SS Gairsoppa Operational Overview

In 2010, the United Kingdom (UK) Government Department for Transport awarded Odyssey, through a competitive bid, the exclusive salvage contract for the cargo of the SS Gairsoppa. Under the salvage agreement, Odyssey will retain 80% of the net salved value of the silver bullion recovered under the contract.

Before beginning the offshore search operations for Gairsoppa, Odyssey conducted extensive research using multiple sources to determine the highest probability area to search. Odyssey also acquired data from a previous search for the shipwreck. The Gairsoppa was located outside of the previous search area; near the location that Odyssey’s research department believed that the ship would be located.

The target shipwreck was located using the MAK-1M (deep-tow low frequency sonar system), aboard the chartered Russian research vessel RV Yuzhmorgeologiya. Visual inspection of the site was conducted with a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) from the Odyssey Explorer. The video and still images acquired during the exploration of the shipwreck with the ROV were reviewed and analyzed at length to confirm the identity of the shipwreck as that of the SS Gairsoppa. The expedition and resulting data was also used to evaluate the condition of the shipwreck and to plan for recovery operations The Gairsoppa was discovered approximately 4700 meters below the surface of the north Atlantic, in international waters approximately 300 miles off the coast of Ireland.

Recovery operations are expected to commence in the second quarter of 2012. Odyssey has already identified the technology and equipment necessary to recover the silver cargo from the Gairsoppa and mobilization plans are being finalized. One of the world's top deep-ocean salvage experts was aboard during the verification expedition to consult with Odyssey on customization of the system that will be used for the recovery operations.

A number of consultants, who have combined experience salvaging scores of modern steel-hulled shipwrecks, are advising Odyssey on the project. Among other ground-breaking projects, one of the companies has successfully penetrated four decks of a large steel-hulled shipwreck at a depth of nearly 3,000 meters in order to completely empty the mail room. In addition, several Odyssey team members have experience with modern salvage to depths of nearly 6,000 meters on military and government missions. The operation on the Gairsoppa, which is sitting upright and will consist of recovering cargo through open holds, should prove to be significantly less complex.

To verify the identity of the shipwreck, Odyssey conducted extensive research to understand the features that would be expected on the SS Gairsoppa, taking into consideration what other ships could possibly be in the area. During the visual ROV inspection, Odyssey’s archaeology and marine operations teams examined the shipwreck looking for expected characteristics and any characteristics which could rule out the site as that of the Gairsoppa. The video and still images acquired during the ROV dive on the wreck was analyzed at length. The identity of the shipwreck as that of the SS Gairsoppa was confirmed by many features including:

• length, width and height of shipwreck
• torpedo damage located as per the U-boat log entry
• large cargo of tea chests observed, which matches manifest listing 1700+ tons of tea
• the "three island" cargo ship profile
• five cargo holds (number 3 hold particular to this class and type of vessel)
• nine derricks
• steam driven derrick winches
• anchor type and location on bow
• shape of bow
• forward accommodation layout and location of pantry stores hatch
• poop deck layout and features
• bollard and scupper locations
• forecastle layout and features
• hull colors match the British India Company color scheme
• cracks on either side of the hull relate to accounts of the sinking