First Artifacts Recovered from 1708 San José Galleon as Treasure Dispute Continues

Colombian scientists have retrieved the first items from the wreck of the legendary Spanish galleon San José, which sank in 1708 after an encounter with an English fleet. Divers and remotely operated vehicles recovered a cannon, three gold coins and a porcelain cup from the site, part of a government-authorized scientific mission to study the wreck and determine the cause of its loss.

Key finds and conservation

The recovered cannon, coins and porcelain cup have been transported to a laboratory dedicated to the expedition, where specialists will begin careful conservation and analysis. Earlier surveys using remotely operated vehicles documented other artifacts at the site, including an anchor, jugs and glass bottles.

Historical significance

Often called the "holy grail of shipwrecks," the San José is believed to have been carrying a vast cargo of wealth from Spain's American colonies — reportedly some 11 million gold and silver coins, emeralds and an estimated 200 tons of gold. If fully recovered, that cargo would be worth billions of dollars, though most of the value remains speculative until more of the wreck is examined.

"This historic event demonstrates the strengthening of the Colombian State's technical, professional, and technological capabilities to protect and promote Underwater Cultural Heritage, as part of Colombian identity and history," said Yannai Kadamani Fonrodona, Minister of Cultures, Arts and Knowledge.

Location, depth and protection

The wreck lies at nearly 2,000 feet (about 600 meters) below the surface, a depth that requires specialized equipment for safe exploration and recovery. To protect the site from unauthorized salvage, the exact coordinates have been kept secret and, in May 2024, Colombia declared the site a protected archaeological area.

Legal and diplomatic disputes

Since its rediscovery in 2015, the San José has been the subject of competing claims. Colombia is in arbitration with Sea Search Armada, a U.S. salvage company that says it first located the wreck in 1982 and seeks economic rights it values at roughly $10 billion for a claimed 50% share. Spain has also asserted claims, and Indigenous Qhara Qhara Bolivians have argued that some cargo originated in territories from which their ancestors were taken. These overlapping claims have generated litigation and diplomatic negotiations.

Cause of sinking

The precise cause of the San José's sinking remains debated. Contemporary Spanish accounts describe a catastrophic explosion during battle, while some British documents and modern Colombian investigators suggest severe hull damage or other factors could have led to the loss. The vessel, a 62-gun, three-masted galleon, went down on June 7, 1708, with most of its crew while en route from the Americas to Spain.

Colombian authorities emphasize that the current deep-water expedition is focused on research, conservation and the protection of underwater cultural heritage rather than the commercial exploitation of treasure. Conservation work and scientific study are expected to continue as specialists analyze recovered items and plan any future controlled recoveries.