In 1799, HMS Lutine, a British frigate carrying 1,000 bars of gold and 500 bars of silver insured for £900,000 ( at least £80 million at today’s value) sank in a storm in just 40 feet of water within sight of the Dutch coast.

Despite numerous salvage attempts by various diving groups over many years, only the ship’s bell and an insignificant amount of the armaments, cargo and fittings (amounting to about £100,000) has, apparently, ever been recovered.

For many years the Lutine Bell symbolised the perils of life at sea. Suspended in the offices of shipping insurers, Lloyds of London, its tolling indicated the loss of another vessel. Many of which have now come within the reach of suitably qualified and competent technical divers

Categories: History

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