FREE SHIPPING ON ORDERS OF $199 OR MORE
Tilawa Shipwreck Silver Bullion
1/4 oz S.S. Tilawa Shipwreck Silver Wreckage Round (New)
As low as $4.99 per round over spot!
The SS Tilawa, often referred to as the "Indian Titanic," was a passenger ship that met a tragic fate during World War II. It was struck by Japanese torpedoes while sailing from Bombay, India, to Durban, South Africa, with a cargo of silver bars. In 2017, a re...Read More
1/4 oz S.S. Tilawa Shipwreck Silver Voyage Round (New)
As low as $4.99 per round over spot!
During World War II, the S.S. Tilawa met a tragic fate, sinking in the Indian Ocean and taking more than 2,000 silver bullion bars with it. The wreck wasn’t discovered until years later, and in 2017, a salvage operation recovered the silver bars. Today, this...Read More
1/2 oz S.S. Tilawa Shipwreck Silver Wreckage Round (New)
As low as $5.19 per round over spot!
The SS Tilawa, known as the "Indian Titanic," met a tragic fate during World War II when Japanese torpedoes sank the ship on its route from Bombay to Durban. In addition to the tragic loss of life, the ship was carrying 2,364 silver bars, all of which sunk int...Read More
1/2 oz S.S. Tilawa Shipwreck Silver Voyage Round (New)
As low as $5.19 per round over spot!
The S.S. Tilawa was a British-Indian passenger and cargo ship that tragically sank during World War II. On November 23, 1942, while traveling from Bombay to Durban, South Africa, the ship was hit by a torpedo from a Japanese submarine. The attack occurred in t...Read More
1 oz S.S. Tilawa Shipwreck Silver Wreckage Round (New)
As low as $4.99 per oz over spot!
The S.S. Tilawa was tragically lost during World War II, earning the nickname "Indian Titanic." The ship was en route from Bombay, India, to Durban, South Africa, when it was struck by Japanese torpedoes and sank, taking with it 2,364 silver bars. In 2017, nea...Read More
1 oz S.S. Tilawa Shipwreck Voyage Silver Round (New)
As low as $4.99 per oz over spot!
The SS Tilawa, also known as the “Indian Titanic,” met its unfortunate fate during World War II when it was sunk by Japanese torpedoes while on a voyage from Bombay, India, to Durban, South Africa. The wreck took down 2,364 silver bars to the bottom of the...Read More
1 oz S.S. Tilawa Shipwreck Silver Bar (New)
As low as $5.29 per oz over spot!
Shipwreck silver offers a fascinating way to add both value and history to your silver collection. When you purchase silver that has been recovered from a shipwreck, you're not just buying metal—you're acquiring a piece of history. The S.S. Tilawa is one such story, a vessel that tragically sank during World War II. In November 194...Read More
10 oz S.S. Tilawa Shipwreck Silver Bar (New)
As low as $4.49 per oz over spot!
During World War II, the S.S. Tilawa, sometimes called the "Indian Titanic," embarked on a journey from Bombay to Durban, South Africa, but it never arrived. Struck by Japanese torpedoes in the Indian Ocean, the ship sank, carrying with it 2,364 silver bars. Decades later, a 2017 salvage operation recovered around 60 tons of silver f...Read More
Shipwreck Silver from the SS Tilawa
A compelling story is something we all gravitate toward. Whether it’s a fantastical adventure or a classic tale of good versus evil, stories captivate us. Many modern bullion products come with their own stories, but few can offer a direct, tangible connection to history.
Shipwreck gold and silver are among the most fascinating choices for investors and collectors, offering a link to dramatic historical events and maritime tragedies. Now, you have the chance to explore the latest offering in Shipwreck silver, refined from silver bars recovered from the wreckage of the SS Tilawa.
History of the Silver
The SS Tilawa’s story is a heartbreaking one, often referred to as the “Indian Titanic” due to its sinking in the Indian Ocean and the significant loss of life. For silver enthusiasts, the story becomes even more intriguing when considering the Tilawa’s cargo.
In 1942, the Tilawa departed from what is now Mumbai (then Bombay), carrying nearly 60 tons of silver bullion in the form of 2,364 bars. This silver was destined for the South African Mint, where it would be struck into coins for both South Africa and Egypt. However, the SS Tilawa met a tragic fate on November 23, 1942, when it sank to the ocean floor, taking its cargo and many lives with it.
But the story doesn’t end there. In 2017, Argentum Exploration secretly recovered the silver bars from the wreckage of the Tilawa, which lay approximately 1.6 miles beneath the ocean’s surface. By 2020, the value of the recovered silver was estimated at $43 million.
Tilawa Shipwreck Silver Bullion
After a prolonged legal battle over the ownership and rights to sell the silver, Tilawa Shipwreck Silver has been given a new life. While the ultimate fate of all the silver from the Tilawa remains unclear, around 800,000 ounces have been refined into modern silver bars and rounds, available for today’s investors and collectors. These products encapsulate both a tragic historical event and modern bullion in one unique offering.
Background on the SS Tilawa
The SS Tilawa was built in 1924 in Hebburn, a town in South Tyneside, England. Constructed by Hawthorn Leslie & Co. Ltd, the 10,000-ton steam passenger liner was designed for the British Indian Steam Navigation Company. The ship was equipped with three decks, accommodations for 3,290 passengers across two classes, and extensive cargo space.
During World War II, the SS Tilawa was requisitioned by the Royal Navy for use as a troopship, operating primarily out of British-controlled ports in India. In November 1942, the Tilawa embarked on its final journey from Ballard Pier, headed for Durban, Mombasa, and Maputo. On this voyage, the ship was carrying 60 tons of silver, 732 passengers, 222 crew members, and 600 tons of cargo.
On November 23, 1942, the SS Tilawa was struck by two torpedoes launched by a Japanese submarine, causing the ship to sink. Of those on board, 280 people perished, while 678 survivors were rescued after two days at sea. The HMS Birmingham rescued the majority of the survivors, and a few days later, the RMS Carthage discovered an additional four survivors.
Due to the proportionate loss of life, the SS Tilawa is often compared to the Titanic and has earned the somber nickname “Indian Titanic.” It also holds the unfortunate title of being the only known ship sunk due to enemy action in the Indian Ocean during World War II.
Legal Wrangling
In 2017, Argentum Exploration covertly recovered a substantial quantity of silver bars from the wreck of the SS Tilawa. These bars were transported to the United Kingdom, where Argentum believed they rightfully belonged. However, the South African government later filed a lawsuit, claiming that the silver was originally intended for the South African Mint and therefore belonged to South Africa.
In May 2024, after a lengthy court battle, the UK Supreme Court ruled in favor of South Africa, determining that the silver was indeed intended for the production of South African coinage, a sovereign purpose. While South Africa won the case, reports indicate that an out-of-court settlement regarding the silver has been reached.
Buy Tilawa Shipwreck Silver Bullion from BGASC
Opportunities to own shipwreck gold and silver are rare. The limited quantity, the rich history, and the tragic stories behind these items make them much more than just silver bullion – they are pieces of our shared history. If you have any questions about Tilawa Shipwreck Silver, please feel free to ask. BGASC customer service is available at 1-888-992-4272, online using our web chat, and via our email address.