in 1752 a sailing ship. the Geldermalsen. left of china Whampoa in China. It was carrying 150.000 pieces of china Holland. The ship's owners planned to sell the blue and white plates and dishes in Europe. But the Geldermalsen never reached Europe. somewhere in the South China Sea the ship hit coral reef and sank. Forty-four people escaped. but the ship's cargo was lost. In the 1980s divers found the wreck. They found most of the dishes packed in tea in wooden chests and brought them to the surface. Most of them were as good as new. They also found 125 gold bars.