What in the World Could this be the most valuable shipwreck in the world?
Nov 28, 2025
Marine archaeologist Helen Farr and conservationist Mariana Carulla dive deep into the tangled history of the San José shipwreck. Helen shares thrilling details of its 1708 sinking, invoking the suspense of the explosion that sent the galleon to the ocean floor. The two discuss ongoing legal battles over the treasure, estimated to be worth billions. Mariana reveals fascinating artifacts unearthed, including coins and a cannon, shedding light on the daily lives of sailors back in the day. Each discovery brings them closer to confirming the ship's identity.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Catastrophic 1708 Explosion And Human Cost
- The San José sank in 1708 after a British shot hit its gunpowder store and caused a catastrophic explosion.
- The wreck carried vast colonial wealth and the human cost included about 600 deaths with only 11 survivors.
Ownership Hinges On Location And Claim
- Multiple parties dispute ownership: treasure hunters, Colombia and Spain, each argue legal or historical claims.
- Location matters legally because territorial sea and exclusive economic zone carry different rights.
1980s Treasure Claim Versus 2015 Discovery
- A treasure-hunting company claimed to find a wreck in the 1980s but gave a different position than Colombia's later find.
- Helen Farr suggests they may have been looking at a different ship among millions of wrecks worldwide.