THE Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute (BUEI) expects a full house on Wednesday for former Premier David Saul's lecture on the astounding discovery of the treasure-laden SS Republic.

Speaking in the BUEI's Explorer's Lecture Series, Dr. Saul, a director of Odyssey Marine Exploration, will give a presentation, using photographs and film, which will recount the extraordinary efforts made over six years to find the fabled ship.

The SS Republic, which sank more than a century ago 100 miles southeast of Savannah, Georgia, or some 600 miles southwest of Bermuda, was discovered in August 2003 and may be the richest shipwreck ever found. Coins recovered from the wreck have an estimated value from $6,000 to $1,600,000 each.

As an added bonus, the BUEI has three silver half-dollar coins from the wreck in special presentation boxes. One will be won in a raffle draw after the lecture, and two are available for sale in the BUEI's Oceans Gift Shop for $1,300 each.

Lecture tickets are on sale now, $10 for members, and $15 for non-members. A buffet dinner, priced at $33.75 inclusive of gratuities will follow the lecture in La Coquille Restaurant.