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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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Shipwreck Found Off UK May Hold $1B in Treasure

Florida firm finds HMS Victory, lost in 1744

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(Newser) – A shipwreck that could contain treasure worth over $1 billion has been found in the English Channel, Reuters reports. Florida’s Odyssey Marine Exploration discovered the wreck of the HMS Victory, an English flagship that was lost in a storm in 1744 with all 900 crew—and a stash of gold coins weighing 4 tons in total, according to historical documents.

“Finding this shipwreck has solved one of the greatest shipwreck mysteries in history,” said Gregg Stemm, CEO of Odyssey. Stemm says the firm is aware of the dangers of unearthing sunken treasure: “There is some very strong evidence that there are some valuables on this wreck which may create a bit of a free-for-all and we just hope we will be able to keep the site hidden,” Stemm said.

Sir Robert Balchin stands by a painting of his ancestor Admiral John Balchin and HMS Victory at a press conference in London today.
Sir Robert Balchin stands by a painting of his ancestor Admiral John Balchin and HMS Victory at a press conference in London today.   (AP Photo)
In this photo released yesterday by Odyssey Marine Exploration, a remote vehicle measures the bore hole of a 42-pound bronze cannon on the shipwreck site of HMS Victory, in the English Channel.
In this photo released yesterday by Odyssey Marine Exploration, a remote vehicle measures the bore hole of a 42-pound bronze cannon on the shipwreck site of HMS Victory, in the English Channel.   (Odyssey Marine Exploration)
This photo released yesterday by Odyssey Marine Exploration shows a bronze cannon on the shipwreck site of HMS Victory in the English Channel.
This photo released yesterday by Odyssey Marine Exploration shows a bronze cannon on the shipwreck site of HMS Victory in the English Channel.   (Odyssey Marine Exploration)
Odyssey Marine used an 8-ton remotely operated vehicle named Zeus in its efforts to find the HMS Victory.
Odyssey Marine used an 8-ton remotely operated vehicle named Zeus in its efforts to find the HMS Victory.   (Odyssey Marine Exploration)
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boom
Feb 2, 09 4:46 PM CST
Now let's hope the archaeologists make it there before the antiquarians do. Reply
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shipwreck • ship • treasure • history • Britain • gold coins • Odyssey Marine Exploration • HMS Victory

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