Mike Purcell

Now, the law of finds mostly applies to ships found in international waters. This ship was in Colombia's territorial waters. And according to the UN's Convention on the Law of the Sea, countries have some jurisdiction over a certain area off their shores and over the removal of archaeological and historical objects found in there.

Now, the law of finds mostly applies to ships found in international waters. This ship was in Colombia's territorial waters. And according to the UN's Convention on the Law of the Sea, countries have some jurisdiction over a certain area off their shores and over the removal of archaeological and historical objects found in there.

President Juan is no longer the president, but he says the nation wants to salvage the San Jose and to build a museum. That's the plan.

President Juan is no longer the president, but he says the nation wants to salvage the San Jose and to build a museum. That's the plan.

President Juan is no longer the president, but he says the nation wants to salvage the San Jose and to build a museum. That's the plan.

It weighed more than a thousand tons. It was built of wood that could withstand the salty seas and was reinforced with iron. It had three masts and 64 brass cannons, which were etched with dolphins. Ricardo says the San Jose was a state-of-the-art ship.

It weighed more than a thousand tons. It was built of wood that could withstand the salty seas and was reinforced with iron. It had three masts and 64 brass cannons, which were etched with dolphins. Ricardo says the San Jose was a state-of-the-art ship.

It weighed more than a thousand tons. It was built of wood that could withstand the salty seas and was reinforced with iron. It had three masts and 64 brass cannons, which were etched with dolphins. Ricardo says the San Jose was a state-of-the-art ship.

including the English. England and Spain were at war over trade and colonies. And in June of 1708, the San Jose was going from what is now Panama to the coast of Cartagena before starting its journey to Spain. An English ship showed up to seize what was on board. They shot a cannonball into the San Jose, but that ball hit the ship's powder reserves.

including the English. England and Spain were at war over trade and colonies. And in June of 1708, the San Jose was going from what is now Panama to the coast of Cartagena before starting its journey to Spain. An English ship showed up to seize what was on board. They shot a cannonball into the San Jose, but that ball hit the ship's powder reserves.

including the English. England and Spain were at war over trade and colonies. And in June of 1708, the San Jose was going from what is now Panama to the coast of Cartagena before starting its journey to Spain. An English ship showed up to seize what was on board. They shot a cannonball into the San Jose, but that ball hit the ship's powder reserves.

So, boom, the ship sank, along with nearly 600 men. Which makes this shipwreck site a Spanish war grave. This ship was never abandoned, Spain says. It's theirs. And that is why they also have a claim to the San Jose.

So, boom, the ship sank, along with nearly 600 men. Which makes this shipwreck site a Spanish war grave. This ship was never abandoned, Spain says. It's theirs. And that is why they also have a claim to the San Jose.

So, boom, the ship sank, along with nearly 600 men. Which makes this shipwreck site a Spanish war grave. This ship was never abandoned, Spain says. It's theirs. And that is why they also have a claim to the San Jose.

So our expert Ricardo, who does not work for the Spanish government, says the San Jose does not belong to Colombia. It belongs to Spain.

So our expert Ricardo, who does not work for the Spanish government, says the San Jose does not belong to Colombia. It belongs to Spain.

So our expert Ricardo, who does not work for the Spanish government, says the San Jose does not belong to Colombia. It belongs to Spain.

And Spain has successfully made this argument before. Ricardo says about 20 years ago, different Americans found a different Spanish boat sunk by the English. Apparently that happened a lot. They recovered more than 500,000 silver and gold coins. And a U.S. court said... The Spanish boat had sovereign immunity, so Spain ended up getting the coins.

And Spain has successfully made this argument before. Ricardo says about 20 years ago, different Americans found a different Spanish boat sunk by the English. Apparently that happened a lot. They recovered more than 500,000 silver and gold coins. And a U.S. court said... The Spanish boat had sovereign immunity, so Spain ended up getting the coins.

And Spain has successfully made this argument before. Ricardo says about 20 years ago, different Americans found a different Spanish boat sunk by the English. Apparently that happened a lot. They recovered more than 500,000 silver and gold coins. And a U.S. court said... The Spanish boat had sovereign immunity, so Spain ended up getting the coins.