In 1804, the British Royal Navy sank the Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes, one of the last of the Treasure Ships from the Americas, as it was sailing from Peru to Spain carrying tons of Peruvian silver and gold. The loss of the Mercedes caused Spain to declare war against England, leading a year later to the Battle of Trafalgar. The loss was a historical event that captured in two paintings.
Two centuries later, Odyssey Marine Exploration found the wreckage and removed some 17 tons of doubloons, which now sit in a Florida warehouse. There are four principal claimants to the Treasure-Odyssey Marine, descendants of owners of private property on board, and two sovereigns, the Kingdom of Spain and the Republic of Peru. Maney & Associates, PC represents the Republic of Peru in an unprecedented effort to enforce Peru's rights as a successor state to the Spain of 1804, which included Peru as a Viceroyalty.
