Cursed Gold: A Shipwreck Scandal
Impossible Riches - Photos
Episodic
![Sonar expert Mike Williamson is pictured in a portrait made during the production of "Cursed Gold: A Shipwreck Scandal." In 1989, maverick scientist Tommy Thompson stuns the world by recovering three tons of gold from a shipwreck deep in the Atlantic Ocean. What follows is a 30-year story of adventure, deception, and personal turmoil, taking him from venerated celebrity to infamous fugitive, and finally a defiant prisoner who refuses to give up his gold. (National Geographic)](https://www.dgepress.com/storage/uploads/19/AF/19AF2B77-935C-4A63-80F7-E267AF60C25F/101_ImpossibleRiches_CursedGold-AShipwreckScandal_15-450x0.jpg)
Sonar expert Mike Williamson is pictured in a portrait made during the production of "Cursed Gold: A Shipwreck Scandal." In 1989, maverick scientist Tommy Thompson stuns the world by recovering three tons of gold from a shipwreck deep in the Atlantic Ocean. What follows is a 30-year story of adventure, deception, and personal turmoil, taking him from venerated celebrity to infamous fugitive, and finally a defiant prisoner who refuses to give up his gold. (National Geographic)
Episode: #101 "Impossible Riches"
Air Date 08/21/2024
101_ImpossibleRiches_CursedGold-AShipwreckScandal_15.jpg
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![A dramatic reconstruction for "Cursed Gold: A Shipwreck Scandal" shows computer screens in the ship's Control Room. In 1989, maverick scientist Tommy Thompson stuns the world by recovering three tons of gold from a shipwreck deep in the Atlantic Ocean. What follows is a 30-year story of adventure, deception, and personal turmoil, taking him from venerated celebrity to infamous fugitive, and finally a defiant prisoner who refuses to give up his gold. (National Geographic)](https://www.dgepress.com/storage/uploads/AD/BA/ADBAFCCF-3BD6-E37A-EFBD-FDB5B1D446D4/101_ImpossibleRiches_CursedGold-AShipwreckScandal_42-0x300.jpg)
A dramatic reconstruction for "Cursed Gold: A Shipwreck Scandal" shows computer screens in the ship's Control Room. In 1989, maverick scientist Tommy Thompson stuns the world by recovering three tons of gold from a shipwreck deep in the Atlantic Ocean. What follows is a 30-year story of adventure, deception, and personal turmoil, taking him from venerated celebrity to infamous fugitive, and finally a defiant prisoner who refuses to give up his gold. (National Geographic)
Episode: #101 "Impossible Riches"
Air Date 08/21/2024
101_ImpossibleRiches_CursedGold-AShipwreckScandal_42.jpg
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![Journalist Dylan Taylor-Lehman is pictured in a portrait made during the production of "Cursed Gold: A Shipwreck Scandal." In 1989, maverick scientist Tommy Thompson stuns the world by recovering three tons of gold from a shipwreck deep in the Atlantic Ocean. What follows is a 30-year story of adventure, deception, and personal turmoil, taking him from venerated celebrity to infamous fugitive, and finally a defiant prisoner who refuses to give up his gold. (National Geographic)](https://www.dgepress.com/storage/uploads/ED/D8/EDD87DEF-71DE-16A1-1B5F-2E1D82098431/101_ImpossibleRiches_CursedGold-AShipwreckScandal_22-450x0.jpg)
Journalist Dylan Taylor-Lehman is pictured in a portrait made during the production of "Cursed Gold: A Shipwreck Scandal." In 1989, maverick scientist Tommy Thompson stuns the world by recovering three tons of gold from a shipwreck deep in the Atlantic Ocean. What follows is a 30-year story of adventure, deception, and personal turmoil, taking him from venerated celebrity to infamous fugitive, and finally a defiant prisoner who refuses to give up his gold. (National Geographic)
Episode: #101 "Impossible Riches"
Air Date 08/21/2024
101_ImpossibleRiches_CursedGold-AShipwreckScandal_22.jpg
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![Journalist Dylan Taylor-Lehman is pictured looking through case files during the production of "Cursed Gold: A Shipwreck Scandal." In 1989, maverick scientist Tommy Thompson stuns the world by recovering three tons of gold from a shipwreck deep in the Atlantic Ocean. What follows is a 30-year story of adventure, deception, and personal turmoil, taking him from venerated celebrity to infamous fugitive, and finally a defiant prisoner who refuses to give up his gold. (National Geographic)](https://www.dgepress.com/storage/uploads/65/0A/650A5899-9C69-1370-94E1-A602BA22F093/101_ImpossibleRiches_CursedGold-AShipwreckScandal_24-450x0.jpg)
Journalist Dylan Taylor-Lehman is pictured looking through case files during the production of "Cursed Gold: A Shipwreck Scandal." In 1989, maverick scientist Tommy Thompson stuns the world by recovering three tons of gold from a shipwreck deep in the Atlantic Ocean. What follows is a 30-year story of adventure, deception, and personal turmoil, taking him from venerated celebrity to infamous fugitive, and finally a defiant prisoner who refuses to give up his gold. (National Geographic)
Episode: #101 "Impossible Riches"
Air Date 08/21/2024
101_ImpossibleRiches_CursedGold-AShipwreckScandal_24.jpg
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![Lead Designer of deep-sea robot Nemo John Moore is pictured in a portrait made during the production of "Cursed Gold: A Shipwreck Scandal." In 1989, maverick scientist Tommy Thompson stuns the world by recovering three tons of gold from a shipwreck deep in the Atlantic Ocean. What follows is a 30-year story of adventure, deception, and personal turmoil, taking him from venerated celebrity to infamous fugitive, and finally a defiant prisoner who refuses to give up his gold. (National Geographic)](https://www.dgepress.com/storage/uploads/85/0F/850F369A-038C-85DB-BC51-1C6127CB46C4/101_ImpossibleRiches_CursedGold-AShipwreckScandal_31-450x0.jpg)
Lead Designer of deep-sea robot Nemo John Moore is pictured in a portrait made during the production of "Cursed Gold: A Shipwreck Scandal." In 1989, maverick scientist Tommy Thompson stuns the world by recovering three tons of gold from a shipwreck deep in the Atlantic Ocean. What follows is a 30-year story of adventure, deception, and personal turmoil, taking him from venerated celebrity to infamous fugitive, and finally a defiant prisoner who refuses to give up his gold. (National Geographic)
Episode: #101 "Impossible Riches"
Air Date 08/21/2024
101_ImpossibleRiches_CursedGold-AShipwreckScandal_31.jpg
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![Sonar Technician Alan Scott is pictured in a portrait during the production of "Cursed Gold: A Shipwreck Scandal." In 1989, maverick scientist Tommy Thompson stuns the world by recovering three tons of gold from a shipwreck deep in the Atlantic Ocean. What follows is a 30-year story of adventure, deception, and personal turmoil, taking him from venerated celebrity to infamous fugitive, and finally a defiant prisoner who refuses to give up his gold. (National Geographic)](https://www.dgepress.com/storage/uploads/05/25/05257E12-8223-33D8-5D86-4ADCEBC348FD/101_ImpossibleRiches_CursedGold-AShipwreckScandal_32-450x0.jpg)
Sonar Technician Alan Scott is pictured in a portrait during the production of "Cursed Gold: A Shipwreck Scandal." In 1989, maverick scientist Tommy Thompson stuns the world by recovering three tons of gold from a shipwreck deep in the Atlantic Ocean. What follows is a 30-year story of adventure, deception, and personal turmoil, taking him from venerated celebrity to infamous fugitive, and finally a defiant prisoner who refuses to give up his gold. (National Geographic)
Episode: #101 "Impossible Riches"
Air Date 08/21/2024
101_ImpossibleRiches_CursedGold-AShipwreckScandal_32.jpg
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![Investor Gil Kirk is pictured in a portrait made during the production of "Cursed Gold: A Shipwreck Scandal." In 1989, maverick scientist Tommy Thompson stuns the world by recovering three tons of gold from a shipwreck deep in the Atlantic Ocean. What follows is a 30-year story of adventure, deception, and personal turmoil, taking him from venerated celebrity to infamous fugitive, and finally a defiant prisoner who refuses to give up his gold. (National Geographic)](https://www.dgepress.com/storage/uploads/F5/B6/F5B691C5-8AD5-2CD8-5126-A91076FA1486/101_ImpossibleRiches_CursedGold-AShipwreckScandal_26-450x0.jpg)
Investor Gil Kirk is pictured in a portrait made during the production of "Cursed Gold: A Shipwreck Scandal." In 1989, maverick scientist Tommy Thompson stuns the world by recovering three tons of gold from a shipwreck deep in the Atlantic Ocean. What follows is a 30-year story of adventure, deception, and personal turmoil, taking him from venerated celebrity to infamous fugitive, and finally a defiant prisoner who refuses to give up his gold. (National Geographic)
Episode: #101 "Impossible Riches"
Air Date 08/21/2024
101_ImpossibleRiches_CursedGold-AShipwreckScandal_26.jpg
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![Company Treasurer and Ops Manager Paula Steele is pictured in a portrait made during the production of "Cursed Gold: A Shipwreck Scandal." In 1989, maverick scientist Tommy Thompson stuns the world by recovering three tons of gold from a shipwreck deep in the Atlantic Ocean. What follows is a 30-year story of adventure, deception, and personal turmoil, taking him from venerated celebrity to infamous fugitive, and finally a defiant prisoner who refuses to give up his gold. (National Geographic)](https://www.dgepress.com/storage/uploads/9D/67/9D675BEB-2D65-B108-13D5-36175194730D/101_ImpossibleRiches_CursedGold-AShipwreckScandal_16-450x0.jpg)
Company Treasurer and Ops Manager Paula Steele is pictured in a portrait made during the production of "Cursed Gold: A Shipwreck Scandal." In 1989, maverick scientist Tommy Thompson stuns the world by recovering three tons of gold from a shipwreck deep in the Atlantic Ocean. What follows is a 30-year story of adventure, deception, and personal turmoil, taking him from venerated celebrity to infamous fugitive, and finally a defiant prisoner who refuses to give up his gold. (National Geographic)
Episode: #101 "Impossible Riches"
Air Date 08/21/2024
101_ImpossibleRiches_CursedGold-AShipwreckScandal_16.jpg
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![Lead Designer of deep-sea robot Nemo John Moore is pictured in a portrait made during the production of "Cursed Gold: A Shipwreck Scandal." In 1989, maverick scientist Tommy Thompson stuns the world by recovering three tons of gold from a shipwreck deep in the Atlantic Ocean. What follows is a 30-year story of adventure, deception, and personal turmoil, taking him from venerated celebrity to infamous fugitive, and finally a defiant prisoner who refuses to give up his gold. (National Geographic)](https://www.dgepress.com/storage/uploads/A5/B5/A5B5C692-0B22-96D0-9872-B0924BB0C6C7/101_ImpossibleRiches_CursedGold-AShipwreckScandal_28-450x0.jpg)
Lead Designer of deep-sea robot Nemo John Moore is pictured in a portrait made during the production of "Cursed Gold: A Shipwreck Scandal." In 1989, maverick scientist Tommy Thompson stuns the world by recovering three tons of gold from a shipwreck deep in the Atlantic Ocean. What follows is a 30-year story of adventure, deception, and personal turmoil, taking him from venerated celebrity to infamous fugitive, and finally a defiant prisoner who refuses to give up his gold. (National Geographic)
Episode: #101 "Impossible Riches"
Air Date 08/21/2024
101_ImpossibleRiches_CursedGold-AShipwreckScandal_28.jpg
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![Gold bars and coins are pictured on the bottom of the sea bed off the coast of North Carolina, USA. In 1989, maverick scientist Tommy Thompson stuns the world by recovering three tons of gold from a shipwreck deep in the Atlantic Ocean. What follows is a 30-year story of adventure, deception, and personal turmoil, taking him from venerated celebrity to infamous fugitive, and finally a defiant prisoner who refuses to give up his gold. (Recovery Limited Partnership Liquidating Trust)](https://www.dgepress.com/storage/uploads/81/87/818734A3-1CA4-E3C1-F50F-21F2FCED8E09/101_ImpossibleRiches_CursedGold-AShipwreckScandal_UHD_53_R-450x0.jpg)
Gold bars and coins are pictured on the bottom of the sea bed off the coast of North Carolina, USA. In 1989, maverick scientist Tommy Thompson stuns the world by recovering three tons of gold from a shipwreck deep in the Atlantic Ocean. What follows is a 30-year story of adventure, deception, and personal turmoil, taking him from venerated celebrity to infamous fugitive, and finally a defiant prisoner who refuses to give up his gold. (Recovery Limited Partnership Liquidating Trust)
Episode: #101 "Impossible Riches"
Air Date 08/21/2024
101_ImpossibleRiches_CursedGold-AShipwreckScandal_UHD_53_R.jpg
Download
![Sonar Operator John Lettow is pictured in a portrait made during the production of "Cursed Gold: A Shipwreck Scandal." In 1989, maverick scientist Tommy Thompson stuns the world by recovering three tons of gold from a shipwreck deep in the Atlantic Ocean. What follows is a 30-year story of adventure, deception, and personal turmoil, taking him from venerated celebrity to infamous fugitive, and finally a defiant prisoner who refuses to give up his gold. (National Geographic)](https://www.dgepress.com/storage/uploads/58/65/5865358F-68B5-126D-BB85-160067B5A03D/101_ImpossibleRiches_CursedGold-AShipwreckScandal_05-450x0.jpg)
Sonar Operator John Lettow is pictured in a portrait made during the production of "Cursed Gold: A Shipwreck Scandal." In 1989, maverick scientist Tommy Thompson stuns the world by recovering three tons of gold from a shipwreck deep in the Atlantic Ocean. What follows is a 30-year story of adventure, deception, and personal turmoil, taking him from venerated celebrity to infamous fugitive, and finally a defiant prisoner who refuses to give up his gold. (National Geographic)
Episode: #101 "Impossible Riches"
Air Date 08/21/2024
101_ImpossibleRiches_CursedGold-AShipwreckScandal_05.jpg
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![Gold bars and coins are pictured on the bottom of the sea bed off the coast of North Carolina, USA. In 1989, maverick scientist Tommy Thompson stuns the world by recovering three tons of gold from a shipwreck deep in the Atlantic Ocean. What follows is a 30-year story of adventure, deception, and personal turmoil, taking him from venerated celebrity to infamous fugitive, and finally a defiant prisoner who refuses to give up his gold. (Recovery Limited Partnership Liquidating Trust)](https://www.dgepress.com/storage/uploads/6C/A0/6CA0971D-7CA1-A9BB-66FC-2AA28E9122C2/101_ImpossibleRiches_CursedGold-AShipwreckScandal_UHD_52_R-450x0.jpg)
Gold bars and coins are pictured on the bottom of the sea bed off the coast of North Carolina, USA. In 1989, maverick scientist Tommy Thompson stuns the world by recovering three tons of gold from a shipwreck deep in the Atlantic Ocean. What follows is a 30-year story of adventure, deception, and personal turmoil, taking him from venerated celebrity to infamous fugitive, and finally a defiant prisoner who refuses to give up his gold. (Recovery Limited Partnership Liquidating Trust)
Episode: #101 "Impossible Riches"
Air Date 08/21/2024
101_ImpossibleRiches_CursedGold-AShipwreckScandal_UHD_52_R.jpg
Download
![A dramatic reconstruction for "Cursed Gold: A Shipwreck Scandal" shows crew looking at monitors in the ship's Control Room. In 1989, maverick scientist Tommy Thompson stuns the world by recovering three tons of gold from a shipwreck deep in the Atlantic Ocean. What follows is a 30-year story of adventure, deception, and personal turmoil, taking him from venerated celebrity to infamous fugitive, and finally a defiant prisoner who refuses to give up his gold. (National Geographic)](https://www.dgepress.com/storage/uploads/3C/86/3C8678D1-51D6-789F-F95C-15B14EDB5136/101_ImpossibleRiches_CursedGold-AShipwreckScandal_38-450x0.jpg)
A dramatic reconstruction for "Cursed Gold: A Shipwreck Scandal" shows crew looking at monitors in the ship's Control Room. In 1989, maverick scientist Tommy Thompson stuns the world by recovering three tons of gold from a shipwreck deep in the Atlantic Ocean. What follows is a 30-year story of adventure, deception, and personal turmoil, taking him from venerated celebrity to infamous fugitive, and finally a defiant prisoner who refuses to give up his gold. (National Geographic)
Episode: #101 "Impossible Riches"
Air Date 08/21/2024
101_ImpossibleRiches_CursedGold-AShipwreckScandal_38.jpg
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![Gary Kinder, author of "Ship of Gold in the Deep Blue Sea," poses for a portrait in front of a projection during the production of "Cursed Gold: A Shipwreck Scandal." In 1989, maverick scientist Tommy Thompson stuns the world by recovering three tons of gold from a shipwreck deep in the Atlantic Ocean. What follows is a 30-year story of adventure, deception, and personal turmoil, taking him from venerated celebrity to infamous fugitive, and finally a defiant prisoner who refuses to give up his gold. (National Geographic)](https://www.dgepress.com/storage/uploads/84/59/845945C3-5A75-E5AD-3FB5-8F7BF7C22FCA/101_ImpossibleRiches_CursedGold-AShipwreckScandal_12-0x300.jpg)
Gary Kinder, author of "Ship of Gold in the Deep Blue Sea," poses for a portrait in front of a projection during the production of "Cursed Gold: A Shipwreck Scandal." In 1989, maverick scientist Tommy Thompson stuns the world by recovering three tons of gold from a shipwreck deep in the Atlantic Ocean. What follows is a 30-year story of adventure, deception, and personal turmoil, taking him from venerated celebrity to infamous fugitive, and finally a defiant prisoner who refuses to give up his gold. (National Geographic)
Episode: #101 "Impossible Riches"
Air Date 08/21/2024
101_ImpossibleRiches_CursedGold-AShipwreckScandal_12.jpg
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![A dramatic reconstruction for "Cursed Gold: A Shipwreck Scandal" shows a man looking at computer screens in the ship's control room. In 1989, maverick scientist Tommy Thompson, stuns the world by recovering three tons of gold from a shipwreck deep in the Atlantic Ocean. What follows is a 30-year story of adventure, deception, and personal turmoil, taking him from venerated celebrity to infamous fugitive, and finally a defiant prisoner who refuses to give up his gold. (National Geographic)](https://www.dgepress.com/storage/uploads/C7/D7/C7D799BA-0E98-0252-F801-82594394ECD8/101_ImpossibleRiches_CursedGold-AShipwreckScandal_UHD_50_R-450x0.jpg)
A dramatic reconstruction for "Cursed Gold: A Shipwreck Scandal" shows a man looking at computer screens in the ship's control room. In 1989, maverick scientist Tommy Thompson, stuns the world by recovering three tons of gold from a shipwreck deep in the Atlantic Ocean. What follows is a 30-year story of adventure, deception, and personal turmoil, taking him from venerated celebrity to infamous fugitive, and finally a defiant prisoner who refuses to give up his gold. (National Geographic)
Episode: #101 "Impossible Riches"
Air Date 08/21/2024
101_ImpossibleRiches_CursedGold-AShipwreckScandal_UHD_50_R.jpg
Download
![Sonar expert Mike Williamson is pictured at work in an image made during the production of "Cursed Gold: A Shipwreck Scandal." In 1989, maverick scientist Tommy Thompson stuns the world by recovering three tons of gold from a shipwreck deep in the Atlantic Ocean. What follows is a 30-year story of adventure, deception, and personal turmoil, taking him from venerated celebrity to infamous fugitive, and finally a defiant prisoner who refuses to give up his gold. (National Geographic) (National Geographic)](https://www.dgepress.com/storage/uploads/3F/18/3F18AE94-6781-4EA1-7C00-9059CF006CC4/101_ImpossibleRiches_CursedGold-AShipwreckScandal_07-450x0.jpg)
Sonar expert Mike Williamson is pictured at work in an image made during the production of "Cursed Gold: A Shipwreck Scandal." In 1989, maverick scientist Tommy Thompson stuns the world by recovering three tons of gold from a shipwreck deep in the Atlantic Ocean. What follows is a 30-year story of adventure, deception, and personal turmoil, taking him from venerated celebrity to infamous fugitive, and finally a defiant prisoner who refuses to give up his gold. (National Geographic) (National Geographic)
Episode: #101 "Impossible Riches"
Air Date 08/21/2024
101_ImpossibleRiches_CursedGold-AShipwreckScandal_07.jpg
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![A dramatic reconstruction for "Cursed Gold: A Shipwreck Scandal" shows Sonar Operator John Lettow navigating Nemo in the ship's Control Room. In 1989, maverick scientist Tommy Thompson stuns the world by recovering three tons of gold from a shipwreck deep in the Atlantic Ocean. What follows is a 30-year story of adventure, deception, and personal turmoil, taking him from venerated celebrity to infamous fugitive, and finally a defiant prisoner who refuses to give up his gold. (National Geographic)](https://www.dgepress.com/storage/uploads/EC/4E/EC4E92D0-E729-C1E9-9803-80E8FB293FFC/101_ImpossibleRiches_CursedGold-AShipwreckScandal_48-450x0.jpg)
A dramatic reconstruction for "Cursed Gold: A Shipwreck Scandal" shows Sonar Operator John Lettow navigating Nemo in the ship's Control Room. In 1989, maverick scientist Tommy Thompson stuns the world by recovering three tons of gold from a shipwreck deep in the Atlantic Ocean. What follows is a 30-year story of adventure, deception, and personal turmoil, taking him from venerated celebrity to infamous fugitive, and finally a defiant prisoner who refuses to give up his gold. (National Geographic)
Episode: #101 "Impossible Riches"
Air Date 08/21/2024
101_ImpossibleRiches_CursedGold-AShipwreckScandal_48.jpg
Download
![Gold bars and coins are pictured on the bottom of the sea bed off the coast of North Carolina, USA. In 1989, maverick scientist Tommy Thompson stuns the world by recovering three tons of gold from a shipwreck deep in the Atlantic Ocean. What follows is a 30-year story of adventure, deception, and personal turmoil, taking him from venerated celebrity to infamous fugitive, and finally a defiant prisoner who refuses to give up his gold. (Recovery Limited Partnership Liquidating Trust)](https://www.dgepress.com/storage/uploads/10/B4/10B4F500-4893-452B-38B5-805EED7CBA36/101_ImpossibleRiches_CursedGold-AShipwreckScandal_UHD_51_R-450x0.jpg)
Gold bars and coins are pictured on the bottom of the sea bed off the coast of North Carolina, USA. In 1989, maverick scientist Tommy Thompson stuns the world by recovering three tons of gold from a shipwreck deep in the Atlantic Ocean. What follows is a 30-year story of adventure, deception, and personal turmoil, taking him from venerated celebrity to infamous fugitive, and finally a defiant prisoner who refuses to give up his gold. (Recovery Limited Partnership Liquidating Trust)
Episode: #101 "Impossible Riches"
Air Date 08/21/2024
101_ImpossibleRiches_CursedGold-AShipwreckScandal_UHD_51_R.jpg
Download