Menu
19/07/2012
48-Tonnes Of Silver Recovered From Ship Wreck Off Galway Coast
A 48-tonne haul of silver bullion has been recovered from a shipwreck three miles beneath the Atlantic off the coast of Ireland.
Deep ocean exploration firm Odyssey Marine Exploration found the 1,203 bars of the precious metal on board the SS Gairsoppa which sank in February 1941, 300 miles south west of Galway.
The record-breaking recovery of the treasure - equivalent to 1.4 million troy ounces of silver - is the heaviest and deepest ever recovery of precious metals from a shipwreck, according to the Florida-based company.
Greg Stemm, Odyssey chief executive, said it was a complex operation in international waters.
The Gairsoppa was a merchant ship torpedoed by a German U-boat during the Second World War while the British government, under their War Risk Insurance programme, was using it.
An insurance payment of £325,000 (€414,716) - the value in 1941 - was made by the government to the owners of the silver cargo which allowed the state to claim ownership.
Odyssey said some sources, including Lloyd's War Losses, indicate a total silver cargo worth £600,000 (€765,555) in that year may have been lost, indicating a second load of government-owned silver.
(H)
Deep ocean exploration firm Odyssey Marine Exploration found the 1,203 bars of the precious metal on board the SS Gairsoppa which sank in February 1941, 300 miles south west of Galway.
The record-breaking recovery of the treasure - equivalent to 1.4 million troy ounces of silver - is the heaviest and deepest ever recovery of precious metals from a shipwreck, according to the Florida-based company.
Greg Stemm, Odyssey chief executive, said it was a complex operation in international waters.
The Gairsoppa was a merchant ship torpedoed by a German U-boat during the Second World War while the British government, under their War Risk Insurance programme, was using it.
An insurance payment of £325,000 (€414,716) - the value in 1941 - was made by the government to the owners of the silver cargo which allowed the state to claim ownership.
Odyssey said some sources, including Lloyd's War Losses, indicate a total silver cargo worth £600,000 (€765,555) in that year may have been lost, indicating a second load of government-owned silver.
(H)
Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
01 July 2016
Minister Humphreys In France For Battle Of The Somme Commemorations
The Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Heather Humphreys is in France to represent the government at a series of commemorative events to mark the centenary of the Battle of the Somme.
Minister Humphreys In France For Battle Of The Somme Commemorations
The Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Heather Humphreys is in France to represent the government at a series of commemorative events to mark the centenary of the Battle of the Somme.
15 March 2016
FF And FG Accused Of 'Sham Fight Over Forming A Govt'
Sinn Féin has accused Fine Gael and Fianna Fail of "engaging in a sham fight over forming a government".
FF And FG Accused Of 'Sham Fight Over Forming A Govt'
Sinn Féin has accused Fine Gael and Fianna Fail of "engaging in a sham fight over forming a government".
01 March 2016
O'Callaghan Welcomes Decision To Return Easter Rising Banner
A decision by the Imperial War Museum in London to return the Na Fianna Éireann banner to Dublin has been welcomed by Fianna Fáil TD Jim O'Callaghan. The TD for Dublin Bath South began a campaign in July 2009 to have the banner returned after it had been seized in the aftermath of the Easter Rising.
O'Callaghan Welcomes Decision To Return Easter Rising Banner
A decision by the Imperial War Museum in London to return the Na Fianna Éireann banner to Dublin has been welcomed by Fianna Fáil TD Jim O'Callaghan. The TD for Dublin Bath South began a campaign in July 2009 to have the banner returned after it had been seized in the aftermath of the Easter Rising.
10 October 2011
WWI Soldiers To Be Honoured In Drogehda
As the role of Northern-based British servicemen and women in Afghanistan was recognised last weekend, it has emerged that the UK's Ambassador in Dublin is to travel to the historic banks of the Boyne next month to play his part in a commemoration and two day conference to recall Irishmen who died in the First World War in the service of the Crown.
WWI Soldiers To Be Honoured In Drogehda
As the role of Northern-based British servicemen and women in Afghanistan was recognised last weekend, it has emerged that the UK's Ambassador in Dublin is to travel to the historic banks of the Boyne next month to play his part in a commemoration and two day conference to recall Irishmen who died in the First World War in the service of the Crown.
02 August 2010
O'Rourke To Return With Silver Medal
Sprint hurdler Derval O'Rourke will arrive home from Barcelona later today with her European silver medal. The Cork born O'Rourke, 29, finished second in the 100m hurdles on Saturday night to win her second European Athletics Championship silver medal.
O'Rourke To Return With Silver Medal
Sprint hurdler Derval O'Rourke will arrive home from Barcelona later today with her European silver medal. The Cork born O'Rourke, 29, finished second in the 100m hurdles on Saturday night to win her second European Athletics Championship silver medal.
-
Ireland WeatherToday:Mainly dry with sunny spells on Friday, cloudier at times in the south. The chance of the odd afternoon shower developing in the south and east. Maximum temperature 20 °C.Tonight:Any afternoon showers soon dying out to leave a dry evening with clear spells at first, but coastal low cloud, mist or fog then spreads in from the northwest. Minimum temperature 8 °C.
