Martin Gerard Bayerle (born April 23, 1951, Queens, New York) is an American treasure hunter and author, best known for finding the 1909 shipwreck of the White Star Liner RMS Republic.
Bayerle sued eight SCUBA company defendants for price fixing conspiracy under the Sherman Act and reached a six-figure settlement once the case went to trial in federal court in the Southern District of New York (Brooklyn Diver Supply Corp. v ScubaPro, Petersen Publications, Dacor, NASDS ... – and other major components of the sport SCUBA diving industry).
The Republic was the largest ship to sink in history at the time when it sank off the U.S. East Coast in January 1909 and was rumored to be carrying a large cargo of gold.
After two and a half years of research, Bayerle discovered the wreck in 1981.The Associated Press, June 28, 1983, Tuesday, AM cycle, Domestic News, 447 words.
In the summer of 1987, Bayerle launched a major salvage operation on the Republic in hopes of recovering the rumored gold, drawing international media attention.
He was featured on television programs such as CBS Evening News, July 23, 1987, Thursday, 05:54:20 pm, Headline: Salvage Operations / Titanic, Republic, Duration 03:10, (Studio: Dan Rather) Report introduced.
ABC Evening News, August 5, 1987, Wednesday, 05:51:00 pm, Headline: Massachusetts / Treasure Hunt, Duration 02:40, (Studio: Peter Jennings) Report introduced.
The 74-day salvage operation was covered extensively by publications including Forbes, ‘‘Romancing the wreck (limited partnerships in sunken ships),’’ September 7, 1987, Pg.
William G. Flanagan The New York Times, July 19, 1987, Sunday, Late City Final Edition, Section 1; Part 2, Page 31, Column 3; National Desk, 614 words.
‘‘Gold and wine hoard is target of new dive / White Star Line passenger ship salvage’’ by Askold Krushelnycky and the Los Angeles Times, July 31, 1987, Friday, Southland Edition, Part 1; Page 2; Column 2; National Desk.
Associated Press - Boston, MA ‘‘Expedition to Sunken Ship Ends With Valuable Artifacts But No Gold’’ by Dana Kennedy, September 13, 1987, Sunday, AM cycle, Domestic News, 466 words.