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	HOME ABOUT US SUBMERSIBLE EQUIPMENT DIVES CONTACT US   Doug's Bio Our Clients Photo Gallery	THE BROTHER JONATHAN In 1865, the paddle steamer Brother Jonathan struck a rock off the coast of Crescent City, California. On board were 244 passengers and 700 tons of cargo including a large shipment of gold. There were only 19 survivors, making the wreck one of the worst maritime disasters in California history. Deep Sea Research, Inc. and the Delta submersible discovered the wreck in 1993 and recovered $5 million in gold coins.   Brother Jonathan, 1851 For 125 years, the Brother Jonathan lay 250 feet underwater near the submerged pinnacle now called Jonathan Rock. Before 1993, there had been several attempts at recovery - all unsuccessful. Using side-scan sonar and the submersibles Delta and Snooper, the DSR team was able to locate and identify the Brother Jonathan and assist in recovering its treasure and other artifacts. Snooper, Don Siverts, Doug Privitt, Delta    The discovery of the Brother Jonathan is famous, not only for being the richest shipwreck in Pacific Coast history, but also for the legal battle over ownership of the wreck and its cargo. In 1998, in California v. Deep Sea Research, Inc. the United States Supreme Court decided in favor of DSR and the parties reached a settlement.   Gold coins from Brother Jonathan L - R: Chris Ijames, Harvey Harrington (DSR), Dave Slater, Doug Privitt & recovered safe   Read the complete story in: "The Treasure Ship S.S. Brother Jonathan, Her Life and Loss, 1850-1865" by Q. David Bowers. "Treasure Ship: The Legend and Legacy of the S.S. Brother Jonathan" by Dennis M. Powers. See more Delta dive highlights... To Top of Page
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