The deep-sea find revives an old story about gold, disputes and jurisdiction, in which there is still a key point.
Dozens of tonnes of gold lie at a depth of 2,000 metres underwater. The truth is that this emblematic case has historical significance: the famous 19th-century shipwreck carrying a cargo of gold was discovered several decades ago and lies more than two kilometres deep in the Atlantic Ocean.
Over time, the story has taken on new layers: expeditions in 1988-1991 and the recent operation in 2014 recovered coins, ingots and coins. Historical estimates speak of dozens of tonnes shipped in 1857, but only a small portion has been recovered.
This is how the “gold ship” was found
According to the SS Central America’s historical records, the discovery was made in 1988 at a depth of about 2,200 metres (7,200 feet) in the western Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of South Carolina. During subsequent salvage operations (in the late 1980s and in 2014), part of the cargo was recovered. The last of these took place recently, in 2014.
Historical estimates value the original cargo at tens of tonnes (ingots, coins and gold dust from California). The recovered items from this discovery were subject to legal proceedings for distribution and liquidation.
Origin of the underwater treasure
In this case, jurisdiction lay with the maritime courts of the United States and the state of South Carolina (equivalent to a province in federal systems).
The courts recognised the rights of salvage and the claims of various parties.
Between 1988 and 1991, the gold was extracted, and in 2014, an expedition was organised using remotely operated vehicles.
Following legal proceedings and agreements, the materials were distributed among investors, salvors and claimants in accordance with the court decision; the state reserved rights of ownership and regulation.
Underwater gold: key figures from the SS Central America case
Basic data to contextualise the “find of the century”:
- Depth: 2,200 metres (7,200 feet).
- Location: western Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of South Carolina (USA).
- Modern discovery: 1988; salvage in the late 1980s and in 2014.
- Estimated cargo: dozens of tonnes in 1857; only a portion was salvaged and handed over to the court.