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Shipwreck Interest - 1902 "SS Elingamite" Half Sovereign & Silver Coins
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Lot Details
Gold half sovereign and set of silver coins salvaged from the wreck of the SS Elingamite. Wrecked in November 1902, the sinking of the SS Elingamite resulted in the loss of 45 passengers and crew. Having struck "West Island" of the Three Kings Island group, the Elingamite slipped beneath the waves in just 20 minutes. As well as the great loss of life, the ship took with her 52 boxes of coins, including 6000 half sovereigns that were destined for New Zealand banks. In thick fog, the captain with incorrect charts, tried to navigate the tricky waters around the Three Kings. Believing he was at a safe distance, the ship struck West Island and he was subsequently found liable for the loss of life and ship at the inquest into the incident. It wasn't until Captain Scott's ship of Antarctic fame, the "Terra Nova", completed survey work years later that he was finally exonerated. The Three Kings had been incorrectly plotted and Captain Attwood was exactly where he said he was. Owing to the cargo value, which is often inflated with tall stories of "unregistered bullion" being onboard, salvage operations were commenced very early on. Tragically, these early efforts resulting in the loss of two divers in 1907 which spelled an end for the initial salvage. With an undisclosed amount of coins (believed to be minimal) being recovered in the years following the wreck, it wasn't until Kelly Tarlton and his team dived her that any real quantities of coins were brought to the surface. The Elingamite continues to be a popular diving site for recreational divers and treasure hunters.
