The Colombian Navy has just unveiled previously unseen images of the legendary shipwreck of the San Jose, believed to contain treasures worth billions of USD.
The Colombian Navy conducted four surveys using remotely operated vehicles to depths of nearly 950 meters off the coast of the country, where the San Jose has “rested” for over three centuries.
Cut from the video showing the wreck of the San Jose off the coast of Cartagena. (Photo: AFP)
The results indicate that the ancient ship has not been affected by “human intervention.” The cannons are covered in mud, along with porcelain items, glass bottles, and even intact gold coins found on the wreck. A portion of the ship’s bow and hull is visibly overgrown with algae and shellfish.
Gold coins scattered around. (Photo: AFP)
Colombian authorities reported that they also accidentally discovered two other shipwrecks during the San Jose exploration mission: a large colonial-era sailing ship and a post-colonial sailing vessel.
“Thanks to the technological equipment and the efforts of the Colombian Navy, we have captured images with unprecedented precision,” stated President Ivan Duque. He noted that the wreck is being preserved intact for potential future recovery. However, when that occurs, Colombia will face disputes from Spain and a group of indigenous people in Bolivia.
Painting depicting the San Jose being sunk by the British Navy in a fierce battle off Cartagena in 1708. (Photo: BBC)
On November 27, 2015, the Colombian Navy located the wreck of the San Jose using an autonomous underwater vehicle named REMUS 6000. From the images obtained from the seabed, archaeologists identified the legendary San Jose thanks to dozens of bronze cannons featuring distinctive dolphin engravings. The government classified the location of the ancient ship as a national secret.
However, this large three-masted ship belonged to Spanish King Philip V when it was sunk by British warships near the port city of Cartagena, Colombia, in 1708. Only a few of the 600 crew members survived. At that time, it was laden with precious treasures, estimated to be worth up to 17 billion USD in today’s currency. Before its discovery in 2015, the San Jose had always been a target for treasure hunters. Experts believe it holds at least 200 tons of gold, silver, and emeralds.
Rare porcelain and ceramic items. (Photo: AFP)
Colombian law regards shipwrecks found within its territorial waters as part of the national cultural heritage, meaning that everything inside the ship cannot be sold.
Meanwhile, Spain claims that these treasures rightfully belong to them, while the indigenous Qhara Qhara group in Bolivia asserts that they are entitled to the treasure due to the Spanish oppression of their ancestors who extracted it in the past.
When the wreck was discovered, then-President Juan Manuel Santos hailed it as the most valuable treasure ever found in world history. He proposed funding the San Jose recovery project by selling a portion of the valuables.
A gun bearing the distinctive engravings of San Jose. (Photo: AFP)
President Ivan Duque later ordered the halt of that plan to ensure the wreck remains intact within Colombian territory. Authorities have announced intentions to establish a museum about the shipwreck to become a source of pride for Colombia, the Caribbean, and the world.
Recovering the wreck of the San Jose at depths nearing 1,000 meters below sea level presents both technological and scientific challenges.
Built in 1698 by Duke Arístides Eslava, the San Jose was the flagship of Spain’s treasure fleet. During wartime, the San Jose regularly sailed between Peru and Spain to transport precious metals and gemstones. When the San Jose sank in a battle with the British in 1708, it was carrying accumulated treasures from six years, including gold and silver mined from Peru, chests full of Colombian emeralds, and millions of gold and silver peso coins. The exact value of the treasure is unknown, but after decades of litigation, its worth is estimated to be between 4 and 20 billion USD. |
