The Spanish galleon San Jose, which sank in 1708, is planned to be recovered from the seabed. It’s an ambitious project by Colombian authorities, but Indians, Spaniards and exploration groups are ready to compete for the treasure, estimated at $20 billion.
The Colombian government is preparing to resurface a treasure ship that has lain on the ocean floor for more than three centuries in a bid to recover what has been dubbed the “Holy Grail of shipwrecks.” The sunken fortune aboard the San Jose galleon may soon be floating on the surface of the Caribbean Sea, thanks to a national mandate.
Focus.Technology has its own technology. telegram channel. Subscribe to avoid missing the latest and most exciting news from the world of science!
The 64-gun, three-masted galleon San José, commissioned by Spain in 1698, met her unfortunate fate when she was sunk by the Royal Navy during the War of the Spanish Succession in 1708. Now, 315 years later, it has become Colombia’s national mission to bring this artifact to the surface.
The wreck contains a cargo that resembles a pirate’s dream: up to 200 tons of gold, silver, emeralds and other valuables currently valued at a staggering $20 billion. San Jose is a floating treasure chest, and the Colombian government is trying to uncover its secrets before President Gustavo Petro finishes his term in 2026.
In December 2015, a team of marine divers said they found San Jose in excellent condition at a depth of almost 1 kilometer. The finds included gold ingots, Chinese pottery, tableware and even ship cannons made in Seville in 1655. Perhaps most strikingly, the ship’s treasure contained approximately 11 million gold coins.
President Peter launched an unprecedented rescue operation aimed at pulling San Jose from the depths of the Caribbean Sea. His plan calls for a public-private partnership to finance and implement this ambitious initiative.
But the treasure hunt is not without complications. Various contestants emerged, each vying for a share of the spoils. A group of American investors, initially known as Glocca Morra and later as Sea Search Armada, claim that a salvage contract signed in 1979 gave them the right to half the cargo.
They claim to have located the wreckage in 1981 and provided the coordinates to Colombian authorities. The government rejects this claim, claiming that the ship is not at the specified location.
Spain, the real owner of the ship and its valuable cargo, also threw its hat into the ring to defend its historical rights. In addition, the indigenous group of Jara Jara Indians in present-day Bolivia argues that they should have rights to the treasure, citing the exploitation of their ancestors by Spanish colonists during the mining of precious metals allegedly found on the ship.
Important
While this maritime drama unfolds, the fate of San Jose remains uncertain and the search for treasure continues to capture the imagination of those tempted by riches lost beneath the waves.
The Colombian government’s quest to resurrect this “holy grail of shipwreck” is a fascinating journey through history, intertwined with legal battles and competitive claims that add an additional layer of complexity to the unfolding saga.
Previously Focus He wrote about the Italian jewelery masterpiece, the Golden Tree of Lucignano, whose missing pieces were recently found.
We also talked about a large-scale treasure from the Roman Empire found by a diver near Sardinia. The treasure consists of tens of thousands of ancient coins.
Source: Focus
Ashley Fitzgerald is an accomplished journalist in the field of technology. She currently works as a writer at 24 news breaker. With a deep understanding of the latest technology developments, Ashley’s writing provides readers with insightful analysis and unique perspectives on the industry.