Colombia Starts Exploration Of "Holy Grail of Shipwrecks" In The Caribbean Sea

The Colombian Government began a significant exploration project of the 18th-century Spanish galleon San José, also known as the “holy grail of shipwrecks.”

The operation marked the beginning of an extensive effort to uncover and preserve one of the most valuable shipwrecks in history, which is believed to contain £16 Billion ($20 Billion) in treasure.

Culture Minister Juan David Correa described the expedition as unprecedented.

It would use remote sensors and underwater robots to characterize the site and compile an inventory of archaeological objects.

The British Royal Navy sank the San José off the coast of Cartagena, Colombia, in 1708 as part of a battle between Spain and Britain.

The galleon was carrying a large cargo of gold, silver, and emeralds intended to fund the Spanish war effort, and over 600 crew members were killed in the attack.

The wreck, discovered in 2015, is more than 2,000 feet below the surface, making it inaccessible to human divers and keeping its contents safe from looters.

Since Colombia’s discovery in 2015, there have been legal challenges regarding ownership.

Spain, the US salvage company Sea Search Armada, and descendants of the indigenous people who mined the treasures have all filed claims.

Despite these disagreements, the Colombian government designated the site as a protected archaeological area to preserve it.

Video Credits: The Telegraph/YouTube

The project’s initial step, known as the “characterization phase,” involves tracing the debris and gathering data with remote-controlled submersibles.

This phase aims to inventory the ship’s contents and determine the wreck’s condition without disturbing it.

According to the Colombian Institute of Anthropology and History, the findings from this initial phase will decide future activities.

The government set aside $45 million in February to fund the exploration.

Robotic equipment has already revealed photographs of coins and other items spread throughout the sea floor.

Plans may include removing certain items from the wreck for investigation to determine the best ways for further recovery and preservation.

The wreck’s location is still closely guarded to avoid unauthorized access.

President Gustavo Petro, who took office in 2022, has declared a desire to recover the treasures and is accepting proposals from commercial salvage businesses, maybe including US or European firms with experience in deep-water projects.

Despite the controversial allegations, the Colombian government has stated that no large-scale excavations are planned in the early stages.

The focus remains on the site’s scientific and heritage value, with the mission trying to “claim the heritage elements for which the remains of the galleon should be valued,” according to Minister Correa.

This effort is a breakthrough moment in maritime archaeology and a critical step toward understanding and conserving an essential piece of Colombian and global history.

Reference: BBC, FOX News

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