S.S. Central America...THE REST OF THE STORY

[Michigan Badger]

I'm sure this story will eventually be all over TNet but here it is for this thread.

All that gold found but where is Tommy G. Thompson?

Treasure hunter who found 'Ship of Gold' now sought by US Marshals | Fox News

 

[Michigan Badger]

Here we have such a spectacular find followed by equally spectacular troubles. Whenever a great treasure is discovered and made public there will usually be trouble for the original finders.

 

[Chadeaux]

Yeah, and once the IRS gets involved, someone is really gonna pay . . . and pay . . . and pay . . . and pay.

If he's lucky, the taxes won't be much more than what he can sell it for.

 

[Michigan Badger]

This why I tell my treasure hunting buds to keep it quiet if possible. It's fun to brag but in doing so one is really sticking ones neck out.

 

[BuffaloBob]

This why I tell my treasure hunting buds to keep it quiet if possible. It's fun to brag but in doing so one is really sticking ones neck out.

Everyone with the slightest interest in the treasure sued him. For years and years and years. Fortunately he had the best maritime law specialist on his side. Even so the earth is full of worms. Always.

I was familiar with the beginning of his adventure so haven't kept up with the latest. Tommy Good Luck!

Enjoy treasure hunting but keep it to yourselves. Don't even mention locations of any sort, terrain or anything that may remotely cause others to search for you. And your treasure.

Treasure hunters do it in their spare time. Government(s) have people doing it all the time. Searching the net for any reference that will give them tax dollars. Or outright confiscation. Screw 'em.
BB

 

[Michigan Badger]

Along this same line I've always wondered about those people who appear on Antiques Roadshow with a $25,000 item they found at a garage sale for $2. I've wondered if any of those sellers ever sued after seeing the show.

 

[TheOldMan]

I certainly feel bad for the folks who invested in the project, and also those who worked on the salvage operations and never were supposedly paid what was owed them. It is no surprise that the lawyers, insurance companies and others got their greedy tenacles attached to this project. The book Ship of Gold in the Deep Blue Sea is a very interesting read even though the author has claimed that Tommy Thompson had vast editing control over its content. The world needs more Tommy Thompson's to further advance the technologies needed to explore the oceans and beyond. I hope there is somehow some kind of happy ending to this story. One wonders what amount of unsalvaged treasure is left down there on the Central America site, and if it will ever be brought to the surface.

 

[osu1972]

Tommy Thompson was one of the first guys I met at Ohio State. I had the pleasure of getting to know oneminds I will know in this lifetime. When the old gang found out what he had discovered in the late 80's, no one was of the smartest surprised. He had the mentality to think outside the box, and we all knew whatever he did would be great. What know one seems to understand is Tommy Thompson is not a "treasure hunter". He is a scientist. He made a great discovery of gold in a sunken ship 8,000 feet below the surface. He also discovered species of animals that are not known to man. The gold was a great find and it brought out the vultures, but in Tommy's mind, it's about the discoveries. Money never meant much to him, it's the discovery. He is a scientist and if the litigation could leave him alone, perhaps he could further pursue the species discovered and find cures for the medical field. Shame on all of the lawyers, insurance companies, and vultures, that stood on dry land with their hands out. Tommy Thompson has a once in a lifetime brain that can find cures to ailments with the discoveries he has found. "It's all about the money".

 

[Red James Cash]

Ship of Gold in the Deep Blue Sea

I agree TheOldMan,it was an excellent book.I came across a 1st edition copy of it for 5 bucks and read it more than a few times.When ever theres large amounts of money involved there will always be the greedy,curropt S.o Bs. trying to get their slimy hands on it.It doesnt matter if you came across the money honestly either.Theyll be there waiting for you as if you owed it to them

 

[FarmerChick]

large amts of monies and gold. woof. if anyone finds out you don't have a prayer with the vultures circling.
I am not up to date on this. Off to google all about it. Sounds very interesting!!

 

[reporterkathy]

Here's my latest story on Tommy's wherabouts:

Wanted salvager tracked to Florida | The Columbus Dispatch

 

[bigscoop]

I still quote one of his comments and points of reason all the time. "If we're going to look for things lost and forgotten, then let us look for those things we know exist." Or something very close to that. But in this day of legends and fairy tale treasure myths it's a very fitting statement.