Visiting The Wreck of The S.S. Tilawa

SPECIAL THANKS AND FULL CREDIT TO ARGENTUM EXPLORATION LTD.

On September 18th 2024, we enjoyed our first online look at photographs showing one of the salvaged 2,364 silver bars (60 tonnes of silver bullion) of the ill-fated S.S. Tilawa.  In 2017 Argentum Exploration Ltd. arranged a visit of the S.S. TILAWA wreck site.   In 1942, the Bombay Mint sold the 2,391 silver bars to the Union of South Africa for the purpose of coinage.  

According to some websites, you can now secure a full-size bar struck in 1128.8 ounces of highly pure 99.9% fine silver. That is more than 70 pounds (70.55 pounds) of high-grade silver bullion!   

This is the first time we are viewing the wreck site, and objects from the area of the forgotten tragedy. Yes, the area where we lost 280 of our loved ones.   We hope one day to see these artifacts in-person.   

In 2014, Argentum hired DEEP OCEAN SEARCH LIMITED (DOS) to find the Tilawa wreck site. The survey vessel  used was JOHN LETHBRIDGE. In 2017, DOS managed the silver bar salvage operation, financed by Argentum. Eventually 2,364 (of the 2,391) silver bars were discovered in one of the opium rooms. 

The wreck site was about 800 miles from land. It was expected that the seafloor of the wreck site would be difficult to find and navigate around. DOS say "it was chaotic, with large rocky outcrops interspersed with abyssal plain." The depth of water 4,000 meters +.

Thanks to MAKiX, the intact wreck of approximately the correct dimensions was found. This was impressive since it was within 3 days from the search start.

At a depth of 4,500m, the Comanche ROV quickly located the sonar target. Tilawa was found to be lying port side, unusually, at an approximate angle of 45 degrees. This is due to the rocky ledge the ship landed on. The first seen images corresponded to photographs and drawings. The final confirmation would be to discover the ships name on the bow!

Argentum financed the salvage operation in 2017, which included the usage of the vessel Seabed Worker.

Tilawa had at least two locations of immediate interest, and relatively accessible as potential storage areas. They were the mail room, and the specie room. However, both were empty. 

Operations like this incur great daily expense. To keep vessels like Seabed Worker at sea can cost around $100K USD per-day. This is due to the additional costs such as marine and technical crews, fuel, etc. This can place financial pressure on salvage work, when the item in question is not easily found. 

Tilawa was a very large ship, with many rooms. It was decided to open-up an area deep within the ship. This time it was the Opium Rooms.

The team commenced the tedious task of cutting through hull plates inclined at 45 degrees. They had to systematically cut through various decks to get to this specific small area in the center of the ship. 

Unfortunately the first room was empty. When entering the second room, at first all that could be seen was a jumble of jute sacks. After some digging, metallic objects were in-sight. These were lying at the bottom, pressing against the lower bulkhead of the room. Upon a closer look it was clear this was a cascade of silver bars! 

ROVs could now recover the silver bar by bar. All 2,364.

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