SS Central America, known as the Ship of Gold, was a 280-foot (85 m) sidewheel steamer that operated between Central America and the eastern coast of the United States during the 1850s.
On 9 September 1857, the steamer sailed from San Francisco on its way to New York, along with more than 477 passengers, 101 crew and 30,000 pounds (14,000 kg) of gold. After a hurricane hit off the coast of South Carolina, the ship was sank, an event so significant that it actually contributed to the panic of 1857.
One-hundred fifty-three passengers, primarily women and children, managed to make their way over in lifeboats. A Norwegian bark, Ellen, rescued an additional fifty from the waters. Another three were picked up over a week later in a lifeboat. As a consequence of the sinking, 425 people were killed.
The shipwreck was discovered in 1988, bearing an estimated $100 million-$150 million worth of gold, including one ingot weighing 80 pounds that later sold for $8 million all by itself.
Source: Wikipedia
 sidewheel steamer that operated between Central America and the eastern coast of the United States.){kind=link}