Spain claims rights to treasure on 250 wrecks off

Spain claims rights to treasure on 250 wrecks off US shores


By Isambard Wilkinson in Madrid12:00AM GMT 22 Feb 2001


SPAIN says it has been granted rights to more than 250 shipwrecks in waters off American coasts, including treasure galleons , after a historic ruling in the US Supreme Court.

The ruling closed a three-year legal battle between Spain and the state of Virginia which, with an American salvage company, had claimed rights over two Spanish vessels, La Galga and Juno, which sank in 1750 and 1802 respectively off Virginia and Maryland.

The Supreme Court rejected appeals from the salvage company, Sea Hunt, which was issued with salvage permits for the vessels by Virginia, and upheld an earlier ruling that the wrecks belong to Spain. Future salvage claims must be approved by the Spaniards.

The Spanish ambassador in Washington, Javier Ruperez, said yesterday the ruling affected Spain's claims to more than 250 Spanish vessels sunk off the coasts of America. The Madrid government would examine each wreck "case by case".

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/ce...hores.html

http://www.admiraltylawguide.com/circt/4thseahunt.html

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