Deep Blue Marine (DPBE)

[Gregory_]

If I recall correctly, Wilf said in the first conference call that according to the 1,000 pages of research they dredged up on the Scipion, the wreck could be valued at $200,000,000.

Regarding the mercury, from historicalwrecks.com:
"The Guadalupe grounded on a sandbank along the coast. The weight of 250 tons of mercury pinned Guadalupe against the sandbar, keeping her upright, allowing the ship and crew to ride out the storm. In 1976, Tracy Bowden and Caribe Salvage, salvaged the Guadalupe. The heavy timbers, solid construction and weight of the cargo of iron fittings prevented them from reaching the lower hold where 250 tons of valuable mercury was stored and may still remain. They recovered gold jewelry and coins, silver, religious artifacts, household items."

I believe Wilf said on the first CC that we had these ships in our area in the DR:
Scipion, Guadalupe, Pelosa

That means we MIGHT have 250 tons of mercury on the Guadalupe. The Scipion is also a 74 gunner. I don't think anyone has mentioned that mercury is definitely on it (unless I'm missing or forgetting something).

I can't remember where I read about the mercury salvaged in the DR. Can't find this information anywhere, but what I remember from that conversation is that older mercury is more expensive than newer mercury (something to do with purity difference).

From what I gather, the international unit of commerce in mercury is the "flask," which contains 76 pounds (http://www.theodoregray.com/PeriodicTable/Samples/080.6/index.s12.html). Unsure if this is accurate, but if it IS, according to a 2006 Chicago News Tribune article (http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0611270205nov27,1,802493.story?coll=chi-newsnatio... a flask went for about $700. At the USGS, they priced mercury at an average of $650 a flask in 2006 (http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/mercury/mercumcs07.pdf).

1 ton = 2000 lbs. (2000 lbs. x 250 tons) / 76 lbs. = ~6,579 flasks x $700 = ~$4,605,263.15

I'm unsure if Wilf has mercury on the manifest for the Scipion. That might be something to ask next week.

Here's what I'm trying to figure out. If the Scipion is only in 35 feet of water, why didn't they salvage it? Are we CERTAIN this isn't already salvaged? (Again, more questions probably for next week.)