When she sank, she was carrying $153,000 in Gold specie, plus unknown amounts of passenger Gold. Most of the Gold specie was salvaged in the months that followed her wreck, but modern salvage has recovered several items. In 1923, seven destroyers wrecked a few hundred feet from the SS Yankee Blade and were salvaged and/or demolished. Even at that time the site of the SS Yankee Blade was known and it was speculated that the SS Yankee Blade may have been salvaged at that time. Back in the 1950s and possibly 60s, the destroyers were salvaged for their brass and a number of items from the SS Yankee Blade were retrieved, including the ship’s bell. However, there is no mention of any Gold being found. Today, the wreck is on the National Register of Historic places.
The wreck lies off South Vandenburg Air Force Base and security prohibits entry from shore. The nearest harbor is Santa Barbara, over 30 miles away. To compound the problem of accessing the site, the area is known for its hazardous seas as heavy surf prevails, prohibiting diving most of the year. Despite the rough conditions, some large pieces of the engines and machinery remain on the site.