I would like a formula that can predict where an object, dropped from
a ship would land on the sea floor. I am sure size, shape and relative
bouyancy of the object would be part of the factor and it is assumed I
have knowledge of water currents and depth of the water. I am not
concerned about how far the object fell through the air to the water
surface. I believe this formula or one similar to it, would be used by
Navies and or treasure hunters but I can't find one.

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Clarification of Question by coffees-ga on 12 Apr 2004 19:39 PDT

Yes I can see that shape can radically change the final resting place
but I believe a range of shape "factors" could be idealized to get a
statistical point of impact. I am guessing the final formula will
include Stokes law, an integral of water current vs. depth and this
shape factor.

The shape is very important and can RADICALLY change the final resting
place of the object.

If it looks more like a toypedo
(http://www.h2opoolproducts.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/80)
then it can go a long long way away from the point of impact on the
water.  They have "glide ratios" of ~10:1 and depending on the depth
and currents could end up several miles away from the point of impact.

If its a very dense wedge it can just go pretty much straight down.  

I strongly doubt there is a simple formula.  If something is lost I
would imagine that it is hydrodynamically modeled by a team of
engineers and then the possible areas are strongly surveyed until the
object is found or funds run out.