Colombia Looks To Recover Billions In Treasure From 1708 Shipwreck

Colombia Looks To Recover Billions In Treasure From 1708 Shipwreck

BOGOTA, Colombia (AP)– The Colombian federal government stated Thursday it will attempt to raise things from the 1708 shipwreck of the galleon San Jose, which is thought to consist of a freight worth billions of dollars.

The 300-year-old wreck, frequently called the “holy grail of shipwrecks,” has actually been questionable, since it is both a historical and financial treasure.

Culture Minister Juan David Correa stated the very first efforts will be made in between April and May, depending upon ocean conditions in the Caribbean. Correa promised it would be a clinical exploration.

“This is a historical wreck, not a treasure,” Correa stated following a conference with President Gustavo Petro. “This is a chance for us to end up being a nation at the leading edge of undersea historical research study.”

Correa stated the product drawn out from the wreck, most likely by robotic or submersible craft, would be taken aboard a navy ship for analysis. Based upon the outcomes, a 2nd effort may be arranged.

FILE - This undated image made from a mosaic of images taken by a self-governing undersea automobile, launched by the Colombian Institute of Anthropology and History, reveals the remains of the Spanish galleon San Jose, that decreased off the Colombian Caribbean coast as it was attempting to outrun a fleet of British warships on June 8, 1708. The Colombian federal government stated Dec. 21, 2023 it will attempt to raise things from the shipwreck, which is thought to consist of a freight worth billions of dollars. (Colombian Institute of Anthropology and History by means of AP, File)
FILE – This undated image made from a mosaic of pictures taken by a self-governing undersea automobile, launched by the Colombian Institute of Anthropology and History, reveals the remains of the Spanish galleon San Jose, that decreased off the Colombian Caribbean coast as it was attempting to outrun a fleet of British warships on June 8, 1708. The Colombian federal government stated Dec. 21, 2023 it will attempt to raise items from the shipwreck, which is thought to consist of a freight worth billions of dollars. (Colombian Institute of Anthropology and History by means of AP, File)

by means of Associated Press

The San Jose galleon sank in fight with British ships more than 300 years earlier. It was found in 2015 however has actually been bogged down in legal and diplomatic conflicts.

In 2018, the Colombia federal government deserted strategies to excavate the wreck, amidst conflicts with a personal company that declares some salvage rights based upon a 1980s arrangement with Colombian federal government.

In 2018, the United Nations cultural firm gotten in touch with Colombia not to commercially make use of the wreck.

A UNESCO specialists’ body safeguarding undersea cultural heritage sent out a letter to Colombia revealing issue that recuperating the treasure for sale instead of for its historic worth “would trigger the irretrievable loss of considerable heritage.”

“Allowing the industrial exploitation of Colombia’s cultural heritage breaks the very best clinical requirements and worldwide ethical concepts as set particularly in the UNESCO Underwater Cultural Heritage Convention,” the letter stated.

Colombia has actually not signed the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea, which would subject it to worldwide requirements and need it to notify UNESCO of its prepare for the wreck.

The wreck was found 3 years ago with the assistance of a worldwide group of specialists and self-governing undersea cars, and its precise area is a state trick. The ship sank someplace in the broad location off Colombia’s Baru peninsula, south of Cartagena, in the Caribbean Sea.

The ship has actually been the topic of a legal fight in the U.S., Colombia and Spain over who owns the rights to the sunken treasure.

The three-decked San Jose was apparently 150 feet (45 meters) long, with a beam of 45 feet (14 meters) and equipped with 64 weapons.

Colombia has actually stated that scientists discovered bronze cannons that remain in excellent condition, together with ceramic and porcelain vases and individual weapons.

The scientists state that the requirements of the cannons leave no doubt that the wreck is that of the San Jose.

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