13. La Juliana Spanish Galleon
In 2014, maritime archaeologists diving off Florida’s coast located the wreck of La Juliana, a 1656 Spanish galleon lost during a hurricane. The site revealed scattered ship’s timbers, pottery sherds, and silver coins stamped with the seal of King Philip IV. Smithsonian Magazine Detailed excavation mapped cargo distribution and hull fragments, shedding light on 17th-century colonial trade routes between New Spain and Europe. Analysis of recovered ceramics and bullion is refining our understanding of shipboard storage practices and maritime commerce in the treasure fleets.
