Voir FiveThirtyEight's Signals, Vol. 1 - Episode 5

In 1857 off the Carolina coast, the SS Central America sank in a Category 2 hurricane and with it, thirty thousand pounds of gold valued today at roughly 548 million dollars. Over a century later and after many failed attempts to locate “The Ship of Gold”, a team of explorers led by Tommy Thompson skillfully implemented Bayesian Search theory, statistically limiting the possible locations where the ship went down. Only months later, they ultimately struck gold. But when the financiers of his expedition came looking for their cut, Tommy Thompson disappeared. We will investigate this dramatic modern day treasure hunt and the incredible roots of Bayesian Search, as we go deep into the world of "The Gold Hunters."