[Fiji Hill]

Under laws governing shipwrecks, the United States recognizes other countries' sovereignty over warships of theirs that sink in US waters.

For one thing, it didn't sink in US waters--there was no US at the time. And the Spaniards will tell you that these were pirate ships, not warships.

[Red Badger]

Even the Spaniards would note the difference between a Flagged Warship and a pirate ship (privateer).........................