Plans to Plunder the San Jose Galleon Approved

Approval Granted to Recover Legendary Shipwreck Laden with Billions in Treasure, Centuries After Sinking

Colombia has officially greenlit a plan to salvage the fabled San Jose galleon, which sank off the coast of Colombia more than three centuries ago while carrying a cargo of gold, silver, and emeralds. The announcement of this significant decision was made by officials earlier this week.

Referred to as the “holy grail” of shipwrecks, the 316-year-old wreck, discovered in 2015, has stirred both archaeological and economic interests due to its estimated multibillion-dollar value.

In a news release on Tuesday, the Colombian government declared, “For the first time in history, a model of comprehensive public management of the archaeological site and asset of cultural interest, protected by regulations and public missionality, is advanced.”

Colombia is set to invest over $1 million in the recovery endeavor, scheduled to commence next month, according to officials.

Last month, Culture Minister Juan David Correa disclosed to Agence France-Presse (AFP) that an underwater robot would be deployed to extract some of the treasure. The robot is anticipated to operate at a depth of 600 meters and retrieve items such as ceramics, wood pieces, and shells without disturbing the wreck.

The specific location of the operation is being kept confidential to safeguard the site from unauthorized treasure hunters.

The San Jose galleon, owned by the Spanish crown, was sunk by the British navy near Cartagena in 1708, resulting in the loss of most of its crew. Laden with valuable cargo including chests of emeralds and hundreds of tons of gold coins, the ship was en route from the New World to the court of King Philip V of Spain.

The announcement of the salvage mission coincides with an ongoing legal dispute at the UN’s Permanent Court of Arbitration between Colombia and the U.S.-based salvage company Sea Search Armada, which asserts its prior discovery of the wreck over 40 years ago.

In June 2022, Colombia reported that a remotely operated vehicle had captured images of the wreckage 900 meters below the ocean surface, revealing a glimpse of the treasure trove aboard the San Jose, including gold ingots, coins, cannons, and a fully intact Chinese dinner service. Additionally, the vehicle uncovered two other shipwrecks in the vicinity, one of which is believed to be a schooner dating back approximately two centuries.

San Jose Wikipedia Page-
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_galleon_San_Jos%C3%A9