$ 50 million under the sea - Wreck of 'City of Cairo' found
Source: LE FIGARO
Wreckage: $ 50 million under the sea
INFO LE FIGARO - Sunk by a German submarine November 6, 1942 in the South Atlantic, the British ship City of Cairo was carrying a treasure estimated at 50 million $. It was recovered by a Franco-British team off the African coast in 5150 meters (15,000 ft~) of water. Unheard of.
"A great story to tell," admits Nicolas Vincent, director of operations for Deep Ocean Search (DOS). The group, which specializes in deepwater subsea research, has unveiled its latest discovery. Nothing short of the wreck of the City of Cairo, located west of Namibia. The British ship, sunk during the Second World War, is certainly less famous than the Titanic, but it is known for its precious cargo.
Research vessel used for mission.
The boat was indeed torpedoed by a German submarine November 6, 1942 while carrying 7422 tons of cargo and more than 2182 chests full of silver coins. In total, the ship escorted nearly 100 tons of money, then owned by the British Treasury. At 16.55 dollars an ounce, the amount of this treasure amounts to almost 50 million dollars.
Technical Prowess
Until now, no shipper has been able to locate the English steamer. It was found at more than 5150 meters (15,000 ft.~) under the sea by French researchers working for DOS. A very large part of the 100 tons of silver has been brought to the surface: never has any cargo been recovered at such a depth. A technical feat welcomed by the profession, "This project is revolutionary, a new era has just opened in the search operations in deep water," concedes an American researcher and wreck specialist . By comparison, the Titanic lies south of Newfoundland at a depth of 3800 meters and even at this depth, scientists had trouble to locating the wreck and recoving property from the famous ship.
Identity of 'City of Cairo' was certified by these coins.
Read more: http://www.lefigaro.fr/actualite-france/2015/04/13/01016-20150413ARTFIG00389-epave-retrouvee-50-millions-de-dollars-sous-les-mers.php
Real life treasure trove. Not as dramatic as the Titanic find, but fascinating.
«Good Night, Sorry for Sinking you»!
"The discovery of a wreck like the 'City of Cairo' shows the public the tragic fates of passengers and crew members of the merchant marine during World War II. These historical facts are little known. We are proud to participate in this duty to remember," says John Kingsford. A new page in Good Night, Sorry For Sinking You, Ralph Barker's book devoted to this shipwreck, can now be written.
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