Welcome to the all new
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.
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Academic Coordinator
Archaeology and Archival Research
Numismatic Content and Comment
Archival Research
Director Emeritus
Join a community of fleet enthusiasts and gain access to special events, shows, content, and more.
August’s Treasure of the Month is a group of Spanish silver reales from the 1715 Fleet collected by a long time resident of Florida’s renowned
The July 2021 edition of Coin World Magazine (on sale until August 9) features a very interesting article on Lost and Found Treasure Ships including
This ruggedly handsome piece-of-eight was minted at the Mexico City facility. It’s a full date 1715 Mexico Eight Reales. 25.8 grams. Full and complete ‘OMJ’.
Regular updates from the 1715 Fleet Society
Past and current featured treasures
Special days of significance to the 1715 Fleet
