The hunt for the Merchant Royal, a 17th-century English vessel believed to be laden with £4 billion worth of treasure, has long eluded discovery despite centuries of pursuit. However, a UK-based company armed with cutting-edge technology now embarks on a mission to potentially unearth this elusive shipwreck, as reported by The Metro.
Dubbed the “El Dorado of the Seas” for its fabled wealth, the Merchant Royal met its fate off the coast of Cornwall in 1641, leaving behind a trove of gold and silver estimated to be worth billions, according to reports.
Multibeam Services, an expert entity specializing in locating lost wrecks, plans to dedicate the entirety of 2024 to scouring a 200-square-mile stretch of the English Channel. Utilizing unmanned underwater vessels and advanced sonar technology, the team endeavors to locate the resting place of the Merchant Royal.
While the potential financial windfall is substantial, Nigel Hodge, the leader of the endeavor, underscores the historical significance of the potential find, affirming that any treasure discovered will be treated as heritage artifacts.
In a statement to Metro.co.uk, Nigel stressed that it’s “not a gold rush,” despite the immense speculated value of the wreck.
Navigating through treacherous waters where the ship foundered presents a formidable challenge for the search. Nigel acknowledges the difficulty of the task, particularly in a region known for its perilous maritime conditions.
“This is not a straightforward endeavor,” he remarked. “There are thousands of shipwrecks down there, and the Merchant Royal is just one of them. We must meticulously sift through a multitude of wrecks and accurately identify them. It’s no easy feat. If it were straightforward, it would have been accomplished already.”
Situated in Redruth and staffed by numerous former fishermen, Nigel Hodge expresses confidence in his company’s capacity for success, citing their profound understanding of local waters and advancements in technology.
The ill-fated voyage of the Merchant Royal unfolded on September 23, 1641, as the vessel journeyed to Dartmouth. Before its tragic demise, the ship had paused in the Spanish port of Cadiz for repairs and additional cargo loading during its return voyage from Mexico and the Caribbean.
