Exploration of ill-fated SS Gairsoppa reveals treasure from the deep
FOR many, the uncharted depths of the ocean floor represent Earth’s final frontier — a dark and dangerous realm with infinite possibilities. Over the centuries, the hunt for sunken treasure has captured imaginations and inspired dreams of adventure and discovery. Last week’s haul of 61 tons of bullion from the SS Gairsoppa, a British cargo ship that sank in 1941 about 300 miles off the Galway coast, served to underline the riches still awaiting discovery in the murky depths.
Odyssey Marine, the Florida-based specialists in deep-water exploration and salvage, recovered almost 100% of the insured silver from the ship. In a series of recovery operations that began in 2012, the company has recovered 2,792 silver bars from the ship, weighing over 1.8m troy ounces. All of the bars are of .999 high-purity silver, and stamped with the brand HM Mint Bombay.
