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SS Egypt

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description SS Egypt Overview

SS Egypt was a British passenger liner operated by the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company. On 20 May 1922, it collided with the French cargo ship Seine in fog off the coast of Brittany and sank, killing 86 people. The wreck attracted sustained attention because it carried a large shipment of gold and silver bullion, much of which was recovered during technically demanding salvage operations in the 1930s.

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How did the SS Egypt sink?

The SS Egypt, a British P&O passenger liner, sank on 20 May 1922 after colliding with the French cargo ship Seine in thick fog off the coast of Brittany. The collision resulted in the loss of 86 lives and sent the vessel to the seabed of the English Channel.

Was there gold treasure on the SS Egypt wreck?

Yes, the SS Egypt was carrying a substantial cargo of gold and silver coins and bullion, valued at over £1 million at the time, intended for commercial use in British India. This made the wreck one of the most valuable treasure shipwrecks of its era.

Was the SS Egypt's gold ever recovered from the wreck?

Yes, the wreck was located and salvaged in the early 1930s by an Italian salvage company operating the vessel Artiglio. The operation recovered the majority of the gold and silver from a depth of over 400 feet, which was a remarkable deep-sea salvage achievement for that era.

What shipping company operated the SS Egypt?

The SS Egypt was operated by the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company, commonly known as P&O, one of Britain's oldest and most prominent shipping lines. The ship was part of P&O's regular service route between Britain and India.

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