 Numerous attempts have been made to salvage the gold . In 1893 , the nephew of Colonel Seton wrote that a certain Mr. <unk> at the Cape obtained permission from the Cape Government to dive the wreck of the Birkenhead in search of the treasure . A June 1958 salvage attempt by a renowned Cape Town diver recovered anchors and some brass fittings , but no gold . In 1986 @-@ 1988 , a combined archaeological and salvage excavation was carried out by Aqua Exploration , Depth Recovery Unit and <unk> Marine Salvage Company . Only a few gold coins were recovered , which appear to have been the personal possessions of the passengers and crew . 
