Hutchinson Middle School students received a history lesson of a different sort on Wednesday when Robert Evans, a consulting geologist,paid a visit to the school.

Evans had a whale of a tale to tell. He was co-discoverer of the S.S. Central America shipwreck site, a gold-rush era treasure ship. The 280-footsidewheel steamer ran afoul of a hurricane in September 1857. It sank along with 425 of her 578 passengers and crew, and 30,000 pounds of gold.

As chief scientist and historian for the project, Evans was part of the team that located the wreck, which was found about 150 nautical miles fromCape Fear, North Carolina.

He also served on the recovery team that used state-of-the-art robotic technology to plumb the shipwreck that rested more than a mile deep alongthe ocean floor. Ultimately, Evans said they recovered one of the "most incredible treasures in American history" - 577 gold bars, more than 10,000gold coins and more than 10,000 pieces of silver.

Evans' first visit to Minnesota was the result of a serendipitous meeting. He and Shad Ketcher, owner of New Era Financial Advisors Inc.,Hutchinson, served together on a panel at a conference in Dallas, Texas. The two got to talking and one thing led to another. In addition toaddressing middle school students, Evans was the featured speaker during an event Wednesday evening at Crow River Golf Club.

Bob adds:

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