Recovery of shipwreck gold, treasure done for year

COLUMBUS (AP) — A salvage company says it’s halting its search for gold and treasure from an 1857 shipwreck off the coast of South Carolina for the year.

Odyssey Marine Exploration said its recovery ship, Odyssey Explorer, is in Charleston, S.C., for repairs and installation of new equipment.

Mark Gordon, Odyssey’s president and chief operating officer, told the Columbus Dispatch he’s pleased with results and profitability to date.

The wreck was found in 1988 by Columbus oceanic engineer Tommy Thompson and his associates, who excavated about 5 percent over four years.

Thompson has been sued by investors who say they weren’t paid and is considered a fugitive after skipping a court date to explain what happened to the riches.