The Colombian government is preparing to reclaim the ‘Holy Grail of shipwrecks’ and its estimated $20 billion worth of treasures from the ocean depths.
Officials announced that the ship, named the “San Jose,” was deliberately sunk by the British navy in 1708 off the coast of Cartagena. They further confirmed their intention to expedite the recovery of this treasure-laden shipwreck.
Historical accounts suggest the ship foundered while carrying a vast trove of riches, including 200 tonnes of emeralds, silver, and an astonishing eleven million gold coins.
Back in November 2015, when the shipwreck was initially discovered, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos described the treasure as “the most valuable that has been found in the history of humanity.”
A team of naval divers located the San Jose in 2015, resting approximately 3,100 feet beneath the ocean’s surface.
Photographs captured by the navy divers revealed the ship’s astonishing state of preservation, despite having lain on the ocean floor for over three centuries.
The Colombian government has articulated its intention to recover the ship before the conclusion of President Gustavo Petro’s term in 2026.
Post Your Comments