A Sunken Warship Sets Off a New Mediterranean Battle

The New York Times ^ | January 28, 2006 | By WILLIAM J. BROAD

[aculeus]

What is probably the world's richest sunken treasure — the Sussex, a British warship that went to the bottom of the Mediterranean in 1694 with a cargo of coins now worth up to $4 billion — has become embroiled in a bitter diplomatic dispute that pits Spain against Britain, the United States and an American company that wants to salvage the wreck.

The conflict turns on arcane and often disputed aspects of international law that govern sovereign waters and the rights of shipwreck owners and finders.

Spain claims the waters, off the coast of Gibraltar. Britain claims the ship, says its decomposing hull rests in the high seas, and has struck a deal with the American company, Odyssey Marine Exploration Inc. of Tampa, Fla., to split the recovery's proceeds.

Last month, the company had its 250-foot ship lower a seven-ton robot with lights, cameras and flexible arms to begin an archaeological survey, the first step in recovery of the wreckage of the ship, which lies in waters a half-mile deep. The goal is to positively identify the wreck and look for the lost coins, which the company says are most likely gold, nine tons of it.

[jimtorr]

Hey, I've been to the county of Sussex! Is it too late for me to claim a share?

[RedMonqey]

I say after 200 years, its "finder's keeper's rule kicks in.

[Redbob]

You're right, of course, but "finder's keepers" pretty much depends on whose backyard you're playing in...

[FreedomCalls]

GGG tip.

[SkyPilot]

Tell Spain to get lost, or we shall say "BOO!" to them.

Then they can march in the streets, demanding their "peace!" and run away as they did from Al Qaeda.

[GladesGuru]

Military vessels and equipment remain the property of the nation - probably forever.

German tanks found in a Scandinavian river were claimed by Germany. They kept the best. The rest, though scoured to shreds by decades of moving water and grit, were snapped up by collectors.

[RedMonqey]

True but according to the story it was found in international waters.

I say finders keepers.

[RedMonqey]

"Military vessels and equipment remain the property of the nation - probably forever."


Or as lon as their militaries have the better guns to enforce it. lol

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks FreedomCalls. I'd prefer that they be looking for the Beatrice, but that can wait until this legal precedent is settled.

To all -- please ping me to other topics which are appropriate for the GGG list. Thanks.

Please FREEPMAIL me if you want on or off the
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[blam]

Do you mean this Beatrice?

Dad On The Sailing Ship Beatrice 1925/1926

[SunkenCiv]

CA: Experts dig up nautical past of long-buried 1818 whaler
SFGate.com | 1/28/06 | Carl Nolte
Posted on 01/28/2006 1:08:35 PM PST by NormsRevenge
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1566998/posts

[SunkenCiv]

A hundred years earlier. :')

[SunkenCiv]