The crew of the salvage vessel Virgalona recovers 216 gold coins at the Douglass Beach WreckA 1715 Fleet wreck site...
Read MoreWelcome to the all new
1715 Fleet Society
A 501c(3) Nonprofit organization dedicated to researching the history of the 1715 Fleet, its loss, rediscovery and recovery.
Florida in the 18th century remained an isolated outpost of the Spanish Empire. Its most important mission was to secure the homeward route of the Spanish New World Treasure Fleets. These fleets had long funded Spain’s now-declining role in European & world affairs. The loss of the 1715 Fleet was another blow to the newly established Bourbon dynasties of Spain. Gold and silver in great quantity was homeward bound to Philip V when a hurricane destroyed his fleet along Florida’s coast. Some recovery in the aftermath still left much to be recovered beginning in the 1960’s and ongoing to this day. Much research remains to be done on the 1715 Fleet and its treasure. The State of Florida has accumulated a magnificent and yet little studied collection of Fleet material. The 1715 Fleet Society aims to promote public awareness and scholarly study of all facets of the 1715 Fleet disaster.
Membership has its benefits.
Join a community of fleet enthusiasts and gain access to special events, shows, content, and more.
Meet the Board of Directors for the new
1715 Fleet Society Nonprofit Corporation
Meet the Advisory Board for the new
1715 Fleet Society Nonprofit Corporation
Chairman and Academic Coordinator
Archaeology and Archival Research
1715 Fleet Society
Featured Content
Latest Posts
From the Archives
This Day in Fleet History – September 16, 1714
King Philip V of Spain marries (by proxy) Elizabeth Farnese of Parma. They met for the first time three months...
Read MoreTickets ON SALE! 1715 Fleet Society Conference in Vero Beach, FL
Tickets for the 2024 Conference & Meeting at Costa d’Este in Vero Beach (January 8-10) are now on sale to MEMBERS...
Read MoreNewsletter
Regular updates from the 1715 Fleet Society
Treasure of the Month
Past and current featured treasures
This Day in Fleet History
Special days of significance to the 1715 Fleet