Whose shipwreck is it?
TEXT OF INTERVIEWSCOTT JAGOW: A group of treasure hunters based in Florida says is touting a huge find in the Atlantic Ocean, but yesterday Spain filed a lawsuit over the Odyssey Group’s discovery. Our correspondent Stephen Beard is here with more. Stephen?
STEPHEN BEARD: The Spanish government, having heard the news that an American exploration company had found a wreck somewhere in the Atlantic laden with half a billion dollars worth of gold and silvers coins, the Spanish government wants to make it clear that if that treasure was found in Spanish waters or came from a Spanish ship, it belongs to Spain and Spain wants it back.
JAGOW: Well that sounds like a pretty big “if.” Do we have any idea where this treasure is?
BEARD: No. Odyssey is not saying exactly where they found it. The Speculation has been that it was found about 40 miles off the southwest coast of England and that it was an English ship, but the Spaniards are deeply suspicious about this. Odyssey’s vessels were spotted operating off the Spanish coast for two months prior to the discovery of this treasure, and there were allegations that the vessels were trying to avoid the attention of the Spanish authorities. There’s also the added mysterious fact that the plane which apparently took the treasure to the U.S. flew from Gibraltar on the tip of Spain.
JAGOW: Ah that is curious. So are they trying to preempt something with this lawsuit?
BEARD: Yes, what they’re trying to do first of all is try to force Odyssey to reveal exactly where they found the treasure and the identity of the wreck. But beyond that, they’re also making it clear that if this came from Spanish territorial waters or a Spanish ship, Spain want sit back.
JAGOW: Well it’ll be interesting to see what happens. Alright Stephen thanks a lot.
BEARD: OK Scott.
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