United States v. S.S. Central America

United States v. S.S. Central America was a significant legal case concerning the recovery of gold that sank with the steamship Central America in 1857. After a storm caused the ship to sink off the coast of South Carolina, it carried a large amount of gold, which became valuable decades later. In the 1980s, treasure hunters recovered the gold and claimed ownership, leading to a legal battle. The U.S. government intervened, arguing that the gold was public property. The case raised important issues about salvage rights, ownership, and the historical significance of sunken treasure.