An extended-awaited expedition into an 18th-century shipwreck within the Caribbean Sea has reportedly begun.
The federal government of Colombia launched the deep-water expedition of the San José shipwreck, which is rumored to include cargo value billions of {dollars}, final week.
The galleon sank in 1708 en path to Cartagena, Colombia, after it was ambushed by an English squadron. Historians imagine that roughly 600 individuals on the ship died, with only a few survivors.
The shipwreck is believed to include 11 million gold and silver cash, together with emeralds and different priceless cargo. The San José was carrying chests stuffed with jewels and gold cash when it sank on its method to King Philip V of Spain.
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The shipwreck had a legendary fame earlier than it was found in 2015, at round 600 meters deep. It has been known as the “Holy Grail of Shipwrecks” because of the huge quantity of valuables it held.
Oceanographers have been capable of map the shipwreck with robotic gear hooked up to a naval ship. The robotic gear has taken photographs of the wreck, exhibiting a number of cash laying on the backside of the shipwreck. A few of the cash have been photographed scattered throughout the ocean ground with seashells.
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In February, the Colombian authorities introduced that it was pouring $45 million into the exploration. The treasure is reportedly believed to be value as a lot as $20 billion.
Colombia’s minister of tradition beforehand mentioned that the expedition’s mission is to “declare the heritage parts for which the stays of the galleon needs to be valued.”
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“Historical past is the treasure,” minister Juan David Correa added.
The rights to the ship’s sunken treasure have been claimed by Colombia, Spain and america. Its actual location within the Carribean is a state secret.
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The Related Press contributed to this report.
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