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Monday, 12th May 2008 (2525 views)

The government of Namibia has taken over the responsibility for excavating a 15th century shipwreck laden with Spanish and Portuguese gold, according to reports in the African country.

Newspaper the Namibian says the move comes after the Portuguese government contacted the country's president Hifikepunye Pohamba directly to ask that state authorities look after the wreck, which was discovered last month.

The ship, which is thought to be at least 500 years old, was discovered by Namdeb - a company part-owned by the Namibian state. Its cargo is said to include "thousands" of gold coins from Spain and Portugal, as well as cannons and around 50 elephant tusks.

Following the request from Portugal, President Pohamba reportedly dispatched three of his ministers to inspect the site.

A "well-placed" source at the Office of the President told the newspaper that the government has "taken full charge" of the matter and is now examining all the information on the wreck in order to plan the way forward.

Meanwhile, the newspaper states, there is increased speculation as to the identity of the sunken vessel, with some claiming that it could be the ship of Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias, which disappeared off the Cape of Good Hope in southern Africa in May 1500.

 

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