Two Artifacts recovered from the 1714 Fleet

[cirelaw]

In September 1715, 11 galleons left Havana for Spain loaded with King Phillip the Fourths' treasure trove. After the crosssing from Cuba, a Hurricane caught the fleet right as they were sailing north of our coast battered them and forcing all but one to to be pushed into our shallow reefs scattering their treasure and lives from Jupiter in the south and Melbournes in the north. Only one straggler got back to Seville and reported the loss. King Phillip sent salvors to our coast in hopes of recovering the spoils. Their base came has been found. Mel Fishers' museum stands in it its place on A1A. ! The Spanish fleet left Havana harbour already in the 1715 annual hurricane season. The hurricane hit the fleet as it was off the coast of Florida streching from Jupiter inlet in the south toward Melbourne in the north. One made it back to Spain and brought the bad news to King Phillip the IV and caused Him to be unable to continue to fund the war with England! Usually after a hurricane sweeps the sand away and some are still found! A client of mine was diving for lobster south of the Fort Pierce inlet and discovered a Spanish bronze signal cannon and was in the long process of desalting an preserving it when some one ratted and it was seized. I had one of the stone wheel used to ground grain which I later sold. I met Mel Fisher in a bar in Ft. Pierce 4 years before he died. Here wore a 6 feet gold chain. The Spanish surrounded themselves with such beautiful ornate gold and gems. Emeralds are still found on north beach. They are mistaken for broken green glass from old 7 up bottles! Also its said for years the silver silver reals, then black and encrusted were used to flip them not realizing their real worth. Mel Fisher Museum has a fine site to start your adventure. Happy Hunting~~~~Eric