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Since the appearance of airplanes, a means of transportation, modern economies have changed sharply because they can carry people and cargo all over the world in a relatively short time. Likewise, vessels were very important in the past as they could transfer people and goods.

Portugal once had the world’s strongest navy. It colonized Brazil, Timor, Macao, Goa, and Angola. According to at least two underwater salvage companies, the Flor de la Mar, a 400-ton Portuguese ship, is believed to have been found in the Java Sea. The big vessel is thought to have carried lots of treasures, including 60 tons of gold, when it sank, in 1512!

The ship’s name, the Flor de la Mar or the Flor do Mar, means the “Flower of the Sea.” It was built in Lisbon, in 1502. The ship was built for the Portuguese India armadas, or fleets of warships. It was twice as big as previous ships. It made its first trip from Portugal to India, in 1502. When the ship returned, in 1503, maneuvering the ship was difficult because the ship, overloaded with lots of spices, was too heavy.

Underwater drones took photos of a galleon that sank in the Java Sea. If this ship is confirmed to be the real Flor de la Mar, some people may become rich!