Robert Besser
07 Aug 2022, 06:54 GMT+10
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."
Get a daily dose of Milwaukee Sun news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Milwaukee Sun.
More InformationBEIJING, China: Local authorities said a fire at the Shanjiaoshu coal mine in Guizhou province, southern China, killed 16 people ...
MADISON, Wisconsin: Last week, five flamingos were seen along a Lake Michigan beach in Wisconsin, attracting a large crowd of ...
LONDON, UK: The UK government said over the weekend that it could downscale the scope of the High Speed 2 ...
LAHAINA, Hawaii: This week, officials are expected to begin lifting restrictions on entry to the burn zone in Lahaina, Hawaii, ...
LONG ISLAND, New York: On Thursday, a bus carrying members of a high school marching band traveling to a music ...
GAINESVILLE, Florida: Local police report stopping children, ages 10 and 11, who had driven their family car 200 miles, in ...
MADISON, Wisconsin: Last week, five flamingos were seen along a Lake Michigan beach in Wisconsin, attracting a large crowd of ...
BOSTON, Massachusetts: Officials said that a Delta flight from Chicago to Boston that was possibly struck by lightning landed safely ...
(Photo credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports) The Zach Wilson-led New York Jets have drawn plenty of criticism over the past ...
(Photo credit: Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports) Fighting for first place in the NFC North, the Packers and Lions renew acquaintances ...
(Photo credit: Mike De Sisti / The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK) The much-anticipated return of the Milwaukee ...
(Photo credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports) The idea of winning on unfamiliar turf isn't new to Xander Schauffele. He ...