Shipwreck of SS Gairsoppa reveals £150m silver haul
08:26, 27 September 2011
LONDON. September 27. KAZINFORM A shipwreck containing 200 tonnes of silver worth about £150m has been found in the Atlantic - the largest haul of precious metal ever discovered at sea.
The SS Gairsoppa, a UK cargo ship sunk by a German U-boat in 1941, was found by US exploration firm Odyssey Marine, BBC News said.
The firm will retain 80% of the cargo's value under the terms of a contract with the Department for Transport.
Only one person from the 85-strong crew survived the torpedo attack as the ageing steamer tried to reach Ireland.
The vessel was on its way back to Britain from India when it ran low on fuel in stormy weather, and tried to divert to Galway harbour, but it was spotted and sunk by the German submarine
Details also at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-15061868