The San José Galleon is one of the most famous shipwrecks in history. It was a Spanish ship that sank in 1708 during the War of the Spanish Succession, a conflict that pitted Spain and France against a coalition of European powers led by Great Britain.
The San José was carrying a huge cargo of gold, silver and emeralds, worth an estimated $20 billion in today’s currency. It was part of a fleet that tried to reach Spain with the riches from its colonies in South America.
The San José was attacked by a British squadron near the Colombian port city of Cartagena and exploded after a fierce battle. About 600 crew members died and the treasure sank to the bottom of the Caribbean Sea.
The exact location of the wreck remained a mystery for centuries until it was claimed to have been discovered in 1981 by an American company called Sea Search Armada (SSA). SSA said it had an agreement with Colombia to share the fortune, but Colombia denied. and claimed full ownership of the ship.
The dispute escalated in 2015, when Colombia announced that its navy had located the San José in another location using advanced technology. Colombia has not disclosed the coordinates of the wreck, citing security and cultural reasons.
It also said it planned to retrieve the treasure and build a museum to display it. However, SSA sued Colombia for breach of contract and demanded half of the premium, or $10 billion. The case is still pending before an arbitration court in London.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro, has ordered the ship that must be recovered from the bottom of the Caribbean Sea as quickly as possible.
Culture Minister Juan David Correa told Bloomberg: “The president has told us to pick up the pace.”
Petro wants to bring the three-masted ship to the surface before his term ends in 2026.
The creation of the San Jose comes amid an ongoing court battle over who owns the treasure.
Meanwhile, other parties have also claimed a share in San José’s treasure. Spain claims that the ship is a state ship and that its contents belong to its cultural heritage.
Peru and Panama say the treasure was originally looted from their countries by Spanish colonists. The indigenous Qhara Qhara nation of Bolivia say their ancestors were forced to mine the precious metals and gemstones in the 16th century. They all want to have a share or say in how the treasure is handled.
Among the objects on board are cannons made in Seville in 1655, gold coins from various countries and an intact Chinese tableware with inscriptions.
The San José is also surrounded by legends and myths. Some say it was cursed by a witch who wanted revenge for the death of her loved one at the hands of the Spanish. Others say it was protected by dolphins who carried it to safety. Some even say it holds the key to a secret code that reveals the location of other sunken treasures.
The San José is also called the ‘Holy Grail of shipwrecks’ because of its enormous value and significance. It is also one of the most controversial and contested shipwrecks in history.
