Treasure found in 350-year-old Spanish shipwreck off Bahamas

Robert Besser
07 Aug 2022, 06:54 GMT+10

A team of explorers have announced that they uncovered a treasure, including coins, gemstones and priceless jewels, from a 350-year-old sunken Spanish galleon off the Bahamas
The Nuestra Seora de las Maravillas, or Our Lady of Wonders, sank in 1656 after it collided with another ship from its own fleet
It was carrying a treasure, some of which was reserved as a royal tax for King Philip IV, from Cuba to Seville, Spain

NASSAU, Bahamas: A team of explorers have announced that they have uncovered a treasure, including coins, gemstones and priceless jewels, from a 350-year-old sunken Spanish galleon off the Bahamas.

The Nuestra Seora de las Maravillas, or Our Lady of Wonders, sank in 1656 after it collided with another ship from its own fleet.

It was carrying a treasure, some of which was reserved as a royal tax for King Philip IV, from Cuba to Seville, Spain. Also, the 891-ton ship contained more cargo than usual, as it was transporting treasure retrieved from another ship that had previously sunk.

Shipwreck specialist Allen Exploration, which carried out a two-year expedition beginning in 2020, said several attempts have been made to retrieve the ship's cargo, with almost 3.5 million items being recovered in the past.

The latest discoveries will be displayed this month at the new Bahamas Maritime Museum in the nation's second largest city, Freeport, beginning 8th August.

In a statement, project marine archaeologist James Sinclair said the researchers, in coordination with local divers, archaeologists and other experts, are also "reconstructing the mystery of how the ship was wrecked and fell apart."

Allen Exploration founder Carl Allen said by using remote-sensing technology, such as sonar and magnetometers, the researchers tracked "a long and winding debris trail of finds" scattered over a 13-kilometer stretch of ocean floor.

More discoveries are yet to be made, Sinclair added, stating, "The ship may have been obliterated by past salvage and hurricanes. But we're convinced there are more stories out there."

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Albuquerque Express.

More Information

71 ℉

Partly Cloudy in Albuquerque

International

Section

Delta flight hit by possible lightning, lands safely in Boston

BOSTON, Massachusetts: Officials said that a Delta flight from Chicago to Boston that was possibly struck by lightning landed safely ...

Indonesian woman jailed for violating country's blasphemy law

JAKARTA, Indonesia: An Indonesian court sentenced Lina Lutfiawati, also known as Lina Mukherjee, to two years in prison this week ...

China wants Hong Kong consulates to give personal data of local staff

HONG KONG: The Chinese Foreign Ministry has issued a request to all foreign consulates in Hong Kong, seeking the personal ...

Rattlesnake bites Amazon driver in Florida during delivery

MARTIN COUNTY, Florida: An Amazon driver making a delivery to a Florida home this week was bitten by a rattlesnake ...

Canada's TMX expansion may triple oil flow to country's Pacific Coast

CALGARY, Canada: From early 2024, the long-delayed and controversial Canadian government-owned Trans Mountain oil pipeline expansion (TMX) is expected to ...

Pakistan's Supreme Court proceedings go live on state TV

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Pakistan's Supreme Court proceedings were broadcast live on state television on Monday, providing an unprecedented glimpse into the ...

Business

Section