Russian warship found with an estimated $130 billion on board
New Delhi : A sunken warship has been found with 200 tons of gold bullion and coins on board, amounting to 150 trillion won or $130 billion, reports CNBC.
A South Korean treasure hunting company - Shinil Group - announced about their latest discovery on Sunday.
According to The Telegraph, a joint team with experts from South Korea, Britain, and Canada used two manned submersibles to film the wreck at a depth of more than 1,400 feet. They hope to raise the ship, known as Dmitrii Donskoi, in October or November.
According to The Telegraph, a joint team with experts from South Korea, Britain, and Canada used two manned submersibles to film the wreck at a depth of more than 1,400 feet. They hope to raise the ship, known as Dmitrii Donskoi, in October or November.
The gold on board could be the treasury of the entire fleet, U.K. newspaper Express reports, carrying enough for port expenses and the salaries of every sailor and officer.
Shinil Group reported that half the gold will be returned to the Russian government, while 10% of the rest would be used to fund tourism projects for the island of Ulleungdo. This includes plans for a museum dedicated to the ship.
The Russian Imperial Navy cruiser sunk 113 years ago during the Russo-Japanese war. Express reports the ship was a part of the Russian Baltic fleet, and would have taken part in the Battle of Tsushima, a Japanese victory. The hull and stern of the sunken ship are damaged, but according to the press release, the upper deck and the armored side of the hull are well preserved. Anchors and machine guns remain in place, while all three masts are reported broken.
