Don't count on any vast discoveries off parts of the coastal US as the
Abandoned Shipwreck Act laws dictate that... " abandoned shipwreck in or on the public lands of the United States is the property of the United States Government. Any abandoned shipwreck in or on any Indian lands is the property of the Indian tribe owning such lands".
Whats on board or on site of these ships..goes to the State and/or Government. Even though it is loosely stated the finder be, as stated: " recognize(d)the interests of individuals and groups engaged in shipwreck discovery and salvage". The "finder" would be lucky if even his or her name were mentioned in the State museum to which it would be available to for public view.
There's a lot of great finds out there, maybe not as grand as the "600 barrels of loot"; but artifacts of historical importance (cannons, ivory, artifacts, etc) remain quietly resting in the "deep" and kept a secret by many commercial fishermen/ divers who's occupation has them diving for scallops, sea urchins, etc.
State salvage laws may vary..that I have not researched. Just your story caught my eye and know in the State where I reside..you'd be lucky if you even got a handshake.
What you say is true but then knowing how to deal with the government helps. Its the old," here is a sample of the treasure, which I will let alone forever, unless we can reach some agreement on housing it for posterity in a museum you will build for me and lease to me for 100 years, and I get all of the book rights, film rights, and income from admission at the door." sort of thing. I can't believe that the corporate attorney in this case thought through it well before hand, or as many say, the story may be false. Time will tell. Meanwhile we dream about 600 barrels of things like these:
