News
HMS Victory
23 January 2012
The remains of one of the predecessors of Nelson's famous flagship, the HMS Victory, are to be raised from the sea bed nearly 300 years after it sank.
The vesse. HMS Victory, went down in a storm off the Channel Islands in 1744, taking more than 1,000 soldiers to their deaths.
Along with a bronze cannon collection, some believe the ship was carrying a large quantity of gold coins from Lisbon to Britain, which would now be worth a reported £500m.
According to The Sunday Times, the wreck is to be handed over to the Maritime Heritage Foundation, which is expected to employ Odyssey Marine Exploration to carry out the reecovery. The American company found the ship four years ago.
A Ministry of Defence spokeswoman said: "Efforts to protect key parts of British Naval history such as the wreck of HMS Victory 1744 are very welcome and we hope to make announcement shortly."
The guns and other artefacts will be displayed in British museums, while Odyssey is likely to receive the bulk of any treasure under the laws of salvage.
This news item was taken from the Portsmouth News, 22 Jan 2012.
