(Dan Tri) – Colombia announced a plan to search for the billion-dollar treasure sunk with the San Jose shipwreck from the 18th century.
Images provided by Colombia show items resembling piles of gold coins under the San Jose shipwreck that sank in the 18th century (Photo: Colombian Government).
On February 23, the Colombian government announced the opening of an expedition to search for treasure on the wreck of the legendary ship San Jose.
The ship sank in 1708 while laden with gold, silver and emeralds estimated to be worth billions of dollars.
Colombian Culture Minister Juan David Correa said that seven years after the country discovered the wreck offshore, an underwater robot will be dispatched to salvage items from the ship.
According to Mr. Correa, between April and May, the robot will take objects on the ship to research plans to salvage the treasure.
Alexandra Chadid, a naval researcher, said that after three centuries submerged, most of the items on the ship had undergone `physical and chemical` changes and could decompose when pulled from the ship.
The location where the ship sank is being kept secret to protect archaeological treasure.
The Spanish royal ship San Jose was sunk by the British Navy near Cartagena in 1708. Only a few of the 600 crew on board survived.
At the time the ship sank, it was filled with treasures such as emerald chests and about 200 tons of gold coins.
The discovery of the ship caused a dispute over which side should enjoy the treasure.
Spain insisted that the money was theirs because it was on a Spanish ship, while Bolivia’s Qhara Qhara tribe said they were the ones who deserved the treasure because the Spaniards had forced
Colombian authorities want to use the country’s own resources to salvage the treasure and ensure it remains in Colombia.
Spanish Ambassador to Colombia Joaquin de Aristegui said he had asked Colombia for a `bilateral agreement` to protect the wreck.
The Qhara Qhara tribe has expressed its willingness to cooperate with the Colombian government and is currently only asking for the return of some items of spiritual significance from the ship.
Meanwhile, Colombia is still in litigation with US-based salvage company Sea Search Armada, which claims it first found the wreck more than 40 years ago.
The case is being conducted at the United Nations Permanent Court of Arbitration.
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