Said to hold a cargo of gold, silver, and jewels worth up to $20 billion today, the San José shipwreck has sparked legends and controversy ever since the vessel sank in 1708.

Deep beneath the Caribbean waters off the Colombian coast lies the Spanish galleon San José , a once-floating fortress that met its demise after being attacked and sunk by the British in 1708. At the time, the ship was said to be carrying a massive cargo of gold, silver, jewels, and other goods to help the Spanish king pay for his war against the British.

The San José shipwreck and the fortune it was allegedly carrying have been estimated to be worth as much as $20 billion in today’s money. It isn’t hard to see why so many treasure hunters set their sights on exploring the San José , or why it earned its tit

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