Colombia explores sunken 18th-century Spanish galleon in search of 'treasure'

Chinese cups were among the treasures found after the San Jose shipwreck. Photo: COLOMBIA NAVY/REUTERS

The Colombian government has launched a study of the 18th-century Spanish galleon known as the «Holy Grail of shipwrecks.»

Remote sensors are being sent to the seabed to create an inventory of what is on the galleon San -Jose», which sank in 1708.

The cargo of gold, silver and jewelry delivered to the Spanish king to finance the war against Great Britain is estimated to be worth £16 billion.

The 64-gun, three-masted ship sank in battle with Britain off the island of Baru, south of Cartagena, killing nearly 600 crew.

Underwater robots were sent to the seabed to collect more information. Radiocarbon dating of objects already found indicates that the ship is about 300 years old.

Because the galleon lies several hundred meters below the surface of the sea, it is too deep for human exploration.

During the research, cannons were found that could have been used during the 1708 battle. Photo: REUTERS/COLOMBIAN NAVY

Juan David Correa, Colombia's Minister of Culture, called the expedition «unprecedented.»

He added: “We need to stop thinking of it as a treasure.” It is not a treasure in the 19th century sense.

“It is a sunken archaeological heritage of cultural and critical importance to Colombia.”

However, the fate of the treasure is mired in litigation.

p>Claims were filed by Colombia, Spain, Peru, indigenous communities in the region, descendants of the miners who unearthed the treasure, and Glocca Morra, treasure hunters who claim to have found the wreck back in 1981.

< p>Colombia Claim based on the discovery of a sunken ship by its navy — at a different site — in 2015.

«Simon Bolivar», marine research vessel anchored in Cartagena during the first phase of the project. Photo: RAFAEL BOSSIO/REUTERS

Glocka Morra's new owners, Sea Search Armada, insist the galleon was found within a mile or two of coordinates for a discovery made in 1981.

The company also disputes a 2020 law that made everything on the ship the property of the Colombian government.

Rahim Moloo, a lawyer for Sea Search Armada, said: “If Colombia wants to keep everything on the San Jose, it can do so, but first and foremost it must compensate our clients for finding it.”

The group is seeking £7.9 billion.

The final decision will be made by an international arbitrator in London .