The British yacht in Mallorca which was built to discover a lost 200 million dollar treasure

The end of the Spanish empire in South America was in sight. After decades of Spanish rule some countries had exploded into rebellion. In Peru in 1820 a plan was hatched to smuggle out to Mexico an enormous treasure before the country fell into rebel hands.

But the treasure never reached Mexico. Instead the crew of the vessel which had been charged with delivering the loot stole it and headed to the Cocos Island where it was allegedly buried and never discovered. The story has been the talk of treasure hunters ever since.

Britain’s godfather of speed, Sir Malcolm Campbell was obsessed with the treasure and built a boat specifically to find it: Blue Bird, designed by GL Watson, launched in 1938 and now one of the best classic yachts. At present she is moored in Puerto Adriano in Mallorca.

But the Blue Bird never reached the Cocos Island. World War 2 broke out and the beautiful yacht was requisitioned by the Royal Navy and not handed back to Campbell until 1947. Soon after the land and water speed record holder died, and with him the dream of digging up the Treasure of Lima. During the war the Blue Bird took part in the Dunkirk evacuation.

But the Blue Bird did reach the Cocos Islands but 60 years later. New owner Tara Getty, his wife Jessica and their three children, travelled to the island aboard the yacht to finish the journey started by Campbell.

The treasure remains a mystery and has never been found but the Blue Bird, which is a treasure of a yacht, is now in Mallorca waters.