Columbus-America Discovery Group

The Columbus - America Discovery Group was a joint venture for capital acquisition and organization for the salvage of the shipwreck of the SS Central America. The association of 161 deep-sea engineers and private and institutional investors was founded on the initiative of the engineer and initiator of the company Thomas G. Thompson in 1985 in Columbus ( Ohio) with a capital stock in the amount of 10 million U.S. dollars.

The salvage company of the Group was successful by numerous and groundbreaking technical innovations in the deep-sea recovery technology. Thompson developed with among others the Remotely Operated Vehicle ( ROV), or further to the specific requirement of the recovery. An immense gold treasure consisting of fine gold bullion and gold coins from circa 20 tons was recovered in 1987. The total value of gold at that time was estimated to a total of 100 to 150 million U.S. dollars. The author and temporary companion to the rescue Gary later wrote a children also appeared on German biographical novel ( " The Golden Ship " ) on the establishment of the group to Thompson and the rescue activity of the group.