"Dmitrii Donskoi (Дмитрий Донской)" wreck located. Has a Russian "ship of gold" been found?
RogerB
Posts: 8,852 ✭✭✭✭✭
Scuttled in 1905 after Russia's naval loss to Japan at the Battle of Tsushima, the cruiser was rumored to be carrying gold to pay the Russian Pacific fleet. But many are skeptical.
From the BBC:
2
Comments
Interesting
"Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working" Pablo Picasso
Interesting, but a lot of "ifs" in that story.
I wonder who gets the gold if found.
Successful Trades: Swampboy,
Since it's a warship then Putin gets the gold all for himself.
Split between S Korea and the finder with a 10% deposit to Korea required in advance. Not sure of the split thereafter. Maybe someone here versed in admiralty law of finds in Korea might know.
(Remember, Korea was part of the Japanese Empire in 1905.)
Actually, it was a "protectorate" of Japan from 1905 until it was officially made part of the Japanese Empire in 1910. At the time the ship was sunk it was probably not yet a "protectorate" as this status came about as a result of the Russo-Japanese war. (Correct me if I am wrong.) I'm not sure how that would affect the claim.
Carrying gold to pay their sailors? Doesn't make sense to me.
Wouldn't they just pay them in script or currency? Or not pay them at all until they returned back to Russia?
Yeah, I doubt they made enough pay to justify shipping gold halfway around the world.
One story reported that part of the money would be used to build a railroad connecting Russia and South Korea through North Korea. I would NOT get on that train.
Interesting story !!!
The only verifiable facts are: the ship was scuttled by its crew; and, the ship sank.
Yes, 291fifth it correct on the Japanese annexation. I might have been thinking of Taiwan.
Indeed. I think they are toying with calling it the Stable Genuis Express. With Russia and North Korea being such impressive regimes it seems only fitting. It will be the bestest train ever! All aboard! Can’t wait for the ribbon cuttting
m
Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
Correct. From 1897 to 1914 the paper money issued by the government
of Nicholas II was 100 per cent redeemable in gold or silver. It would have
been much easier to pay in paper.
I really like treasure stories, whether sunken or buried. This will be interesting...the report I read said that some metal boxes were spotted in the wreckage. The part I do not understand is why they would be carrying so much gold.. it was not usual to pay in gold at that time. Cheers, RickO
Was the Tsar going to pay sailors in gold when Rasputin had his own Gold Amex credit card? Revolutionary! Maybe we shall plant free "dubinushka" about the land.
Totally agree, but maybe not in the Far East. Remember, these were coal ships, required a lot of stops. Refueling in Singapore might not work if paying with paper.
The number of $130 Billion, must have been well paid sailors and shore leave would have been, um, uh, memorable.
I'll take "under". LOL. Seriously, 130 billion - I just don't understand rationally how that number was reached.
Well, just Love coins, period.
At present market rates that would be about 108.3 million troy ounces. This is approx. 3,713 tons. The ship displaced 5,683 tons at deep load. How the ship made it to Korea from a Russian western port without floundering is not explained.
(Many tall tales outgrow their pants.)
I know that such specie was carefully guarded and doubt they wanted it as payroll for lowly sailors who as I understand were not much above serf status.
Well, just Love coins, period.
I read Russia is to get 50% of/if anything is recovered.
Best place to buy !
Bronze Associate member