Gersoppa!

A shipwreck containing 200 tonnes of silver worth £150m has been discovered in the Atlantic – the largest haul of precious metal ever found at sea.

The SS Gairsoppa, a UK cargo ship sunk by a German U-boat in 1941, was found by US exploration firm Odyssey Marine.

The firm will retain 80% of the cargo’s value under the terms of a contract with the Department for Transport.

The vessel was on its way back to England from India when it ran low on coal in stormy weather, and tried to divert to Galway harbour, but it was spotted and sunk by the German U Boat.

Three members of the crew survived in a lifeboat and reached the Cornish coast two weeks later, but two died trying to get ashore.

The wreck of the 412ft ship was found this summer nearly 4,700m below the North Atlantic, 300 miles off the Irish coast, but it was only confirmed as SS Gairsoppa last week.

Odyssey Marine’s senior project manager, Andrew Craig, said: “We’ve accomplished the first phase of this project – the location and identification of the target shipwreck.

“Now we’re hard at work planning for the recovery phase.

“Given the orientation and condition of the shipwreck, we are extremely confident that our planned salvage operation will be well suited for the recovery of this silver cargo.”

SS Gairsoppa settled upright on the seabed with its cargo holds open, which means remote-controlled robotic submarines should be able to retrieve the bullion.

Odyssey’s chief marine archaeologist Neil Dobson said: “Even though records indicate that the lifeboats were launched before the ship sank, sadly most of her crew did not survive the long journey to shore.

“By finding this shipwreck and telling the story of its loss, we pay tribute to the brave merchant sailors who lost their lives.”

The merchant ship belonged to the British India Steam Navigation Company, and was ordered into the merchant navy fleet at the outbreak of World War II.

Now, why does Gersoppa, ring a bell

? Well, it happens to be the highest waterfall in this part of the world not very far from here at Bangalore.

The top view!

When I first flew in India in the 1980's I was generally first in to check in just to get myself a window seat away from a wing, this to look at the scenery below as we took off and landed, at various airports. One exception though was Mumbai. It was the depressing sight of the large Dharavi slum that greeted you as you slid into the city.
The other day, when Ratan Tata, called Mukesh Ambani new mansion, as 'sad', it struck a chord. The point that Tata was trying to get across was, are the rich and powerful morally entitled to ostentation in a a land that still has the poorest of people on this planet. Is it business Dharma?The 'Reliance' group is definitely not a shining example as far a charity is concerned and it is a cause for concern, when you consider that they are a role model for aspiring entrepreneurs in India.
It is interesting to think of the view that the portly Mr.Mukesh Ambani would have from his top floor? Shining Mumbai or a slum swept landscape?
To say that the well to do got that way, due to their sole efforts is perverse and is arrogant and on most occasions it is a fair piece of luck that got them the riches. One Mr.Bill Gates, readily admits, that his tiny town had one of the early computers in the US and as a youngster he got an early shot at it, which started an enduring journey to success. Chance it was!
Post my early experience with flying in/out of Mumbai, I opted for an aisle seat. This, at least, allowed you to chat with the air hostess and make less inhibited trips to the toilet...........

Mumbai Again......

The tragedy off Mumbai port where two ships flying the Panaminian flags collided a few fays ago was waiting to happen. With the container ship shedding oilthe situation is very serious, for the residents of Mumbai. Also, the Ports of Mumbai and JNPT have since been shut down, as the 'Chitra' has dropped an unspecified number of containers into the sea, which are a navigational hazard and preclude other ships from safely entering or leaving port.

Amidst the breast beating a couple of questions need to be answered:

1. Did the two ships have Harbour pilots on board?
2. Mumbai has a fully functional Vessel Traffic Management System, which should have been guiding both ships.
3. Our disaster response and management systems have proven to inadequate again.

A laundry list of the damages.

1. Environmental disaster which is still unravelling.
2. India's financial hub shut down.
3. Huge capital loss, in terms of damage to ships and cargo, where an insurance firm is going to take a severe hit.Maybe the ships are a total write off.
4. Cost of salvaging the sinking container ship. This task is going to be tough- tough, due to the choppy seas around Mumbai, in this time of the year.
5. The possibility that the Chitra, will prove to be a permanent wreck, impeding navigation around the ports.

Initially, it was thought that there were no fatalities. That apparently is wrong.A poor police officer with limited swimming skills fell off the police patrol boat and drowned.Trust us to have the wrong people at the wrong place.The other policemen in the speed boat ( three ) also did not know swimming!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

One can only grind one's teeth in frustration..................