I’ve read in the past that a warship and its contents, remains the propoerty of whatever country/navy it sailed for, but a merchant vessel is finders keepers.
“I’ve read in the past that a warship and its contents, remains the propoerty of whatever country/navy it sailed for, but a merchant vessel is finders keepers.”
Yes you are correct, and that is what was at issue in this case. The court found that the shipwreck is the remains of a warship,and title to a warship never passes without express acknowledgement.
Also, the US Court found that it had no authority to arrest the vessel, as it was protected under sovereign immunity.
The decision goes into some interesting history: here is a link:
http://www.ca11.uscourts.gov/opinions/ops/201010269.pdf