Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Divers Go Deep for Trinkets and Treasure

From MSNBC Itineraries by Rob Lovitt.

The MANTOLA was a British ship sunk off Ireland in 1917 by a torpedo.  It is believed there might be 20 tons of silver aboard, worth $18 million.  It was found in early October 2011 by Odyssey Marine Exploration based out of Tampa, Florida.

In September, the same company found the GAIRSOPPA, also off Ireland, but sunk in World War II with supposedly 240 tons of silver.  Both ships had been owned by the British India Steam Navigation Company.  (I wrote at length about the sinking of the Gairsoppa in my Tattooed On Your Soul World War II blog.)

The MANTOLA was carrying 18 passengers and 165 crew members.  Its captain was David James Chivas, great nephew of the Chivas brothers, makers of Chivas Regal Scotch.

I'll Drink to That Silver.  --DaCoot

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