Odyssey to salvage HMS Victory

British Government approves plan to raise artefacts

Author: Pat
3rd February 2012
 

The wreck of an 18th century HMS Victory could be recovered by deep ocean salvage outfit Odyssey Marine Exploration.

The Florida-based company has scored a string of successes in its hunt for lost treasure ships.

In 2008 using remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), the Odyssey team found and identified HMS Victory. She sank in 1744 in a storm off the Channel Islands.

More than 1,000 sailors were drowned.

Bronze cannon bearing the crest of George 1 lay on the seabed, with an estimated 500 million pounds of treasure supposedly lying on the site.

The wreck – although it is perhaps better described as a series of scattered remains – lies 65 miles from her reported position.

As a warship, the British Government has taken a keen interest in what happens to Victory from here on in. But it looks set to give the go ahead to a salvage operation, with Odyssey to profit from the bulk of any treasure recovered.

Doing nothing may not be an option. Victory lies in an area scoured by trawl fishing vessels, whose nets could destroy the site in short shrift.

 
 
MORE News
Operational Risk Management book

New guide to managing dive risks

Pinpoints the real causes of dangers and mitigates against them and their effects

BSAC Liberty MOD1 course 3

BSAC launches Divesoft Liberty rebreather course

This highly versatile unit offers a wide range of adjustability and settings, making it great for beginners and expert CCR divers alike

SEAC SUB IT300 regulator

SEAC introduces IT300 and IT500 regulators

Smooth breathing performance and packed with features

BSAC Incident Report 2022

BSAC Incident Report 2022 released

In total, the report analyses 248 incidents reported in the UK and overseas

 
 
©2024 British Diver