In a landmark moment for underwater archaeology, Colombia has successfully recovered the first tangible objects from the legendary San José galleon, a Spanish ship that sank in the Caribbean Sea over 300 years ago.
The Historic Recovery
Colombian scientists have brought to the surface a cannon, three gold coins, and a delicate porcelain cup from the depths where the San José met its fate in 1708. This operation forms part of a government-authorised scientific investigation initiated last year to study the famous wreckage and determine the precise circumstances of its sinking.
The research team located the galleon in 2015, a discovery that sparked numerous legal and diplomatic disputes. To protect the site, the Colombian government has classified the ship's exact location as a state secret. The wreck lies at a depth of 600 metres (almost 2,000 feet), making the recovery a complex deep-water expedition.
The Ship's Fabled History
The San José was a formidable 62-gun, three-masted galleon on a crucial mission. It was returning to Europe laden with treasure intended to fund the War of the Spanish Succession when it was ambushed and sunk by a British squadron near the port city of Cartagena.
Dubbed the 'holy grail of shipwrecks', the vessel is believed to contain an astonishing cargo. Estimates suggest it holds 11 million gold and silver coins, along with emeralds and other precious items from Spanish-controlled colonies. If ever fully recovered, the total value could reach billions of dollars.
Research Over Riches
President Gustavo Petro's administration has emphasised that the primary goal of this expedition is scientific research, not treasure hunting. Colombia's culture ministry confirmed that the recovered cannon, coins, and cup will undergo a meticulous conservation process at a laboratory dedicated to this project.
While the prevailing historical account states the ship sank due to an explosion during the battle, the Colombian government is exploring other possibilities, including potential damage to the hull.
The San José remains at the centre of an international legal battle, with claims from the United States, Colombia, and Spain over ownership rights. Colombia is currently in arbitration with the US-based Sea Search Armada, a group of investors who claim to have found the wreck in 1982 and are seeking $10 billion, representing what they believe is their share of the treasure's value.
