Our Treasure of the Month for August is proof that not all treasure is found underwater or underground. Our featured treasure is an original journal kept by Real Eight member Lou UllianLouis J. (Lou) Ullian (1932 – 2010) Was a diver and original member of the Real Eight Company. A native of Worcester, Massachusetts he served in the U.S. Navy, Naval Weapons Station from 1956 – 19... More. Measuring just 5 ½” by 8″, this journal is a “treasure trove” of information about the early days of the 1715 Fleet recovery. He called his journal “Flota del Plata,” which loosely translates to “Silver Fleet”. Also, as can be seen by the cover, the journal also featured some unusual artwork compliments of Mr. Ullian!
The journal was started in 1961 at about the time the Real Eight CompanyAlso referred to occasionally as “The Real 8 Company”- was incorporated in 1961. It had eight members….Kip Wagner, Kip Kelso, Dan Thompson, Harry Cannon, Lou Ullian, Del Long, Erv Taylor and Lis... More was incorporated. Of all the Real Eight members, Lou UllianLouis J. (Lou) Ullian (1932 – 2010) Was a diver and original member of the Real Eight Company. A native of Worcester, Massachusetts he served in the U.S. Navy, Naval Weapons Station from 1956 – 19... More was, in our estimation, not only the best records keeper but possessed the greatest knowledge of the coins recovered by Real Eight.
His journal also listed items salvaged at certain wreck sites like one located in Fort Pierce which at the time he thought was the Urca de LimaSee Wedge Wreck. More as well as the wreck site located near Sebastian which he believed to be the Almiranta of the New Spain Fleet (NOTE: The actual identity of this wreck, colloquially referred to as the “Cabin Wreck”, is still a subject of current study. The two most likely ships under consideration are the Santo Christo de San Roman, the Almiranta of the New Spain Fleet, and the Nuestra Señora de Regla, the Capitana of the New Spain Fleet.) Over the years, he edited the journal from time to time, with the last edit occurring in 1975. Lou also maintained a second, more comprehensive journal listing detailed treasure recoveries through the mid-sixties.
In addition to listing the items salvaged, his journal also contained a list of wreck locations (see below), diving equipment and supplies, how to use lifting devices, a description of coins found, names and contact information of other divers involved in salvaging operations, and even the pay scale for salvage workers (also below).
Lou’s journal offers a unique insight into the history of the first organized effort undertaken to recover the treasures of the lost 1715 Fleet. Although much of this history is also recorded in books, specifically Pieces of Eight by Kip WagnerKip Wagner (1906 – 1972) was instrumental in the formation of the team that later became the Real Eight Company and one of the greatest salvage groups that ever explored the 1715 Fleet wrecks. He ... More, published in 1966 by the E.P. Dutton Company of New York, the journal provides supplemental details not covered in any books.
The Society is privileged to have this item in its Real Eight collection of documents and records. It should be noted that the second, more comprehensive journal mentioned above was acquired by the Society (through a generous donation from a benefactor) from Lou UllianLouis J. (Lou) Ullian (1932 – 2010) Was a diver and original member of the Real Eight Company. A native of Worcester, Massachusetts he served in the U.S. Navy, Naval Weapons Station from 1956 – 19... More personally in March 2010. Lou died two months later. In 2015, the journal was returned to the family as it was believed that this item was an heirloom that should remain in the family’s possession. A copy of the journal was made by the family and submitted to the Society for its records.
