A recent dig of a nineteenth - century wreck off the coast of South Carolina is turn up a handful of “ extremely worthful ” gold coin – and it could be just the showtime of a much more remunerative discovery .
shipboard soldier archaeologists withBlue Water Ventures International , Inc. ( BWVI ) have been diving on the wreck site of the SteamshipNorth Carolinasince September . The steamer bury on July 25 , 1840 , after colliding with its sister shipGovernor Dudley .
All those aboard the sinking vessel were quickly reassign to theGovernor Dudleyand no lives were lost . However , luggage and cargo sank , include hard currency on the vessel that could be deserving millions in today ’s value . Among them were gilded coins from US Mint inDahlonega , Georgia , a newly commissioned outfit that minted in 1838 – just two age before the collection sank . If witness , expert say they are sought after in today ’s market .
“ These wreck from the other 1800s always have the voltage for rare early American minted coin , and other unique items from the mean solar day . The United States experienced an other gilded rush in the southerly nation of Georgia and North Carolina in the 1820s and thirty , ” Keith Webb , President of BWVI , tell IFLScience in an consultation .
So far , BWVI tells IFLScience that they have recovered three American $ 5 gold coin , two of which had been minted in 1838 and another in 1836 . All are in good status and will be conserved , clean , and graded by a numismatic preservation party .
Additionally , BWVI has regain marble , dinnerware , and brass spikes that were used in the construction of the ship , all of which allow for a window to peek at what life was like intimately two century ago .
“ Every crash is unique in its own way of life . This one happens to be a small time capsule of the other 1800s . To see and realize how fluid company was back then , what they traveled with , what their days were like , there are lots of clues to uncover , ” said Webb .
TheNorth Carolinawreck site is locate off the glide of South Carolina between depths of 18 and 24 meter ( 60 and 80 foot ) . ocean conditions in the area are unpredictable and can be attractively calm in the dayspring and blowing 40 knots by lunch period , said Webb . diver usemagnetometer surveys , a mapping proficiency used to detect change in the magnetized field from mineral in the George Sand . A gaussmeter pick up on the magnetic belongings of metal or iron items associated with the ship .
“ We have to watch the weather conditions carefully for crew prophylactic . The actual shipwreck lies between five and ten feet of sand , so it ’s not an leisurely recovery , ” he supply .
Researchers say they will continue their recovery exertion through November , weather permitting .
Their next undertaking includes relocate the American steamerPulaski . The vessel lapse on June 14 , 1938 , following a boiler explosion that result in the red ink of two - third of those on control panel . Just 59 people survived . The ship was found in 2018 and nicknamed the “ Titanic of its metre , ” reported theCharlotte Observer . Last yr ’s hurricane season shift Baroness Dudevant and dust field .
Underwater Marine Archaeologist James Sinclair essay theSB North Carolinasite . BWVI
