A. historic expedition Explorers and historians alike have focused their attention on San Joséa 300 year old shipwreck Off the coast of Cartagena, Colombia. ship, one spanish galleonSunk during conflict with British forces during the War of the Spanish Succession on 8 June 1708. It is believed to be rich with gold, silver and emeralds from Peru’s Potosi mines, estimated to be worth $32 billion today.
Colombian governmentAfter years of legal battles over rights to the wreck, he launched a detailed investigation of the site.Often referred to as the ‘sacred bowl of shipwrecks’, San José lies more than half a kilometer below the Caribbean Sea, making it inaccessible to all but the most advanced deep-sea technology.

Will be employed in the first phase of the mission underwater robots and remote sensors to create a comprehensive view of what remains on the seafloor. This ‘characterization phase’ is crucial to planning any potential rescue operation. The Colombian Institute of Anthropology and History (ICANH) is managing the project, with keen interest in the academic and historical significance of the find.
San José’s cargo was intended to finance the King of Spain’s ongoing war efforts against the British. But its sinking cost the lives of nearly 600 crew members and sent its precious cargo to the ocean floor. The ship’s discovery in 2015 was kept a state secret due to the sensitive nature of the find and subsequent legal disputes over property rights.
The value of the treasure is not only monetary but also historical; because it provides information about the economic, social and political conditions of Europe in the early 18th century. The Colombian government invested about $4.5 million in archaeological research of the shipwreck this year.
The legal wrangling over San José involves claims by Spain, which claims ownership on the basis of historical sovereignty, and by US-based marine salvage company Sea Search Armada (SSA), which claims to have discovered the wreck in the early 1980s. SSA filed a claim for damages with the Permanent Court of Arbitration, claiming that it was entitled to half the estimated value of the treasury.
Researchers plan to use an underwater ship equipped with acoustic positioning technologies and a remote-controlled vehicle with various sensors and tools that can go deep into space. Findings from this expedition could potentially transform our understanding of colonial maritime history and provide a wealth of information about the shipping and warfare of the period. The world watches with bated breath as the secrets of San José prepare to resurface after three centuries beneath the waves.