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Wednesday, 13th August 2008 (1875 views)

There have been fears among archaeological experts that the planned salvage of a 17th century shipwreck may "risk heritage", reports Buzzle.com.

US company Odyssey Marine Exploration struck a deal with the UK government to raise the ship which is believed to be the 80-gun warship Sussex which sank with ten tonnes of gold in 1694.

History books said the boat sank during a storm when it was on its way to deliver a bribe to the Duke of Savoy so he would act as an ally in a war against the king of France.

Documents were recently discovered suggested the cargo of the ship was a "million of money" or, in modern terms, around ten tonnes of gold.

Of the agreement, George Lambrick, the director of the Council for British Archaeology (CBA), said: "The whole arbitration process is still not one that gives us confidence in what ministers have told us, which is that the archaeological issues are paramount."

The CBA is an education charity working to promote the care and appreciation of the UK's historic environment.

 

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