Whiskey, Gold Worth Millions Found in Lake Michigan

Never gonna give it up: That is the collector’s heart. After nearly 170 years under Lake Michigan, sonar detected what turned out to be the Westmoreland, a passenger ship that sank in the winter of 1854. Seventeen lives were lost, and 280 barrels of whiskey and a stash of gold were thought to be buried in sand forever. That treasure is now valued at about $17 million.

A team of divers located the wreck in July 2010 under local historian and recreational diver Ross Richardson, but what is found is still out of reach. Michigan law prevents amateur divers from salvaging shipwrecks without authorization. That authorization is still not granted. Media coverage and publicity attracted the attention of several universities interested in mapping the Westmoreland, and nearly 10 years after Richardson found the wreck, he was able to explore it alongside a team of researchers.

Richardson is still hoping to get permission to bring up the treasure.

The moral of the story? Collectors never give up, no matter what the barriers. We will keep track of the story to see when Richardson will be able to accomplish his goal.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo: Chris Roxburgh/Pen News (via AllThatIsInteresting.com)