$130 Billion Worth Of Gold Found On Sunken Russian Warship
(Kitco News) - What’s better than finding the wreckage of a scuttledlegendary warship? Finding one filled with $130 billion worth of gold.
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| Wreckage of the Dmitrii Donskoi. Source: the Shinil Group |
Sunday, a team of South Korean, British and Canadian diversdiscovered the wreck of a sunken Russian warship that is believed to contain200 tons of gold bullion and coins, equivalent to $130 billion, according toThe Daily Telegraph.
The wreckage of the Russian Imperial Navy cruiser DmitriiDonskoi was discovered about one mile off the South Korean island of Ulleungdo,at more than 1,400 feet below sea level.
According to historical records, the Dmitrii Donskoi wasscuttled 113 years ago during the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905. The armoredcruiser was designed as a commerce raider and was intercepted by the Japanesefleet during the Battle of Tsushima; having sustained heavy damage during thebattle, her captain ordered the crew to abandon ship ashore off UlleungdoIsland and scuttle it offshore.
“The body of the ship was severely damaged by shelling, withits stern almost broken, and yet the ship’s deck and sides are well preserved,”Shinil Group said in a statement.
According to the Telegraph, the identity of Dmitrii Donskoiwas confirmed once Shinil Group’s crew were able to read the name on the stern.
The cruiser’s crew were believed to have carried 5,500 boxescontaining gold bars as well as 200 tons of gold coins which were meant tofinance the Russian fleet’s funds. The gold was being stored on board toprevent the Japanese from seizing it.
The Shinil Group said that it is planning to raise the shipin October or November.
The Telegraph reported that half of the treasure found wouldbe handed over to the Russian government, while 10 percent would be invested intourism projects on Ulleungdo Island, including a museum dedicated to the ship,and a portion of the gold will be donated to joint projects for developments innorth-east Asia, such as a railway from Russian to South Korea through NorthKorea.
By David LinFor Kitco News
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