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SS REPUBLIC

SS Republic was a sidewheel steamship that was lost in a hurricane off the coast of Georgia in October 1865. She was launched in 1853 as SS Tennessee.

In September 1864, the Tennessee was renamed USS Mobile. The ship was damaged in a hurricane off the mouth of the Rio Grande in October 1864 and was sold at auction in March, 1865. She was repaired, renamed SS Republic, and returned to the New York–New Orleans route hauling passengers and cargo.

On her fifth civilian voyage, the SS Republic left New York on October 18, 1865. She was carrying passengers and a cargo of $400,000 in coins, mostly in gold $10 and $20 pieces, intended for use as hard currency after the Civil War. A hurricane off the coast of Georgia sank the ship at 4 pm on October 25, 1865. The passengers and crew escaped in four lifeboats and a makeshift raft in 40-foot seas throughout the night. It was not until two days later that the survivors were found by a sailing ship. Most of the passengers and crew survived. All the coins were lost.

In August 2003, the wreck of the SS Republic was located by Odyssey Marine Exploration about 100 miles southeast of Savannah, Georgia, in about 1,700 feet of water. A salvage effort recovered about one-third of the rare 19th-century gold and silver coins carried aboard, worth an estimated $75 million. Most of the hull of the ship is now gone, but the rudder, parts of the paddle wheel and the steam engine are still present.

We build this primarily wood SS Republic model the following sizes:

26" long x 12" tall x 6" wide  $2,850  Shipping and insurance in the contiguous US included. Other places: $300 flat rate. This model is in stock and can be shipped within 5 business days.

30" long x 14" tall x 7" wide  $3,490 Shipping and insurance in the contiguous US included. Other places: $400 flat rate.