the agreement, Odyssey received 80% of the value of the artifacts recovered from the SS Central America. After deducting fees for the financial support unit, Odyssey was left with 45%.

The SS Central America sailed from New York to San Francisco during the California Gold Rush. It was carrying gold bars and Double Eagle coins when it sank. The sinking caused many banks in the United States to collapse, leading to the Panic of 1857 and a three-year economic depression.

The ship was carrying 571 passengers and crew. A failed rescue attempt during the storm left 425 people dead.

According to VnExpress