In a significant announcement on Friday, the Colombian government revealed plans to initiate an exploration expedition to recover the treasure of a Spanish galleon, the San Jose, which sank in the Colombian Caribbean (Atlantic Ocean) waters 316 years ago. To achieve this, the government has decided to deploy a naval robot to scour the depths of the sea.
Robotic Mission to Recover Sunken Spanish Galleon Treasure
The robotic exploration aims to gather information about the sunken Spanish galleon, which carried a substantial treasure. During the mission, the robot will retrieve portions of the ship from the seabed, examining how the underwater environment has changed over the centuries since the vessel’s submersion. Additionally, there will be an investigation during the expedition to explore ways to salvage the remaining parts of the ship.
Equipped with cameras, the robot will document the exploration and gather records related to the San Jose, linking up with satellites for additional data. The Colombian government is contemplating an expenditure of approximately 37 million dollars for this campaign, slated to commence in the second half of 2024.
Colombia’s Secretive Expedition
The exact location of the exploration site will be kept confidential by the government. It is worth noting that before its sinking, the San Jose carried a treasure of around 200 tons, including gold and silver, valued at approximately $1.66 trillion. This wealth was part of King Philip V’s assets in 1708.
The decision to undertake this ambitious mission underscores the historical and monetary significance of the San Jose’s treasure, providing an opportunity to uncover a valuable piece of the past. As the Colombian government gears up for this venture, the world awaits updates on what could be an extraordinary archaeological and maritime discovery.