Theodore Arthur, 78, whose great grandfather Polee Allen was one of the slaves on board voiced some reservations.

“It is new to me, I only just heard about it,” Mr Arthur, vice president of the Clotilda Descendants Association, told the Telegraph. “With new technology, it is something to consider.

“I am a bit cautious about this, I am not sure how they can narrow it down,” he added.

Others, including Jocelyn Davis, have been more enthusiastic.

“I am anxious to see what they can bring up and what they can preserve,” she said. “Finding the ship brought us closure. With it being intact, it’s just mind-blowing.”

Last month the wreckage was added to the National Register of Historic Places.