Colombia declared the sunken Spanish battleship San Jose a protected archeological location on Wednesday, preserving its $17 billion worth of emeralds, gold, and silver.
In 2015, Colombians discovered the 60-gun galleon San Jose, which sank on Baru Island, Cartagena, during the Spanish Succession War. Colombia's cultural ministry declared the classification to safeguard heritage and encourage research, conservation, and appraisal, as reported by the New York Post.
Culture Minister Juan David Correa stressed that the Columbian government does not consider the shipwreck as a treasure. "We do not treat it as such," he said.
Nations Fight for the 'Holy Grail' of Shipwrecks
Colombia, Spain, Bolivia's indigenous population Qhara Quara, and Sea Search Armada have all disputed the "holy grail" shipwreck. In the 1980s, Sea Search Armada claimed to have located the ship and sued the Colombian government for a portion of the wealth in the Permanent Court of Arbitration.
The Colombian Institute of Anthropology and History (ICANH) is utilizing non-intrusive remote sensors to image the ship. This mission may lead to more San Jose archeological expeditions.
At a press event, Correa emphasized that the sinking of the San Jose could lead to "understanding history and culture" which prompted the government's "unprecedented" move.
The Colombian government revealed in December efforts to recover treasures from the 1708 San Jose galleon disaster, estimated to be worth billions, per CBS News. The 315-year-old wreck has sparked debate due to its archeological and commercial value.
Correa noted then that the time that preliminary wreck artifact retrieval would begin in April or May, depending on Caribbean water conditions. Correa stressed that this is a scientific mission.
Correa said a naval ship would inspect wreck debris using robotic or underwater devices. Based on the results, we may arrange a second attempt.
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UN Warns Over Commercialization Efforts
The UN cultural body, UNESCO, warned Colombia that commercializing the wreck would cause "irretrievable loss of significant heritage."
Colombia has not ratified the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which would enforce international norms and obligate it to notify UNESCO of any wreck intentions.
The Colombian government, a US salvage consortium, Spain, and Bolivia's indigenous Qhara Qhara people are rowing for the 1708 British Navy-sunk San Jose galleon.
Before 1981, when the U.S. salvage group Glocca Morra claimed to have discovered the "holy grail" of shipwrecks due to its valuable cargo, it had vanished from history. The Colombian government claims it discovered the galleon in 2015 with divers at an unknown location.
Glocca Morra wants $10 billion from Colombia for wreck coordinates. London is hearing the company's arbitration challenge for half the riches.
On June 8, 1708, during the War of the Spanish Succession, a British fleet sank the Spanish crown's San Jose galleon off Cartagena. The ship sank after an hour-long combat when its powder magazine exploded. Only 11 of the 600 sailors escaped, according to The Independent.
