The Portuguese merchant ship Bom Jesus (Good Jesus) set sail from Lisbon on March 7th, 1533, bound for India. It was loaded with valuable cargo – gold, silver, and ivory. During its journey, it was caught in a devastating storm, and both the ship and its crew vanished without a trace.
Until 2008, it was believed that Bom Jesus lay somewhere at the bottom of the ocean. However, the ship was found in an unexpected location – in the Namib desert. It was discovered entirely by accident by local diamond miners from the company De Beers, who were carrying out operations in the southern African country.
The wreck was buried in the sand and contained around 2.000 Spanish and Portuguese gold coins, silver coins, and copper ingots with a total estimated value of about 13 million dollars.
Although the wreck had been deteriorating for nearly five centuries and only a small part of its original structure was preserved, the valuables were found in relatively good condition.
Dr. Dieter Noli, the lead archaeologist at the South African Institute for Maritime Archaeological Research, led the excavation and claims that the copper ingots found on the ship were responsible for preserving the treasure.
“Marine organisms may like wood, book covers, peach pits, jute sacks, and leather shoes, but copper really repels them from their food – so a lot of things survived 500 years at the bottom of the sea that really shouldn’t have,” he said.
Several valuable items were found on the ship, including old compasses, bowls and cooking utensils, swords, astronomical and navigational tools, five anchors, and even cannons.
Even 17 years after the wreck’s discovery, it remains unclear what exactly happened to Bom Jesus or how it ended up in Namibia. It is assumed that a powerful storm dragged it close to the shore, where its hull struck a rock and capsized. As the water receded, over the centuries, the ship “emerged” from the sand.
Regardless, Bom Jesus remains the oldest and most valuable shipwreck ever discovered in Sub-Saharan Africa, Punkufer writes.
Photo: Shutterschock
