- Colombia mentioned it might attempt to recuperate objects from a Spanish warship that sank off its coast in 1708, the Related Press reported.
- The San José galleon is believed to have been carrying treasures price billions of {dollars}.
- Colombia’s tradition minister mentioned it’s a scientific expedition for underwater archaeological analysis.
Colombia mentioned it’s going to attempt to recuperate objects from a Spanish warship that sank off the coast of port metropolis Cartagena in 1708, the Related Press reported on Thursday.
The shipwreck of the San José galleon — which has been referred to as the “holy grail of shipwrecks” — is believed to be carrying billions of {dollars} price of things, together with greater than 7 million pesos, 116 metal chests stuffed with emeralds, and 30 million gold cash. It sank in a battle towards British ships.
Juan David Correa, Colombia’s tradition minister, mentioned the nation will attempt to make its first restoration from the ship in April or Might subsequent yr, topic to ocean situations, the AP reported.
Colombia’s transfer to recuperate objects from the shipwreck — positioned in 2015 — could be controversial.
In 2018, the United Nations Instructional, Scientific and Cultural Group urged Colombia to not exploit the shipwreck commercially.
A US salvage firm can also be suing Colombia for half of San José’s treasures. The ship’s cargo is price wherever from $4 billion to $20 billion, Bloomberg reported final month, citing court docket instances in latest many years.
Correa, Colombia’s tradition minister, pledged that the restoration of objects from the San José’s could be a scientific expedition, per AP.
“That is an archaeological wreck, not a treasure,” Correa mentioned, in accordance with the information company. “This is a chance for us to grow to be a rustic on the forefront of underwater archaeological analysis.”
