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Sunken Gold Ship Found, Now Where's the Loot?

Trawler was abanoned and sank off Argentina in mysterious circumstances

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Jun 20, 2009 7:59 AM CDT

(Newser) – The wreck of a trawler carrying $18 million in gold and silver that sank in January has been found off the coast of Argentina, the BBC reports. The big question: Does it still have the loot aboard? Rescuers hired by the main insurer, Lloyd's of London, plan to send down a robotic submersible but have been prevented from doing so by harsh weather.

The Polar Mist had been en route from gold mines in Argentina to Europe when the crew abandoned it in a heavy storm. Another vessel subsequently tried to tow it ashore but failed, and the ship sank. Insurance companies have raised questions about its route, the circumstances under which it was abandoned, and why someone had the bright idea to transport 9.5 tons of gold in a fishing boat.

The refitted fishing trawler Polar Mist sails abandoned in the Straits of Magellan on Jan. 18, 2009. It sank soon afterwards. (AP Photo/Argentina Navy Press Office)

The Polar Mist sank carrying tons of gold bullion from mines in southern Argentina. (Shutter Stock)

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Sunken Gold Ship Found, Now Where's the Loot?

Trawler was abanoned and sank off Argentina in mysterious circumstances

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Argentina Going to UN Over Falklands Dispute

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Treasure Hunter: I Found $3B Shipwreck

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Sunken Gold Ship Found, Now Where's the Loot?

Trawler was abanoned and sank off Argentina in mysterious circumstances

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

shipwreck • Argentina • shipping • gold

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

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More Newser Stories

Sean Penn, Brits Bicker Over Falklands

Actor slams 'ludicrous colonialist ideology'

Californian Busted for Lucrative Illegal Gold Mine

Sierra Nevada digger hit with environmental charges

Argentina Going to UN Over Falklands Dispute

Kirchner rips planned destroyer, Prince William deployment

238 Saved, 112 Still Missing in Ferry Wreck

No bodies yet found in Papua New Guinea wreck

Treasure Hunter: I Found $3B Shipwreck

But the British, others have their doubts

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