Colombia begins exploring the wreck of a ship carrying $20 billion in treasure

Colombia conducted the first phase of an underwater expedition to discover the wreck of a Spanish warship that sank in the Caribbean Sea more than 300 years ago.

The wreck of the San José sunk to the bottom of the Caribbean Sea. (Photo: Colombian Armada)

Discovered in 2015 in the waters off the port city of Cartegena by the Spanish government, the San José is often dubbed the "Holy Grail." The 3-masted ship armed with 62 guns was the flagship and largest warship in the Spanish fleet. The San José ship carries gold, silver, emeralds and many rare goods worth about 20 billion USD from mines in Potosi, Peru. En route from Panama to Colombia, the ship sank with 600 people on board on June 8, 1708 during a battle with British ships during the War of the Spanish Succession.

The first phase of the expedition focused on photographing the ship using non-invasive remote sensors, according to the Colombian Institute of Anthropology and History (ICANH). Results from the preliminary expedition could pave the way for more subsequent explorations, including salvaging archaeological material from the wreck. The photos will be used to build an inventory of archaeological finds on the seabed.

ICANH also declared the wreck discovery site a "protected archaeological area" to preserve its scientific value. Researchers say they are planning to use underwater vessels equipped with sonar technology, as well as remote-controlled vehicles with multiple sensors and tools that can descend to the depths of the wreck. . "The government is exploring the sinking of the warship to learn about history and culture ," Colombian Minister of Culture Juan David Correa shared at a press conference on May 22.

The discovery of the San José wreck is important for Colombia due to the treasure trove of antiquities of historical and cultural value on board as well as the clues they can provide about the economic, cultural and political situation of Europe in the early 18th century. However, the wreck also sparked a fierce legal battle. Colombia claims it first discovered the San José shipwreck in 2015 with the assistance of international scientists. But an American maritime salvage company called Sea Search-Armada (SSA), formerly known as Glocca Morra, argues it was the first to discover the wreck in the early 1980s.

SSA waged a legal battle with the Colombian government at the Permanent Court of Arbitration for ownership of $10 billion, about half the estimated value of the ship's treasure. The sinking of the San José and its accompanying cargo caused financial hardship for many merchants across Europe and the Americas, according to a report released by the SSA.