The roomy SS President Coolidge, who used to serve as a luxury liner traveling from San Francisco to Manila, and other places in the Pacific and Far East, was repurposed by the US War Department when the threat of war became alarming.
Its design was effective as a troopship, and it was used to evacuate American citizens in Hong Kong when WWII loomed. Unfortunately, it was sunk by mines as it tried to enter a military base in Espiritu Santo, now part of Vanuatu, that was heavily fortified against enemy ships and submarines. It hit two mines before the captain ordered his men to abandon the ship.
Ancient Coins in the Mediterranean
Plenty of ancient coins have been discussed over the years in all kinds of places, and here is a great example from just a few years ago. In 2021, a bunch of coins were discovered from ancient shipwrecks in the Mediterranean Sea by Israeli marine archeologists.
These coins, which were discovered in the waters close to the city of Caesarea, were from two separate shipwrecks, which can be traced back to the Roman and the Mamluk periods. The finds included both bronze and silver coins, as well as 500 silver coins from the Middle Ages. This part of the world has been a strategic location for all kinds of trade, so these discoveries aren’t too surprising.
The Tuna Wreck Ship
Truth be told, there isn’t that much information out there regarding the story behind this image. What we do know is that the shot was taken underwater and it shows a scuba diver swimming around what is known as the Tuna Wreck Ship.
This shipwreck is believed to be located near Island 5, a popular diving location in Thailand’s Similan National Park. Unlike other underwater discoveries on this list, this item sank not too long ago. In fact, it was the Thai authorities who deliberately sank the ship in 2003. Since then it has become a typical site for divers to find.
The Crystal Head of Antonio, Heraklion
You might be thinking to yourself, “What could all the first be about this random face?” Let’s break it down for you. In 2017, three shipwrecks that could be traced back to Ancient Romans were discovered close to the ancient city of Heraklion, in Abu Qir Bay. European and Egyptian archeologists collaborated on a mission to retrieve a sculpted head carved out of crystal.
Researchers believe that the head is supposed to represent a commander by the name of Antonion. In the same mission, the archeologists also found a bark of the God Osiris, as well as three gold coins from the times of Emperor Octavius Augustus.
Fabbriche di Careggine
It was the constructions of Lago di Vagli that submerged the ancient village of Fabbriche di Careggine in 1946. Up until that point, the village had been around for about 700 years. Most of the time, it rests under 34 million cubic meters of water.
But every 10 years, the churches, homes, cemeteries, and other structures of the village resurface as all the water is drained for maintenance. When it is revealed, the village is an amazing, albeit eerie sight to behold. A hollowed-out carcass of what was once a thriving community. It’s definitely worth visiting when it is visible.