The Detail The treasure's in the tales
Jan 29, 2026
Garth McIntyre, adventurer and seasoned commercial and recreational diver from Wellington, brings decades of shipwreck exploration. He tells stories about famous salvages like the Tasmania and Kelly Tarlton’s finds. He discusses diving limits, commercial salvage challenges, legal protections for wrecks, and the tension between souvenir-taking and preserving maritime heritage.
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Tarleton's Rothschild Jewellery Find
- Kelly Tarleton bought rights to the SS Tasmania and led a salvage in the 1970s that recovered hundreds of pieces of jewelry.
- He described finding a patch of tile floor and knowing a suitcase with about $100,000 worth of jewellery lay nearby.
Rescue, Not Sinking, Caused Deaths
- No one died from the Tasmania sinking itself; fatalities occurred during rescue as lifeboats overturned near shore.
- Survivors struggled in heavy clothing and many couldn't swim, leading to drownings after reaching land.
Depth Makes Casual Salvage Impractical
- The Tasmania lies around 35 metres deep, making recreational bottom time very limited and commercial salvage difficult.
- Meaningful recovery requires serious equipment, planning and expense, not casual dives.