Treasure hunters have struck gold while diving a wreck thought to have sunk with tens of millions of dollars worth of currency.
The Steamship North Carolina, a 200ft long side wheel steamer, sank on July 25, 1840, after colliding with her sister ship, the Governor Dudley, 20 miles off the South Carolina coast.
And while all passengers and crew were able to escape from one ship to the other, their cargo was lost – including a hoard of gold coins.
Now, after months of archaeological field work, divers from Blue Water Ventures International (BWVI) and Endurance Exploration Group have confirmed the presence of gold at the wreck site.
Several gold coins were recovered in the first dive and it’s hoped that subsequent dives will reveal coins minted at the short-lived Dahlonega mint, which would now be valuable collectors’ items.
The location where the coins were found is commonly referred to as the 'Copper Pot' by divers. A dive organiser to the spot adds that the North Carolina's boiler, shaft and hull are all still in one piece beneath 80 feet of water.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7558001/Treasure-hunters-uncover-pristine-gold-coins-wreckage-19th-Century-South-Caroline-shipwreck.html
