The Colombian government has announced plans to salvage items from the 1708 San Jose galleon wreck, a site long believed to hold cargo valued in the billions. The wreck is often called the Holy Grail of shipwrecks, a three-century-old treasure that stirs debate as both an archaeological wonder and a potential economic prize.
Colombian Minister of Culture Juan David Correa stated that initial trials are expected to take place between April and May next year, contingent on ocean conditions in the Caribbean. He underscored that the work would prioritize scientific discovery and preservation over mere profit.
These are not mere treasures, according to Correa, but archaeological remains. He told the nation that the effort could position Colombia at the forefront of underwater archaeological research. The official frame emphasizes scholarly value alongside national heritage.
The galleon is believed to have carried an immense load, including 11 million gold and silver coins, emeralds and other precious cargo from the former Spanish colony, a stash that could be worth billions if recovered. Any material retrieved from the wreck, possibly via robotics or autonomous underwater vehicles, would be transported to the warship for analysis. Based on the outcomes, a second trial might be scheduled.
The San Jose sank during a battle with British ships more than 300 years ago. While it was located in 2015, the discovery sparked legal and diplomatic filings that continue to unfold.
In 2018, the Colombian government paused plans to remove the ship due to disputes with a private company claiming rights to the treasure.
UNESCO, the international body tasked with preserving underwater cultural heritage, expressed concern that offering the treasures for sale could erode their historical value and lead to irreparable losses to a key part of global heritage. UNESCO noted that commercial exploitation of Colombia’s cultural heritage would clash with best scientific standards and the ethical principles outlined in the UNESCO Convention on Underwater Cultural Heritage.
Colombia has not signed the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, a factor that would bind it to international standards and require reporting to UNESCO about wreck plans.
The precise location of the ship remains a state secret. The ship sank in the Caribbean Sea, south of Cartagena, near Colombia’s Baru Peninsula. The case has spanned courts in the United States, Colombia and Spain, centered on who owns the sunken treasure.
Accounts describe the three-story San Jose as approximately 45 meters long, 14 meters wide, armed with 64 cannons. Colombian authorities have said explorers found bronze cannons in good condition, along with ceramic vases, porcelain and personal weapons. Investigators believe the weapons’ characteristics strongly indicate that this is the USS San Jose wreck, aligning with historical records.
Earlier reports about sunken ships that posed as refuges for marine life have led to renewed attention on underwater habitats and their preservation, a reminder that some wrecks also serve as vital marine ecosystems. The exploration work will continue to balance heritage preservation, scientific inquiry, and legal considerations across multiple nations.