reports that Republic was carrying gold and other valuables when she sank. One report is that she was carrying gold worth $250,000 in American gold coins to be used as payroll for the US Navy's Great White Fleet. In addition to the US Navy coin-monies shipment, various sources reported on a much larger cargo, $3,000,000 in US gold Double Eagles. Among these, The Washington Post reported, "Three million dollars in gold coins lies in the rotting hulk of the White Star liner Republic, lost off Nantucket in January, 1909. The Republic, damaged in a collision, was being towed toward New York by the Coast Guard cutter Gresham, when she sank in 240 feet of water. A salvage attempt in 1919 was unsuccessful." And again one year later, "In 1909 the [White] Star Liner Republic was damaged in a collision. While being towed to safety she sank in over 200 feet of water. At the present all attempts to salvage the $3,000,000 in her holds have been unsuccessful." The New York Times reported, "The White Star Liner Republic, lost off Nantucket Shoals in 1909, carried $3,000,000 in gold eagles. However, the Republic rests in 185 [270] feet of water." All of these values are in 1909 dollars. One coin expert appraised the value of RMS Republic'''s cargoes today would exceed $1 billion. Rediscovery The wreck of Republic was found by Captain Martin Bayerle in 1981. She lies upright approximately south of Nantucket Island at in approximately of water. See also RMS Empress of Ireland, which also sank as a result of a collision Treasure hunting (marine) References External links Historical News Coverage of the Sinking of the RMS Republic The Hero of the Republic "CQD" by Alfred M. Caddell, Radio Broadcast, April 1924, pages 449-455. "The Triumph of Wireless", The Outlook'', 6 February 1909, pages 294-297. The American Experience |Rescue at Sea R. M. S. Republic | Samuel Cupples House Billions in gold? Former dive shop owner to salvage RMS Republic RMS Republic - Sad Times for Older Sister of Titanic Details of Baltic's effort to find Republic Shipwrecks of the Massachusetts coast Steamships Ships built in Belfast Ships of the White Star Line Ships of the Dominion Line Maritime incidents in 1909 1903 ships Ships sunk in collisions Ships built by Harland and Wolff Treasure from shipwrecks