Researchers documenting underwater conditions around the Spanish galleon San Jose—the vessel that British forces sank in 1708 while carrying a vast treasure load—have released an impressive new video from expeditions off the Caribbean coast. Colombian experts, working with advanced ROV (remotely operated vehicle) technology, also identified two additional sunken vessels in close proximity. This discovery expands what is known about the battlefield era near Cartagena de Indias, marking a significant milestone for maritime archaeology and divers’ missions conducted in deep water. The team’s footage confirms the San Jose site remains a focal point for scholars, treasure hunters, and national heritage programs, inviting careful, responsible exploration through ongoing observation and documentation.
The San Jose wreck lies off Cartagena in the Caribbean Sea at an estimated depth near 950 meters, with the precise coordinates kept confidential to protect the site. The newly located ship and the surrounding wreck field appear to date from roughly the same historical period when movements for independence from colonial powers heightened regional tensions. Historians recount that the San Jose galleon carried a fortune comparable to a nation’s reserve—often described as the “Holy Grail of treasure hunting”—and it was lost during the War of the Spanish Succession after a protracted clash with the English fleet off the Baru region. The surviving records suggest the cargo included a vast treasury of coins, precious metals, and luxury goods, underscoring why this wreck has captured the imagination of collectors and researchers alike. Estimates of cargo value rely on assumptions about the number of coins and the contents recovered by contemporaries who escaped the naval battle, with rough calculations placing the haul among the era’s most valuable maritime treasures. The conflict’s events unfolded on June 8, 1708, when two fleets clashed in a fierce confrontation that yielded a catastrophic explosion after gunpowder storage in the galleon’s hold detonated, sending the ship to the depths and leaving only a handful of survivors among hundreds aboard. The sea claimed not only life but a spectacular array of recovered artifacts aimed at revealing the material culture of the period, from coinage to porcelain.
Following more than a decade of complex, multi-national discussions involving indigenous communities, regional authorities, and descendant groups representing those who once extracted the cargo, the governing body decided that the discovered treasure would be allocated between the state and the treasure-hunting teams. In December 2015, a political statement by Colombia’s president asserted national ownership of the site as a government asset discovered by the navy, reinforcing Colombia’s commitment to safeguarding underwater cultural heritage while enabling scientific study. The imagery and video released from the expedition clearly show coins scattered within the galleon’s hull, gold ingots, and cannons manufactured in Seville in 1655. The seabed reveals blue-white ceramic pieces—plates and bowls—partially buried in sediment, hinting at the daily life of sailors and passengers aboard the expedition. Earlier this year, officials announced plans to house the recovered artifacts in a museum to serve as a source of regional and global pride, emphasizing that salvage work is a careful blend of technology, science, and stewardship that respects the deep sea environment. The depth and environmental sensitivity of the site demand rigorous methods, but the public display of the findings, as noted by national leaders, signals a significant milestone for the nation and its partners in the Caribbean region. This moment is celebrated not only as a technological achievement by the Colombian maritime fleet but also as a meaningful contribution to the broader story of colonial-era trade and its enduring imprint on modern heritage policy. At a recent briefing, officials highlighted the collective effort involved in documenting, preserving, and interpreting the wreckage for future generations, underscoring the value of transparent, science-led exploration that inspires confidence in audiences across Canada and the United States as they learn about the region’s naval history. The work continues to unfold with plans to expand study, dating, and conservation efforts that will deepen understanding of the San Jose wreck and its nearby discoveries.