Britain's richest shipwreck, worth £8million today, is found off Cornwall
By Rachel Davis
DIVERS have found 330-year-old cannon and an anchor from Britain’s richest shipwreck.
The merchant ship President was returning from India loaded with diamonds and pearls worth £8million today when she sank in 1684.
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Water find!.... divers have found Britain's richest shipwreck - worth £8million todayCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
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The ship was loaded with diamonds and pearls when she sank in 1684Credit: SWNS:South West News Service
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The merchant ship President was returning from IndiaCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
The crew had survived pirates and near-starvation but all but two died when a storm sank the ship off Porthleven, Cornwall.
Fragments were spotted 20 years ago but recent storms have revealed the larger parts.
Archaeology diver David Gibbins, who has been monitoring the site with Mark Milburn, said: “For years it’s been covered by sand. We’re thrilled with the finds.”
Mark added: “The diamonds and pearls were never recovered. They’re down there somewhere.”
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All but two sailors died when a storm sank her off Porthleven, CornwallCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
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The crew had previously survived pirates and near-starvationCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
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The diamonds and pearls 'are still down there somewhere'Credit: SWNS:South West News Service
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Fragments were spotted 20 years ago but recent storms have revealed the larger partsCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
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Cannon believe it... the 17th-century cannon and an anchor have been unearthed after 330 yearsCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
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The President adds to Cornwall's famous shipwrecks such as the RMS Mülheim at Land’s End and the HMS DevonshireCredit: SWNS:South West News ServiceWorld War II shipwreck discovered at the bottom of a harbour in Sri Lanka 75 years after the vessel was sunk by Japanese bombers
