The long-awaited expedition into an 18th-century shipwreck in the Caribbean Sea has finally begun, sparking excitement and anticipation among historians and treasure hunters alike. The government of Colombia recently launched the deep-water expedition of the San José shipwreck, a legendary vessel rumored to contain cargo worth billions of dollars.
The San José galleon sank in 1708 en route to Cartagena, Colombia, after being ambushed by an English squadron. Historians believe that approximately 600 people perished in the tragedy, with very few survivors. The shipwreck is said to hold 11 million gold and silver coins, as well as emeralds and other valuable cargo, including chests full of jewels and gold coins intended for King Philip V of Spain.
The discovery of the San José shipwreck in 2015, at a depth of around 600 meters, has only added to its mythical reputation. Dubbed the “Holy Grail of Shipwrecks,” the vessel has captured the imagination of many due to the vast amount of treasures it is said to contain. Robotic equipment attached to a naval ship has been used to map the wreck and capture images of the coins scattered on the ocean floor, some even found among seashells.
With the Colombian government investing $45 million into the exploration, the treasure is estimated to be worth as much as $20 billion. Colombia’s minister of culture has emphasized the importance of claiming the heritage elements of the galleon, stating that “history is the treasure.” The rights to the sunken treasure have been claimed by Colombia, Spain, and the United States, with the exact location of the shipwreck remaining a closely guarded secret.
As the expedition continues to uncover the secrets of the San José shipwreck, the world eagerly awaits the potential discovery of one of the most valuable treasures lost at sea.
