Tales of treasure-laden ships that sink and lie on ocean floors for centuries are nothing new. Nor are the stories about the efforts made to find those ships and their valuable cargoes. Even readers not familiar with sea lore often find such tales appealing. Lost Gold of the Republic is such a story. Author Priit J. Vesilind, a longtime writer for National Geographic magazine, regales readers with a splendid book about the fate of the steam-powered paddle-wheeler Republic, which began life as the Tennessee when it was launched in August 1853.
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