Colombia's government has unveiled plans for a groundbreaking deep-water expedition to explore the legendary galleon San José, which sank in the 18th century in the northern Caribbean waters of the country. The ship is believed to hold a treasure trove valued at billions of dollars.
The initial phase of the scientific research will focus on gathering data to assess the feasibility of extracting select artifacts from the wreckage, which lies at a depth of 600 meters (almost 2,000 feet) below the sea surface. The exact location of the galleon, discovered by Colombia in 2015, remains a closely guarded state secret.
An investment of approximately $4.5 million has been earmarked by the Colombian government for this year to fund an archaeological exploration of the 62-gun, three-masted galleon that met its demise in 1708 after being attacked by an English squadron en route to Cartagena.
The government has clarified that it does not intend to engage with private entities during the initial phase of the investigation. The expedition, set to commence in the spring, is contingent on favorable weather conditions.
The operation will involve deploying robotic equipment connected to a navy vessel, enabling detailed documentation of the underwater site through cameras and satellite technology. The robotic system, procured by Colombia in 2021, boasts the capability to descend up to 1,500 meters (4,900 feet) below the surface.
The primary objective of the mission is to shed light on the lives of the 600 individuals aboard the galleon at the time of its sinking, as well as to study the daily existence, cargo, armaments, and merchandise from the colonial era in the Americas.
Colombia's Minister of Culture emphasized the historical significance of the galleon, stressing that its value lies in its heritage rather than its monetary worth. The ship has been embroiled in legal disputes across the United States, Colombia, and Spain regarding ownership rights to the sunken riches.
Colombia recently initiated arbitration proceedings against Sea Search Armada, a group of American investors, over the economic claims to the San José. The firm asserts a $10 billion stake, representing half of the galleon's estimated treasure, which they purportedly discovered in 1982.
The San José is rumored to house a vast fortune of 11 million gold and silver coins, emeralds, and other precious commodities from Spain's colonial territories, potentially amounting to billions of dollars if salvaged.
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