Civil War-era shipwreck that might contain gold found in Lake Huron

Dec. 9 (UPI) -- A search of a Civil War-era steamer that was shipwrecked on Nov. 9, 1861 in Lake Huron and may contain gold is underway, according to an announcement Monday.

When the Keystone State sank more than 150 years ago, it brought 33 crew members with it. Shipwreck hunter David Trotter hopes that the ship’s debris may contain something a little more valuable than the iron farm equipment it was supposed to be carrying.

“The most exciting shipwreck I’ve ever found is the next one,” Trotter said. “There’s an exciting sense of discovery about being able to touch historical events that fascinates all of us.”

Trotter has found more than 100 shipwrecks. “She wasn’t where she was supposed to be,” Trotter said. “I probably thought I’d never find her.”

He is suspicious of the “iron implements” that were listed on the ship’s cargo manifest. The Keystone State left from Detroit to head to Milwaukee, Wis., even though the ship usually only traveled to Buffalo, N.Y. The oddity of the trip and the alleged cargo don’t add up to Trotter. “Farm implements are not heavily used in the winter,” Trotter said.

According to Trotter, the wreck has “settled-in” but he is still optimistic that some gold will be discovered in the ship’s large debris field.

[M Live]