“Black birds tend to like shiny things.” ~ The Bloody Raven.
In keeping with the observance of Remembrance Day this November 11th, 2025 I have the opportunity to post this special silver round that reminds us civilians were also casualties of war. The attack on SS Tilawa and her sinking was a relatively little known incident, a mere footnote in the course of World War 2 until she was discovered in 2014 by Advanced Maritime services under contract by Argentum Exploration Ltd.
Last year’s 12 Days of Christmas I posted this SS Tilawa silver round as a Wish Item to add into my Shipwreck Silver collection and thus prompting my dive into this obscure moment in history. This round has not been easy to find and no retailer had imported this into Canada with the reason being, not a very popular topic or theme to sell into a small and price competitive market. Until this silver round appeared on the website of a new local web retailer I discovered just this September.
A few accounts written in a single Narrative form
November 23rd, 1942 three days out of Mumbai (Bombay) under the cover of darkness the S.S. Tilawa continues to steam south to her destination of Durban South Africa. The moon is bright in the clear night sky revealing the lone passenger ship made vulnerable on the open sea. Anxiety haunts many of the passengers, current events of war naught the thoughts of most passenger and crew alike. The Allied merchant naval operations have been suffering heavy losses according to Commonwealth news services and the specter of a prowling hostile submarine hung heavy in the air. The ship maintaining a blackout did little to ease everyone. The crew and staff constantly assure the passengers that the ship does have four gunners for protection and all will be well. Their body language said otherwise.
Later that evening a Muslim student with his companions studying in India was trying to get some rest and hopefully some sleep until he heard an eerie whistling sound followed by a loud bang. Shaken, his body overwhelmed by a survival instinct and ran for safety forgetting his companions.
The crowded decks of people turned into a mass of confusion, chaos and panic.
The first lifeboats were filled with the crew and launched out into the rough waters of the Arabian sea leaving the remaining to fend for themselves.
There wasn’t enough lifeboats as the ship slowed to a stop.
Two young Indian brothers made their way into one of the few remaining lifeboats, there was only one life jacket, the elder brother pushed the jacket into the younger one’s arms, “You take it, I’m the expert swimmer, I will be fine!” As the lifeboat was lowered, one of the tackle failed to disengage tossing everyone into the dark swirling waters below. The semi-conscience boy was yanked out of the water by the collar of the life jacket into a raft. He never saw his elder brother again.
Bonus silver coin
Back on the Tilawa desperation reigned as mothers and fathers put their children into the hands of strangers of what room was left in the few remaining lifeboats and choosing to stay aboard. It was heartbreaking to see.
After some time and putting some distance from the stricken Tilawa, some of the crews in the boats pondered on returning to the ship. She was still afloat and could be saved if they could limp her to the nearest port for repairs. An attempt to re-board the ship was just underway when a second torpedo struck her port side. The explosion violently shook the ship, the Tilawa’s structure moaned and cracked, the stack now belched black smoke, then in minutes the ship slipped under the surface.
For at least two days, the life boats were at the mercy of the rough unforgiving sea. The survivors endured nausea, sickness and the cold elements. Only a barrel of potable water was available for each boat but the conditions were so bad nothing could be kept down. Most boats were swamped with seawater making any headway impossible even if they knew what direction to go.
On the morning of third day following the sinking of the SS Tilawa the HMS Birmingham spotted the lifeboats after responding to the Tilawa’s distress call. The Carthage followed up a few days after for further survivors.
Casualties; 28 of 222 crew, and 252 of 732 passengers.
The purpose of the SS Tilawa 1942 commemorative website is to raise awareness, collate information and news about the SS Tilawa and bring some closure to the families of the victims of this tragedy. They will not be forgotten.
According to an account by a survivor, overheard in a discussion by crew members of the HMS Birmingham that the Japanese attacked the Tilawa because she carried a ‘Treasure’ of 80 tons of silver. Also, prior to the arrival of the HMS Birmingham was the presence of an unknown ship that came to document the tragedy and location but did not attempt any rescue, ignoring the survivors.
A little Suspicious? 🤔 I think so.
For now, to my Commonwealth friends, have a fine Remembrance Day.
My American friends, a fine Veteran's Day.
Remember; "Freedom is never free."
And thanks for dropping in.
The #piratesunday tag is the scurvy scheme of Captain 
Previous Shipwreck Silver Collection Posts.
1874 cc American Trade dollar – SS Japan Shipwreck Silver coin.
2023 1622 Atocha Fantasy 8 Reales Cob.
1774 Mexican Colonial 2 Reales – El Cazador.
1102 – 1106 10 Cash Bronze Northern Song Dynasty coin.
10 Troy oz. Gairsoppa Shipwreck Silver Bar.
Stacking Precious metals and Crypto for those dark stormy days!
References & Sources
Tilawa1942 Commemorative website.
SS Tilawa.com. Commemorative website.
Photos are my own shot with an ancient 2018 Samsung SM-A530W or otherwise indicated.
P. Image under Pixabay
W. Wiki Commons
☠️🎃 Page Dividers by thekittygirl. ❄️🌞
Cameo Raven Brooch from The Black Wardrobe.
Physical precious metals bullion stacking is only a part of my personal overall financial strategy. Meanwhile, collecting numismatics are a different set of objectives and strategy. Unless you are a complete nutcase as I am please, do your research before deciding to buy into any bullion or numismatic products.