Here is a very important historical letter authored by world-renowned treasure hunter Art McKee (1910 – 1979) who is recognized as the father of modern treasure hunting. As evidenced by this letter, Art McKee was actively salvaging 1715 wrecks years before 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 ... and 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... made history by recovering the treasures of the lost 1715 Fleet. The letter (written on letterhead from McKee’s museum in Plantation Key, Florida) was sent to the attention of Sinclair Wells, a Land Agent for the Internal Improvement Fund which oversaw salvage operations on behalf of the State of Florida. The $106.25 referred to in the letter was the 25% share to be paid to the state.
For more information regarding the cannons referred to in this letter see articles published by Advisory Board member Jorge Proctor on April 18, 2022 (HERE), and May 11, 2022 (HERE), which can be accessed in the News section of this website.
