Top 15 Most Valuable and Fascinating Underwater Discoveries
5. Merchant Royal
Estimated Current Value: $1–$2 billion*
Disappeared: 1617; Found: N/A
The Merchant Royal was a notable merchant vessel from the early 1600s, constructed at London's Deptford Dockyard and launched in 1617. This ship became infamous not only for its merchant activities but also for its tragic fate. On September 23, 1941, the Merchant Royal sank, leading to significant losses.
The sinking of the Merchant Royal deeply affected King Charles I, who expressed his outrage in the "Calendar of State Papers," declaring that the loss of the Royal Merchant was the "greatest ever sustained in one ship." This statement reflects the immense value and importance the ship held, both economically and symbolically, during that era.
Merchant Royal on Pinterest and the Daily Mail
The Merchant Royal was discovered to have held an astounding $500 million worth of gold and silver coins, yet it is estimated that the ship's total value could reach into the billions at the time of its capsizing. This immense treasure has sparked considerable interest among treasure hunters and historians alike.
In the late 2000s, the television program Treasure Quest followed a group of adventurers as they searched for the elusive Merchant Royal, highlighting the ongoing fascination with this legendary ship and its lost riches. Despite extensive efforts, the exact location of the Merchant Royal remains unknown, adding to the intrigue surrounding its story.
