Treasure hunter Greg Brooks of Sub Sea Research in Gorham, Maine, announced that a wreck found sitting in 700 feet (213 meters) of water 50 miles (80 kilometers) offshore is that of the S.S. Port Nicholson, sunk in 1942.

The Port Nicholson, a British merchant ship, was torpedoed by a German U-boat in an attack that killed six people. while carrying what Greg Brooks claims was a load of platinum bars now worth more than $3 billion. If the claim proves true, it could be one of the richest sunken treasures ever discovered. The platinum was a payment from the Soviet Union to the US for war supplies. The vessel was also carrying gold bullion and diamonds.

Greg Brooks said he and his crew identified the ship via the hull number using an underwater camera, and he hopes to begin raising the treasure later this month using a remotely-operated underwater vessel.

International dispute
However, some doubt his claim. Anthony Shusta, an attorney representing the British government, says it is unclear if the ship carried platinum. And if it was laden with precious metals, he said, who owns it could become a matter of international dispute.

But Brooks says a US Treasury Department ledger shows platinum bars were on board. He also has underwater footage which he says shows a platinum bar surrounded by 30 boxes that he believes holds platinum ingots, the report said.

â—„ Previous | Image of | Next â–º

-