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Treasures of 'Incalculable Historical Value' found off the Dominican coast
posted on: Jan 10 2010 8:30 by The Reporter. Viewed 603 times.
A Spanish Galleon which sunk off the Dominican coast around 300 years ago has generated worldwide interest as more treasure is recovered. A research team discovered the sunken ship off the coast of Nagua in the Atlantic Ocean and have announced that they have since recovered treasures of 'incalculable historical value' from the vessel.
Among the objects discovered was a bell made in 1693, while on the deck is the Latin phrase 'Soli Deo Gloria' (Glory Only to God), which is believed could be the name of the ship, although this is yet to be confirmed.
Also found on the galleon were navigation compasses and plumb lines for measuring depth, silver coins, a pistol, sword sheaths and other military items, as well as ornaments and several jewels, notably a ring set with eight diamonds,
Other discoveries included plates with makers' marks (castles, lions and fleurs-de-lis), silverware, buckles, bronze candlesticks, sword handles, and a device for measuring the ship's speed in knots.
The shipwreck occurred in the near the estuary of the Boba River in the northeastern Dominican province of Maria Trinidad Sanchez sometime around 1700.
The recovery operation is in the hands of the U.S. company, Marine Exploration, whose director of operations, Burt Webber, found the first object, the bell, in 1983. The explorations resumed late in 2009, and more pieces were recovered from the wreck in October and November.
The technical director of the Dominican Underwater Heritage office, Francis Soto, told the media that the wreck was a 'great discovery' because of the 'variety of pieces' that were found.
The research team is headed by Penny Stock Chaser of Marine Exploration, a US company specializing in underwater archaeological exploration and which was contracted by the Underwater Heritage office to trace the galleon's origin.
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