Here is a story from 2008 that is still fascinating 16 years later. It was in 2008 that the Bom Jesus, a Portuguese trading vessel, was found in, of all places, the Namibian desert. On the wreck was 40 tons of cargo including 1,845 copper ingots, over 2000 gold and silver coins from multiple sources […]
The Ship of the Desert Read More »
Here are some interesting archaeological stories regarding recent recoveries from around the globe. Read about a Bronze Age sword found in Bavaria that, despite its age, is incredibly well preserved. An excavation in Turkey came with a terrifying warning and a discovery in the Amazon rainforest reveals the artistic abilities of Ice Age artists. How
Recent Archaeological News Read More »
The Mel Fisher Days — Annual Charity Event is almost here! Since it started in 1998 it has been held in Key West, but this year it will be held in Sebastian, Florida “where it all began.” The online auction is now LIVE with over $30,000 in stuff to bid on between authentic treasures, and places to stay and play in
Mel Fisher Days — Annual Charity Event (July 19-21) Read More »
Newspapers reported that the state of Florida was maintaining an air of secrecy regarding the number of coins found by treasure hunters who recovered coins while operating under leases provided by the state. It appeared that disclosing the number of coins could have an adverse effect on the coin-collecting market. Citing an example, 15,000 silver coins
From the Fleet Society Archives — June 25, 1964 Read More »
Among the many documents, letters, and assorted ephemera that are part of the Fleet Society Archives, there are many magazines. While going through some old publications I came across an interesting item from 1950 … Florida Speaks. Florida Speaks Magazine was published four times a year, specifically in March, June, October, and December. The magazine
From the Fleet Society Archives — Florida Speaks, Fall Edition 1950 Read More »
As with many shipwrecks, the real difficulty is not in the finding, it is in the keeping. RMS Titanic, Incorporated (RMST) understands this quite clearly. Since 1994 RMST has been the official court-recognized steward of Titanic artifacts. The company has recovered, conserved, and displayed thousands of Titanic artifacts. Titanic Exhibits have traveled from city to
Legal Battles Over the Titanic Continue Read More »
Recently we heard from Jeremy Watherston (Member # 145) from Brisbane, Australia regarding a new acquisition he wanted to share with us. He was fortunate to acquire a really nice aggregate or “clump” from the 1715 Fleet. Our little beauty weighs in at a respectable 150 grama (O.331 pounds) and is 4”x 2”x 1.6”. Consisting
News From Down Under Read More »
One of the great things about collecting shipwreck coins is that you are holding a piece of history. It doesn’t matter if the coin is from a Greek vessel lost in the Aegean, from a Spanish Galleon off the coast of Florida, or a sidewheel steamer from the 1850s, each coin is historic and has
Owning a Piece of History Read More »
Greetings website visitors, We would like to announce a new addition to our website. Effective July 1, 2024, we will be featuring a new page called “Shipwrecks, Treasure, Hoards, and Finds from Around the World”. This page will focus on stories about non-Fleet-related material that we feel would be of interest to those who visit
Shipwrecks, Treasure, Hoards, and Finds from Around the World Read More »
July’s Treasure of the Month was a few short weeks ago residing on the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean off the east coast of Florida. Found in May, our treasure consists of over 210 silver reales (mostly eights and fours) that have been lost since the sinking of the 1715 Fleet, some 309 years ago.
July 2024 -Treasure of the Month Read More »
On this day, 55 years ago, a team of Real Eight Company divers working at the Cabin Wreck site near Sebastian, Florida find a nearly intact treasure chest containing silver coins. This is the second such chest found. Previously, a similar chest was found at the same site in July, 1965.
This Day in Fleet History – June 26, 1967 Read More »
While searching through a stack of archival documents and records I came across a booklet entitled “1956 “aqua lung” Your Passport To The Blue Continent”. What was particularly interesting about the booklet was that it was from “Mel’s Aqua Shop, Redondo Beach, California. The “Mel” in question was none other than Mel Fisher. Before working
Mel Fisher Before the 1715 Fleet Read More »
The Tricentennial Royal and over 50 other gold coins are found by the Schmitt family near Fort Pierce, Florida.
This Day in Fleet History – June 17, 2015 Read More »
Winter Park’s very busy Commercial Bank was celebrating its 10th Anniversary. Bank officials were looking for a theme to promote not only the anniversary but a theme that would also attract new customers to their bank. Jerry Banks, the young president of the bank, came up with the idea that they would display recently discovered Spanish
From the Fleet Society Archives — February 14, 1965 Read More »
According to Florida news outlets the Real Eight Company reported a profitable salvage month for May 1967. Divers for the company recovered precious artifacts, gold, and silver along with a rare 1702 Spanish coin with a price tag of $10,500.00. They referred to this coin as an “Escudo Royal”. The coin was sold to an
From the Fleet Society Archives — June 5, 1967 Read More »
British Captain Charles Wagers ambushes a Spanish Treasure Fleet near Cartagena during the War of Spanish Succession. Sunk in the battle was the San Jose which was laden with gold, silver, and precious gems which was to be used by the Spanish government to finance the war. The San Jose was found in November 2015
This Day In Fleet History – June 8, 1708 Read More »
In 1994 the Historical Research and Development, Inc. (HRD) company engaged in marine excavations, archaeology, historical research, and the development of technologies to advance the field of historical science. It was a privately held Florida corporation, founded in 1988. On September 1, 1994, a silver altar bell (Artifact #33010) was recovered by Rodney Tyoe at
From the Fleet Society Archives — September 1, 1994 Read More »
Our continued reporting on the San Jose lead to us being contacted by Fleet Society member Matt Puleo (Member # 183 Tampa, Florida), with an interesting story. Matt happened to come across an old newspaper for sale that referenced a naval battle in the Caribbean during the War of Spanish Succession. Thinking that it might
First-Hand Account of Sinking of San Jose Discovered Read More »
The Half Reale salvage crew finds an ornate solid gold “jewelry box” containing a seven-emerald gold cross, a large woven chain, and two gold-and-emerald rings. Found at the Cabin Wreck site near Sebastian, Florida. (The cross was auctioned at Guernsey’s of New York as part of the “Mel & Deo Fisher Collection” in August 2015).
This Day in Fleet History – June 1, 2003 Read More »
For our June Treasure of the Month, we feature a mass of miscellaneous objects fused together into what is often referred to as a “conglomerate”. Closely related to “encrusted objects” and “aggregates”, conglomerates often feature identifiable objects lumped together into an assemblage cemented by ocean deposits. Our featured item contains many items that can be
June 2024 – Treasure of the Month Read More »
