Shipwrecks
Concepción of Saipan
Wrecked 1638 · worked 1987 · Off Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands
Partially salvagedThe prize. Manila-galleon gold & jewelry
Where. Off Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands
Status. Partially salvaged
Where. Off Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands
Status. Partially salvaged
The account
The Manila galleons were the richest ships that ever sailed, and the Concepción was lost in sight of land with a year of Asia's luxury aboard. Storm and reef scattered her for a mile. What the 1987 divers brought up made headlines; what they left is the quiet part.
Leads, where the trail points now
- Where the trail goes cold: A 1987 salvage raised gold chains and jewelry from the reef; the rest of one of the richest Pacific galleons is still in the coral. That is where any serious search begins.
- What you are chasing is Manila-galleon gold & jewelry. Work the documented record of Concepción of Saipan back to primary sources and separate what is attested from folklore.
- Confirm who owns and governs Off Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands and get written permission before any search; treat protected or archaeological ground as off limits.
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