Colombia begins exploring 'holy grail of shipwrecks' [View all]
26 May 2024
Cachella Smith,
BBC News
The first phase of Colombia's project will survey the items in the wreck
Among the estimated £16bn treasure trove are cannons and porcelain cups (pictured)
The Colombian government has started exploring a sunk 18th Century Spanish galleon dubbed the “holy grail of shipwrecks”.
The South American nation has also declared a protected archaeological area around the San José galleon - which was sunk by the British Royal Navy in 1708 in the Caribbean Sea.
The ship, whose ownership remains contested, was carrying one of the largest hauls of valuables ever lost at sea when it was attacked just outside of the Colombian city of Cartagena.
It is estimated to be laden with as much as £16bn ($20bn) in treasure.
At the time, the vessel had been transporting its precious cargo to the Spanish king to help pay for his war against the British. Almost 600 crew members went down with it.
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