Republic ~ New Jersey Scuba Diving

Republic

Type:: liner, White Star Line
Name:: One of the "-ic" series of White Star liners, which included such other ships as the Georgic, Olympic, and Titanic.
Built:: 1903, Ireland
Specs:: ( 570 x 68 ft ) 15378 gross tons
Sunk:: Sunday January 25, 1909
after collision with steamer Florida - 2 casualties
Depth:: 240 ft

The Republic may have been carrying $3,000,000 face value ( 1909 dollars, 5 tons of gold ) of newly minted American gold "Double Eagle" coins ( $20 gold pieces ) shipped in 75 one-hundred-sixty pound wooden boxes. In addition, there may be 14 tons of gold bars in 196 one-hundred-sixty pound casks, a $6 million current value US Government payroll shipment, and several tons of silver bars; and then again, maybe not. Perhaps the gold was removed prior to the ship finally sinking, which did not take place until almost 40 hours after the collision. Divers have searched for the treasure, but nothing has ever been found. At 240 ft, any search operation would be difficult, to say the least.

details courtesy Martin Bayerle - rms-republic.com