A large amount of the cargo was subsequently salvaged using specialised diving equipment and after escaping Chinese pirates.
[1][2][3] The underwriters paid Captain Lodge to recover the treasure, who then secured the services of divers Robert Ridyard and William Penk of Liverpool.
Using specialised diving apparatus, Ridyard and Penk located the Hamilla Mitchell with its stern over-hanging deep water.
Inside the strong room were treasure chests, many of which had fallen apart, with the floor covered in gold coins.
Ridyard undertook 4 trips down to the strong room and was able to bring to the surface £40,000 coins, consisting of at least 64 boxes [5] After resurfacing, Captain Lodge, Ridyard and Penk became aware of Chinese pirate junks in large numbers pursuing them.