Beneath the vast expanse of the Atlantic Ocean lies an astonishing tale filled with ambition, sorrow, and revelation.

The S.S. Central America, often referred to as the “”Ship of Gold,”” has fascinated people not only due to its valuable cargo but also because of a mysterious relic dubbed the “”Mona Lisa of the Deep.””

In 1857, the S.S. Central America set sail on what would tragically become its last voyage from San Francisco to New York City. Carrying over 10 tons of treasure from the California Gold Rush, the ship symbolized more than mere riches; it served as a crucial support for the nation’s economy. However, destiny had a different outcome in store as a catastrophic hurricane hit off the coast of the Carolinas, leading to the sinking of the ship and the loss of approximately 425 lives, which precipitated the Panic of 1857 and a nationwide economic downturn.

For 131 years, the ship lay concealed 8,000 feet beneath the waves, until a groundbreaking discovery in 1988. Utilizing cutting-edge technology and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), explorers launched an ambitious recovery operation that spanned several decades. The final phase in 2014 unveiled some of the most astonishing discoveries to date.