15 MOST Mysterious Shipwrecks
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00:00With thousands of years of maritime history, it is believed that there could be as many
00:05as 3 million undiscovered shipwrecks scattered across the ocean floor, each with their unique
00:10story.
00:11Join me for today's video, where we're exploring 15 of the most mysterious shipwrecks
00:15in the world.
00:16Starting with number 15, the SS Central America.
00:20The SS Central America, often called the Ship of Gold, was a 280-foot or 85-meter side-wheeled
00:27steamer that played a significant role in the maritime history of the U.S. during the
00:31mid-19th century.
00:33Built in 1852 and originally named the SS George Law, the vessel was designed to transport
00:38passengers and cargo between the East Coast and Central America, particularly during the
00:43California Gold Rush.
00:46Its main route ran between New York City and the Panama Isthmus, where passengers would
00:50then travel overland to the Pacific Coast and continue on to California.
00:55The SS Central America, though, would go on to become famous due to its sinking in
00:59September 1857, a disaster that resulted in the loss of a huge quantity of gold.
01:06The ship set sail from Aspinwall, which is now in Cologne in Panama, on September 3rd,
01:111857, carrying a cargo of about three tons of gold from the California mines.
01:16On September 9th, the vessel encountered a hurricane off the coast of the Carolinas,
01:21but despite the crew's best efforts, the ship's engines failed, and the SS Central
01:26America began taking on water.
01:28Over the next two days, the situation worsened, and the ship ultimately sank on September
01:3312th.
01:34The sinking had significant economic repercussions, contributing to the Panic of 1857, a financial
01:40crisis that saw the collapse of several banks and businesses in the United States.
01:45The loss of the gold shipment, valued at approximately $2 million at the time, or about $300 million
01:51today, severely impacted the financial stability of the nation.
01:55For over a century, the location of the wreck of the SS Central America was a mystery, with
02:00it lying more than 7,000 feet, or 2,100 meters, below the surface.
02:05In 1988, however, the shipwreck was located by a team led by Tommy Thompson, using advanced
02:11technology and deep-sea submersibles, and they managed to recover a huge trove of treasure,
02:16including gold coins, bars, and dust.
02:2014.
02:21The Endurance The Endurance was a polar exploration vessel
02:25famously used for Sir Ernest Shackleton's Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition.
02:31Originally launched in 1912 in Norway and named Polaris, the three-masted barquentine
02:35was constructed by the renowned shipbuilder Christian Jacobsen in Sandefjord.
02:41Designed specifically for arctic hunting, Polaris was strong and durable, featuring
02:45a reinforced hull capable of withstanding the harsh ice conditions.
02:49In 1914, Shackleton acquired the ship, renamed her Endurance, and prepared for his ambitious
02:54expedition aimed at making the first land crossing of Antarctica from the Weddell Sea
02:59to the Ross Sea.
03:01The Endurance set sail from Plymouth, England on August 8th, 1914, and reached the Weddell
03:06Sea by January of the following year.
03:08The expedition soon encountered severe ice conditions, though, and by January 18th, Endurance
03:14became trapped in the pack ice.
03:16Despite Shackleton and his crew's efforts to free the ship, the ice held it fast, effectively
03:21turning it into a winter camp for the 28 men on board.
03:25For ten months, the Endurance drifted with the ice, moving slowly northward.
03:30Shackleton and his men adapted to their predicament, maintaining morale and preparing for the possibility
03:35of abandoning the ship.
03:37By October 27th, the pressure of the ice began to crush the ship's hull, and Shackleton
03:42ordered the crew to abandon the Endurance.
03:45The men salvaged supplies and lifeboats before the ship finally sank on November 21st.
03:50Amazingly, the entire crew of the Endurance was eventually rescued, but the whereabouts
03:55of the ship became a mystery.
03:57That was until early 2022, when an expedition finally found it at a depth of almost 10,000
04:03feet, or 3,000 meters.
04:06Because of its location, it will probably never be removed, so what remains on the vessel
04:10will likely remain a mystery forever.
04:1413.
04:15The Hunley The Hunley was a submarine that was developed
04:19during the American Civil War, and became the first known to have sunk an enemy vessel.
04:24Constructed in 1863, it was the product of a Confederate plan to break the Union blockade.
04:30Designed by Horace Lawson Hunley, James McClintock, and Baxter Watson, it was hand-powered, with
04:36a crew of eight operating a crankshaft that turned the vessel's propeller.
04:40The Hunley was 40 feet or 12 meters long, shaped like a cylinder with tapered ends,
04:45and had a diameter of about 4 feet or 1.2 meters, making it cramped and challenging
04:50to maneuver.
04:52The submarine's design featured ballast tanks that could be flooded or pumped out to control
04:56buoyancy, and it was equipped with diving planes for submerging and surfacing.
05:01Its primary weapon was a spar torpedo, an explosive device mounted on a long pole extending
05:07from the bow.
05:08This torpedo was intended to be rammed into the hull of an enemy ship and then detonated.
05:13The Hunley's operational history was, though, fraught with difficulties.
05:18During testing and training exercises, the submarine sank twice, but they continued to
05:22recover it, fix it, and send it back out into service.
05:26It was on the night of February 17th, 1864, that the Hunley went out on its most famous
05:31mission, and managed to ram its spar torpedo into the hull of the Housatonic, causing a
05:36massive explosion that sank the warship.
05:39The Hunley didn't survive the mission, though, as shortly after signaling its success, it
05:43disappeared.
05:45The exact cause of its sinking remains a subject of debate among historians and researchers,
05:50with theories ranging from damage caused by the torpedo explosion to accidental flooding
05:55or mechanical failure.
05:57The Hunley lay undiscovered on the ocean floor for over a century, until it was found in
06:021995 and raised in 2000.
06:05Its recovery provided valuable insights into Civil War-era technology and submarine design,
06:11but even with the wreckage, it remains a mystery why it actually sank.
06:1612.
06:17THE ANDREA DORIA The Andrea Doria was an Italian luxury ocean
06:22liner that was built by Ansaldo Shipyards in Genoa and launched on June 16th, 1951.
06:29As one of the most advanced and luxurious liners of her time, she measured 700 feet
06:33or 213 meters in length, with a beam of 90 feet or 27 meters and a gross tonnage of just
06:40over 29,000 tons.
06:42The ship featured five lavish dining rooms, three swimming pools, and various other features
06:47that made it the height of opulence and comfort, with interiors that were decorated with Italian
06:52art, making the Andrea Doria a floating showcase of Italian culture and design.
06:58On July 25th, 1956, the Andrea Doria was on the final leg of a journey from Genoa to
07:03New York City when tragedy struck.
07:06Late in the evening, in a dense fog off the coast of Nantucket, Massachusetts, the vessel
07:11collided with the MS Stockholm, a Swedish passenger liner.
07:15The Stockholm's reinforced ice-breaking bow sliced into the starboard side of the Andrea
07:20Doria, creating a massive gash and compromising several watertight compartments.
07:25This breach caused the ship to list severely to starboard.
07:29Despite the severity of the collision, the evacuation of the Andrea Doria was relatively
07:34orderly.
07:35The crew and passengers faced significant challenges due to the ship's heavy list, which
07:39made many lifeboats unusable, but the response from nearby ships, including the Ile de France
07:44and the Stockholm itself, was quick, and the passengers and crew were soon evacuated to
07:49safety.
07:50The Andrea Doria eventually sank the following morning, and it became a mystery how such
07:55an advanced ship managed to get itself into this situation.
07:59The subsequent inquiries highlighted issues such as radar use, ship speed in fog, and
08:04the design of watertight compartments, but no single factor was blamed for the incident.
08:10Today, the wreck lies at around 240 feet or 73 meters of water and has become a popular,
08:16albeit dangerous, site for divers.
08:18The ship's deteriorating structure and strong currents have made it one of the most challenging
08:22and hazardous wreck dives in the world, often referred to as the Mount Everest of diving.
08:2911.
08:30The RMS Carpathia The RMS Carpathia, which was a transatlantic
08:35passenger steamship, became famous for being one of the first to respond to the sinking
08:39of the RMS Titanic in 1912, but would later go on to meet a watery end itself.
08:46Built in Newcastle-upon-Tyne in England, the Carpathia was launched on August 6, 1902,
08:52and was initially designed for immigrant traffic from Eastern Europe to the United States,
08:56offering cost-effective accommodations compared to Cunard's more luxurious liners.
09:01Measuring 558 feet or 170 meters in length, with a beam of 64 feet or almost 20 meters
09:07and a gross tonnage of over 13,000 tons, it was powered by twin quadruple-expansion steam
09:13engines, which drove twin screws, enabling a maximum speed of around 14 knots.
09:19Amazingly, the ship and crew were able to navigate the ice fields of the North Atlantic
09:23to respond to Titanic's distress call, and were on the scene of the disaster within just
09:28two hours, helping to save hundreds of people.
09:31After the rescue, the Carpathia was continuing its commercial service until the outbreak
09:35of World War I, and during the war, was requisitioned by the British government for use as a troop
09:40ship.
09:41On July 17, 1918, while sailing in a convoy from Liverpool to Boston, the Carpathia was
09:47struck by three torpedoes fired from the German submarine U-55.
09:52The attacks caused the ship to sink off the coast of Ireland, and was for a long time
09:56completely lost.
09:58It was, for decades, a mystery as to how the ship had been lost, but some of the questions
10:03were answered by its rediscovery in 1999.
10:07Experts that were found on board helped to understand what had happened to the Carpathia,
10:12but also shed further light on the events that night the Titanic sank, establishing
10:16the vessel's place in maritime history.
10:2010.
10:21The USS Monitor The USS Monitor was an ironclad warship of
10:26the American Civil War that revolutionized naval warfare with its innovative design.
10:32Designed in 1861 and launched on January 30, 1862, the Monitor was the brainchild of
10:38Swedish-American engineer John Ericsson.
10:41Its construction marked a significant departure from traditional wooden warships, focusing
10:46more on iron armor and advanced engineering.
10:49The Monitor's most distinctive feature was its revolving turret, which housed two powerful
10:5411-inch Dahlgren guns.
10:57This turret could rotate 360 degrees, allowing the Monitor to fire in any direction without
11:02repositioning the entire ship, an innovation that drastically improved the vessel's combat
11:07effectiveness and set a new standard for naval artillery.
11:11The vessel's overall design was also groundbreaking.
11:14It had a low freeboard, meaning its deck was just above the waterline, which minimized
11:19its target profile, and the hull was made almost entirely of iron, providing significant
11:24protection against enemy fire.
11:26The Monitor measured 179 feet or just under 55 meters in length and crucially had a draft
11:32of only 10.5 feet or just over 3 meters, making it suitable for operations in shallow waters.
11:39The Monitor's first and most famous engagement was the Battle of Hampton Roads on March 9,
11:451862.
11:46This clash saw the Monitor face off against the CSS Virginia, another ironclad warship,
11:53Battle, because it was the first meeting in combat of ironclad warships, signaling the
11:57end of the era of wooden warships.
12:00The Monitor and the Virginia fought to a draw, but the Monitor's performance demonstrated
12:05the superiority of ironclad technology and secured its place in naval history.
12:11Despite the innovative design, the Monitor had limitations.
12:14Its low freeboard made it susceptible to rough seas, and it struggled with ventilation and
12:19crew comfort.
12:20These issues became evident on December 31, 1862, when the Monitor sank during a storm
12:26off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, and it was lost for more than 100 years.
12:31The wreck of the USS Monitor was then rediscovered in 1973, and in 1975, it was designated as
12:37the first U.S. Marine Sanctuary.
12:40Over the years, various artifacts have been recovered from the wreck, including the turret,
12:45which now resides at the Mariner's Museum in Newport News, Virginia.
12:49These artifacts provided valuable insights into the construction and operation of this
12:53pioneering warship.
12:569.
12:57The HMS Terror The HMS Terror was a bomb vessel of the Royal
13:02Navy, and it was first launched in June of 1813, before going on to play a significant
13:07role in naval operations during the 19th century.
13:11Initially designed for bombarding coastal fortifications, it was equipped with mortars,
13:15and it was reinforced to withstand the recoil of their fire.
13:19Its tough construction also made it particularly suitable for later adaptations and the expeditions
13:24in icy waters.
13:26In 1836, under the command of Captain George Back, the HMS Terror was dispatched on an
13:31Arctic expedition to Hudson Bay.
13:33The expedition aimed to discover the fate of previous explorations and to chart unknown
13:38regions.
13:39The voyage, though, faced numerous challenges, including severe ice conditions that trapped
13:43it for ten months.
13:45Despite the hardships, the expedition contributed valuable knowledge about Arctic navigation
13:50and survival.
13:51The HMS Terror's most famous and final mission was the Franklin Expedition of 1845.
13:57Alongside its sister ship, the HMS Erebus, the Terror was tasked with navigating the
14:02last uncharted sections of the Northwest Passage.
14:05Under the command of Sir John Franklin, the expedition set sail from England with high
14:09hopes and extensive preparations.
14:12The ships were outfitted with the latest technology, including steam engines and reinforced
14:16hulls to tackle the icy conditions.
14:19Despite the preparations, the HMS Terror and HMS Erebus became icebound in the Victoria
14:24Strait near King William Island, and eventually sank.
14:28The wrecks were only rediscovered in 2014 and 2016, off the coast of King William Island
14:33in what is now Nunavut, Canada.
14:35The discoveries provided valuable insights into just what had happened to the two vessels
14:40and how difficult it used to be to operate in frozen conditions.
14:458.
14:46The Mary Rose The Mary Rose was one of the most famous ships
14:51in British history.
14:52Commissioned by King Henry VIII and built between 1509 and 1511, it was one of the earliest
14:58purpose-built warships.
15:00The Mary Rose was a formidable vessel in the English Navy, participating in campaigns against
15:05France, Scotland, and Brittany.
15:07Its design was innovative for its time, featuring a sleek hull, a high forecastle, and an aftcastle,
15:14which provided strategic advantages in naval battles.
15:17The ship was equipped with a combination of large wrought iron and bronze cannons capable
15:22of firing heavy projectiles that could devastate enemy ships.
15:26Despite the capabilities, the Mary Rose met its end on July 19th, 1545, during the Battle
15:32of the Solent against the French invasion fleet.
15:35While attempting to engage the enemy, the ship suddenly heeled over and sank.
15:40The exact cause of the sinking remains a topic of debate among historians, with theories
15:44ranging from a sudden gust of wind to human error or structural instability due to modifications
15:50made over the years.
15:52Some accounts suggest that the ship might have been overloaded with equipment, contributing
15:56to its sudden capsize.
15:58The Mary Rose lay beneath the Solent's waters for over four centuries, until its rediscovery
16:03in 1971 by marine archaeologist Alexander McKee and his team.
16:09This discovery marked the beginning of one of the most significant maritime archaeological
16:12projects in history.
16:14The ship was raised from the seabed in 1982, and it was hoped that the mystery may finally
16:19be solved.
16:20Now housed in a dedicated museum and Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, it's still not been possible
16:26to determine why exactly it sank, but the thousands of artifacts that were recovered
16:30from the ship, including weapons, tools, and personal items, offer a detailed and fascinating
16:36look at the daily lives of the sailors and the ship's operation.
16:41Moving on to number 7, the USS Conestoga.
16:45The USS Conestoga, which was a tugboat built in 1903 by the Maryland Steel Company, holds
16:51a mysterious place in maritime history.
16:54Initially constructed for commercial use, the Conestoga was acquired by the U.S. Navy
16:59in 1917 during World War I and would play an important role in supporting naval operations.
17:06During its commercial use, the Conestoga served various roles, primarily assisting with towing
17:11and salvage operations.
17:12The vessel was 170 feet or 52 meters in length and capable of powerful towing capacities.
17:18Its design reflected the practical needs of early 20th century maritime industries, emphasizing
17:24durability and versatility.
17:27The acquisition of the Conestoga for the war saw it being fitted with armaments, including
17:31a three-inch gun to defend against potential threats.
17:35The vessel's primary mission was to perform towing, salvage, and rescue operations.
17:39The Conestoga served well, and in the post-war years it continued to operate along the U.S.
17:44East Coast and in the Caribbean, performing a variety of essential tasks.
17:48However, it will be best remembered for its mysterious disappearance in 1921.
17:55On March 25th of that year, the Conestoga departed from the Mare Island Naval Shipyard
17:59in California, bound for American Samoa, and was never seen again.
18:04Its disappearance sparked a massive search operation involving multiple ships and aircraft.
18:10Despite extensive efforts, no trace of the vessel was found, leading to one of the most
18:14enduring maritime mysteries in U.S. naval history.
18:17For decades, the fate of the Conestoga remained unknown, fueling speculation.
18:22The mystery, though, was finally solved, to an extent, in 2016 when the National Oceanic
18:28and Atmospheric Administration announced the discovery of the Conestoga's wreck off the
18:32coast of California's Farallon Islands.
18:35The investigation revealed that the vessel had likely encountered a severe storm shortly
18:39after departing the island, leading to its sinking, but for some reason, it was 30 miles
18:45or 50 kilometers off its intended course.
18:486.
18:50The Vasa The Vasa, a Swedish warship from the 17th
18:54century, was commissioned by King Gustavus Adolphus, and was intended to be a symbol
18:58of Sweden's naval strength.
19:01Built between 1626 and 1628 in the Stockholm shipyard, the Vasa was designed to be one
19:06of the most powerful warships of its era, featuring a vast array of armaments and elaborate
19:11decorations.
19:13With intricate carvings depicting Bible scenes, mythical figures, and Swedish royalty, all
19:18intended to display the might and sophistication of the Swedish Empire, and crucially 64 bronze
19:24cannons, it was one of the most heavily armed vessels of its time.
19:28There was, though, a major problem with its design.
19:32The ship's towering structure made it top-heavy and unstable, so on August 10th, 1628, when
19:37the Vasa set sail on its maiden voyage from Stockholm Harbor, it heeled over when a gust
19:43of wind struck its sail.
19:45Water rushed in through the gun ports, and within minutes, the Vasa sank to the bottom
19:49of the harbor.
19:51It was one of the biggest embarrassments in maritime history, but no one was ultimately
19:55held accountable for the sinking.
19:57Instead, authorities tried to forget all about it, and for over three centuries, the Vasa
20:01lay forgotten on the seabed, preserved by the cold waters of the Stockholm Harbor.
20:06It wasn't until the late 1950s that Anders Frenzen, a Swedish naval archaeologist, rediscovered
20:12the Vasa, and his efforts led to the ship's salvage in 1961.
20:16Amazingly, the ship was raised almost intact, offering a unique time capsule of 17th century
20:22naval warfare, shipbuilding, and daily life.
20:25Now on display at the Vasa Museum in Stockholm, which opened in 1990, it's one of Sweden's
20:30most popular tourist attractions.
20:325.
20:34THE SANTO ANTONIO The Santo Antonio, a Portuguese merchant ship,
20:39was part of a fleet that sailed from Lisbon, laden with a rich cargo that included copper,
20:44silver coins, ingots, and possibly spices and other goods, destined for trade in northern
20:50Europe.
20:51In the early 16th century, Portugal was the dominant maritime power, and its ships were
20:55frequent visitors to points across Europe.
20:58Santo Antonio's journey was part of this extensive network of trade that connected
21:02Portugal to the rest of the continent.
21:04It would, though, meet its end on the 19th of January 1527, when it encountered severe
21:10weather conditions as it navigated the treacherous waters of the English Channel.
21:14The loss of the Santo Antonio was a significant event, as it was one of the more prominent
21:19wrecks of the period, drawing considerable attention.
21:22The local population, like many coastal communities of the time, was used to salvaging goods from
21:27shipwrecks, so following the wreck there was a concerted effort to recover the valuable
21:31cargo from the remains.
21:33Historical records indicate that both local inhabitants and representatives of the crown
21:37were involved in the salvage operations.
21:40Reports from the time describe the recovery of large quantities of copper and silver,
21:44which have been highly prized, but in the centuries that followed the story of the Santo
21:48Antonio faded into local lore, becoming part of the rich tapestry of maritime history associated
21:54with Cornwall.
21:55In the 20th century, advances in underwater archaeology and diving technology allowed
22:00for renewed efforts to explore and document the site of the wreck.
22:04These modern investigations have uncovered artifacts and provided further evidence on
22:08the ship's cargo and its significance, and interestingly, have raised questions about
22:12whether it did sink purely because of the storm, or because it was either overfilled
22:17with cargo or potentially even sabotaged.
22:214.
22:22The SS Becimo The SS Becimo, probably the most famous ghost
22:27ship of all, is one of the biggest maritime mysteries.
22:31The steel-hulled cargo steamship was built in 1914 in Sweden and was originally operated
22:36by the Hudson's Bay Company.
22:38Repurposed for the fur trade, making regular voyages between trading posts along the northern
22:43coast of Canada, it transported pelts from trappers and traders back to markets in Europe
22:48and brought essential supplies to the remote communities.
22:51Its final journey began in October of 1931, when it became trapped in pack ice near Barrow
22:57in Alaska.
22:58The crew initially waited for the ice to break up, hoping to continue their journey,
23:02but as the ice refused to thaw and the weather worsened, they abandoned the ship temporarily,
23:07setting up a camp nearby.
23:09When a severe blizzard hit, the crew lost sight of the Becimo, and when things calmed,
23:13the ship had vanished.
23:15They assumed it had sunk in the storm, but a few days later a seal hunter spotted the
23:19vessel adrift some miles away.
23:22The crew managed to retrieve some of the cargo, but the ice conditions prevented them from
23:26salvaging the ship.
23:28Believing the ship to be doomed, the Hudson's Bay Company ordered the crew to return home.
23:33Surprisingly though, the Becimo did not sink and was seen repeatedly over the following
23:38years, floating aimlessly in the Arctic waters.
23:42It became known as the Ghost Ship of the Arctic.
23:45For the next several days, it was sighted numerous times, often in remote and icy regions,
23:50and was spotted as far away as the Beaufort Sea.
23:53While many attempts were made to board it and gain control, conditions always prevented
23:57this from being possible, and it continued to float on aimlessly.
24:02The last confirmed sighting of the Becimo was in 1969, 38 years after its abandonment,
24:08and now, despite numerous searches and reports, the ultimate fate of the vessel remains unknown.
24:14While it likely succumbed to the Arctic conditions eventually, there's also the chance that one
24:19day it might be seen again, still lost after almost a century.
24:243.
24:26THE EDWARD BOLIN You usually expect to find shipwrecks at
24:30the bottom of the ocean, or at least along a coastline, but there's one that, mysteriously,
24:36is in the middle of a desert.
24:38The Edward Bolin was a 2,200-ton steamer built in 1890 and operated by the Woermann Line,
24:44a prominent shipping company of the era.
24:46Designed for cargo, it primarily operated along the West African coast, facilitating
24:51trade and transportation between Germany and its African colonies.
24:55It carried a variety of goods, including machinery, textiles, and other essential commodities,
25:00playing a vital role in the economic activities of the German Empire.
25:04In September 1909, though, the Edward Bolin embarked on what would be its final voyage.
25:10The ship was traveling to Table Bay in South Africa, carrying cargo that included machinery
25:14and construction materials.
25:16On the 5th of September, while navigating through dense fog, the ship ran aground near
25:20Conception Bay along the Skeleton Coast.
25:23Efforts to refloat the ship were to no avail, and the harsh environment, with treacherous
25:27waters and the relentless Namib Desert, made rescue operations extremely difficult.
25:33The crew and passengers managed to disembark safely, but the Edward Bolin was left to the
25:37elements.
25:38Over the years, the desert has encroached further inland, and the Edward Bolin now rests
25:43about 1,300 feet or 400 meters from the current shoreline.
25:47The dry, arid conditions of the Namib Desert preserved the wreck remarkably well, and the
25:52skeletal remains of the ship, partially buried in sand, present a mystifying sight.
25:58Adding to the strange landscape along the coast are several other shipwrecks too, including
26:02the Otavi and the MV Dunedin Star as well.
26:05As being fascinating sights, they've also become a stark warning to other ships sailing
26:10past.
26:11In addition to its strange appearance, the area around the wreck has now become a popular
26:14destination for adventurous tourists and photographers, drawn by its eerie, ghostly appearance.
26:20It's also become a popular location for TV shows and movies, recently featuring as a
26:24nuclear landscape in the adaptation of Fallout.
26:282.
26:29The San Jose The San Jose, which was seen as the Holy Grail
26:34of shipwrecks, is one of the most famous Spanish galleons in history.
26:39It was launched in 1698 as part of the Spanish fleet, designed to transport goods and wealth
26:44from the colonies in the Americas back to Spain.
26:47This period was marked by intense maritime rivalry, especially between Spain and its
26:52European adversaries, such as England and France.
26:55The Spanish treasure fleets were heavily guarded and closely monitored, as they carried immense
27:00wealth critical to funding Spain's ambitions and maintaining the empire.
27:04In 1708, the San Jose was part of a treasure fleet preparing to return to Spain from the
27:09Caribbean.
27:10It was heavily laden with gold, silver, and precious gems acquired from the Spanish colonies
27:15in Peru and Colombia.
27:17The fleet's journey was dangerous, not just because of the treacherous seas, but also
27:21due to the ever-present threat of attack from enemy ships.
27:24On June 8th, the San Jose encountered a British squadron commanded by Commodore Charles Wager
27:29near Cartagena, Colombia.
27:31A fierce battle took place, and the British, keen to capture the treasure-laden galleon,
27:36relentlessly pursued the San Jose.
27:39During the confrontation, the Spanish vessel suffered a catastrophic explosion, likely
27:43caused by a hit to its gunpowder magazines, and the ship sank rapidly, taking with it
27:48an estimated treasure worth billions of dollars in today's currency.
27:52With artifacts from the site including cannons, ceramics, and personal items of the crew,
27:57all which contribute to our understanding of maritime history, there was a matter of
28:02the precious metals still believed to be worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
28:06The discovery of the San Jose in 2015 has led to discussions about the preservation
28:11and study of underwater historical sites.
28:14Colombia, which considers the wreck part of its national heritage, faces challenges in
28:18protecting the site from looters and ensuring that the artifacts are preserved and studied
28:23responsibly.
28:24Internationally, the wreck has also caused debates over maritime law and the ownership
28:28of shipwrecks, particularly those with significant historical and financial value.
28:33The San Jose's story continues to evolve as new technologies and international collaborations
28:38aim to explore and preserve this remarkable find.
28:42Spain has laid claim to the treasures on board, but so have the countries that valuable objects
28:46have been taken from, meaning that the enduring mystery of the San Jose will no longer be
28:51about where it is, but who has the right to what's there.
28:561.
28:57THE DOCOS Particularly with old ships that were made
29:01from wood, there's usually only so long they can survive underwater before they deteriorate
29:07beyond recognition.
29:09In some circumstances, ships can last a lot longer, though, and that's what happened with
29:12the Docos, which is regarded as the oldest known shipwreck in the world.
29:17Discovered off the coast of the small Greek island of Docos in the Aegean Sea, the Bronze
29:21Age shipwreck dates back to around 4,200 years ago, giving a unique glimpse into early seafaring
29:28communities.
29:29The Docos wreck was first discovered in 1975 by Greek archaeologist Peter Thokmorton, who
29:35was conducting underwater surveys in the Aegean.
29:38Thokmorton's team identified the site by spotting a large scatter of ceramic artifacts of the
29:43seabed at depths of about 100 feet or about 30 meters.
29:46These artifacts were later confirmed to belong to a single shipwreck, one that was older
29:51than had been seen before.
29:53Subsequent excavations were carried out by the Hellenic Institute of Marine Archaeology
29:57from 1989 to 1992, and they revealed a huge selection of artifacts, including pottery,
30:03tools, and stone anchors, which provided significant evidence about the ship's cargo and the period
30:09it belonged to.
30:10The site was meticulously documented, with hundreds of ceramic pieces being catalogued
30:15and analyzed.
30:17From all this, the most important finds from the Docos shipwreck were the large quantities
30:21of pottery.
30:22These included amphorae, which are large storage jars typically used for transporting liquid
30:27such as wine or oil, as well as various types of bowls and jugs.
30:32The pottery's design and construction were similar to those of the early Helladak period,
30:37aligning with the estimated date of the shipwreck.
30:39As well as the ceramics, the excavations uncovered stone anchors, showing the ship's anchoring
30:44methods, and suggesting that the vessel was quite a large one for its time, capable of
30:49carrying a substantial cargo.
30:51Other artifacts included millstones, which were likely used for grinding grain, and revealed
30:56a lot about the types of goods that were transported by these ancient traders.
31:00Because of its age, the Docos shipwreck holds huge archaeological and historical significance
31:05for several reasons.
31:06Firstly, it provides concrete evidence of early seafaring and maritime trade in the
31:11Aegean region, showing the advanced shipbuilding skills of ancient civilizations.
31:15The cargo also proves that trade networks were established and that goods were transported
31:20across considerable distances, allowing for cultural and economic exchanges.
31:25The pottery found at the site also offers valuable insights into the daily lives and
31:29practices of these early communities.
31:32By studying the design, manufacturing techniques, and contents of these ceramic vessels, researchers
31:37can infer aspects of diet, storage, and trade practices during the Bronze Age.
31:43With research continuing into the site and the objects that have been found there, little
31:48of the wooden vessel itself remains, but elements of it do and have shown the construction techniques
31:53that were used.
31:54As for why it sank and who operated it, these may be mysteries that will probably be impossible
32:00to solve.
32:01Thanks for watching everyone, I'll see you next time.