Modern Mysteries

Long lost San Jose galleon found off Colombia

By T.K. Randall
December 5, 2015 ·  9 comments

The San Jose was sunk by the British. Image Credit: Samuel Scot / National Maritime Museum Described as the holy grail of shipwrecks, the San Jose galleon was carrying a cargo overflowing with gold, silver and gems when it was sunk by a British warship in 1708.

Now after years of searching for the wreck, President Juan Manuel Santos of Colombia has announced that its precise whereabouts on the sea floor have finally been discovered.

It is thought that the ship's contents could be worth between $4 and $17 billion.

The vessel was part of the fleet of King Philip V who had been fighting the British during the War of the Spanish Succession. It went down along with all of its treasures in the Caribbean Sea near to the port city of Cartagena following an intense naval battle.

Source: Sydney Morning Herald | Comments (9)

Tags: San Jose, Treasure, Shipwreck