Spanish Oddities
New United States treasure hunt for the cargo of a 17th century Spanish galleon
By m.p.
Mar 24, 2008 - 8:09 PM

Marine Explorations INC. a United States marine salvage company is reported to be starting a new operation to find the treasure from a Spanish galleon which went down off the northern coast of the Dominican Republic in the 17th century.

The wreck is the Nuestra Señora de la Concepción, which was wrecked in a hurricane while sailing back to Spain in 1641. The remains of the ship are believed to hold treasure valued at 150 million dollars (the equivalent of more than 97 million €), including porcelain from the Ming Dynasty, together with hundreds of gold and silver coins. EFE reports that the company has exclusive permission from the government of the Dominican Republic, on the agreement that half the find will be handed over to the Dominican state.

The man responsible for the mission has, Burt Webber Jr. already, criticised the ‘policy of intimidation’ which he claims comes from the Spanish Government ‘when any Spanish archaeological remains are found’.

The expedition is reported to be setting sail from Miami this week, to remain at the site for five months.