Cmmdre
09-05-2013, 19:48
The 1715 Treasure Fleet was a Spanish treasure fleet returning from the New World to Spain. In the evening of July 30, 1715, seven days after departing from Havana, Cuba, eleven of the twelve ships of this fleet were lost in a hurricane near present day Vero Beach, Florida. Because the fleet was carrying silver, it is also known as the 1715 Plate Fleet (plata being the Spanish word for silver plate).Some artifacts and even coins still wash up on Florida beaches from time to time.
Around 1,000 sailors perished while a small number survived on lifeboats. Many ships, including pirates, took part in the initial salvage. Initially a privateer, Henry Jennings was first accused of piracy for attacking such salvage ships and claiming their salvages.
Kip Wagner's team built an exhibit featured in the January 1965 issue of the National Geographic and held at National Geographic "Explorers Hall" in Washington, D.C. This was the beginning of a fine collection of 1715 plate fleet treasure that brought hundreds of visitors from around the world. An exhibit was set up with a grand opening on May 1, 1967 at the First National Bank of Satellite Beach, Florida.
A museum in Cape Canaveral, Florida the Museum of Sunken Treasure housed this treasure. Underwater archeologist Bob Marx designed many of the exhibits, as well as providing additional treasure to the collection.
In 1987 another ship in the fleet, the Urca de Lima, became the first shipwreck in the Florida Underwater Archaeological Preserves.
6569
Directly copied from this link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1715_Treasure_Fleet
A Florida treasure-hunting family struck it rich over the weekend when they discovered an estimated $300,000 worth of gold coins and chains off the coast of Fort Pierce.
"This is like the end of a dream" Rick Schmitt who found the sunken treasure with his family and fellow diver Dale Zeak told the Sun-Sentinel.com.
Schmitt and wife Lisa along with their grown children Hillary and Eric uncovered the treasure 150 yards offshore which includes 64 feet of thin gold chains, five gold coins and a gold ring.
The treasure reportedly comes from the wreckage of a convoy of 11 ships that were destroyed in a hurricane off the coast of Florida in 1715 while they were traveling from Havana to Spain.
More information about recent find at these links:
http://news.discovery.com/earth/oceans/family-finds-300000-gold-treasure-off-coast-florida-130904.htm
http://www.wtsp.com/news/topstories/article/333479/250/Treasure-hunters-find-350K-worth-of-gold-off-FL-coast
http://www.upi.com/Odd_News/Blog/2013/09/04/Family-finds-gold-valued-at-300000-in-Florida/9371378296105/
Around 1,000 sailors perished while a small number survived on lifeboats. Many ships, including pirates, took part in the initial salvage. Initially a privateer, Henry Jennings was first accused of piracy for attacking such salvage ships and claiming their salvages.
Kip Wagner's team built an exhibit featured in the January 1965 issue of the National Geographic and held at National Geographic "Explorers Hall" in Washington, D.C. This was the beginning of a fine collection of 1715 plate fleet treasure that brought hundreds of visitors from around the world. An exhibit was set up with a grand opening on May 1, 1967 at the First National Bank of Satellite Beach, Florida.
A museum in Cape Canaveral, Florida the Museum of Sunken Treasure housed this treasure. Underwater archeologist Bob Marx designed many of the exhibits, as well as providing additional treasure to the collection.
In 1987 another ship in the fleet, the Urca de Lima, became the first shipwreck in the Florida Underwater Archaeological Preserves.
6569
Directly copied from this link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1715_Treasure_Fleet
A Florida treasure-hunting family struck it rich over the weekend when they discovered an estimated $300,000 worth of gold coins and chains off the coast of Fort Pierce.
"This is like the end of a dream" Rick Schmitt who found the sunken treasure with his family and fellow diver Dale Zeak told the Sun-Sentinel.com.
Schmitt and wife Lisa along with their grown children Hillary and Eric uncovered the treasure 150 yards offshore which includes 64 feet of thin gold chains, five gold coins and a gold ring.
The treasure reportedly comes from the wreckage of a convoy of 11 ships that were destroyed in a hurricane off the coast of Florida in 1715 while they were traveling from Havana to Spain.
More information about recent find at these links:
http://news.discovery.com/earth/oceans/family-finds-300000-gold-treasure-off-coast-florida-130904.htm
http://www.wtsp.com/news/topstories/article/333479/250/Treasure-hunters-find-350K-worth-of-gold-off-FL-coast
http://www.upi.com/Odd_News/Blog/2013/09/04/Family-finds-gold-valued-at-300000-in-Florida/9371378296105/