Lost Treasures of the Flo de la Mar
When Melaka wascaptured by the Portuguese, Admiral alfonso de Albuquerque gave his men three days to sack the city. After wards, Albuquerque himself said that these spoild were "The richest treasure on earth that I have ever seen" This treasure included more than 60 tons of gold booty of all different shapes and sizes, including gilded furniture and the Sultan's throne. Ingots and coinage valued at over 15,000,000 crowns came from the Sultan's palaca alone. An equal amount of gold was also pillaged from the rich merchants of Melaka, most whom were murdered or has fled the city. More than 200 chest of diamonds, emeralds, rubies, sapphires and other precious stones were also included in the spoils. Amoung these treasures were two bronze lion sculptures that were a gift from the emperor of China to the Sultan of Melaka and had stood guard over the palace doors.
In December 1511, the Flor de la Mar and three other vessels loaded with Melaka's treasures began the long sea voyage back to Portugal via Goa. However, they encountered a storm near the northern coast of Sumatra which sent it and two other ships to the bottom with all their riches. Recent attempts to locate the sunken wreck and its treasures have been unsuccessful.
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