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 the wreck sites of the 1715 Fleet, Fisher ran a dive shop in California. In 1962 he was visited by 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... who was one of the original members of 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.... In his Book “Pieces of Eight”, 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 ... tells the story of how Fisher got connected with 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... which led to Fisher’s salvaging activities on the 1715 Fleet. Wagner relates how 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... would visit the West Coast frequently on missile business for the Air Force ( NOTE: 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... worked as an ordinance engineer at the Air Force Missile Test Range at Cape Canaveral). As a diver himself, Lou would visit skin-diving shops to check on new equipment lines. So, one day he stumbles into Mel Fisher’s shop. At that time Fisher was somewhat of an underwater celebrity being well-known for his subaquatic adventures. He was also known in the treasure hunting community although he was not involved at that time with the 1715 Fleet. A conversation ensued and Lou told him of what 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... was finding. Fisher thought that they were on to something. Lou suggested that he contact 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 ... when he was in Florida.
Fisher did visit 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 was very impressed with the collection of coins Wagner showed him. In March 1963 Fisher visited Wagner again. He had sold his dive shop, gathered a team of divers, and moved to Florida. Eventually, an arrangement was worked out with 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..., and Fisher and his team joined forces with the Real Eight. The idea was that Fisher and his team would work one year without pay. They would provide their own equipment and pay their own way. In return for diving on Real Eight’s lease sites, they would split everything they found with Real Eight 50-50. Anything that Real Eight found would belong to Real Eight and not be subject to a split. If they hadn’t done any good within that one-year period they would call it quits.
On May 24, 1964, with their one-year time period running out, Fisher and his crew found 1,033 gold coins at the Douglas Beach wreck site near Fort Pierce. After that, Fisher and his team continued to work the wreck sites of the 1715 Fleet before moving on to one of the greatest shipwreck recoveries of all time…the Atocha.
The little booklet that was part of “Mel’s Aqua Shop” is all that remains of Mel Fisher’s time in California before he gained worldwide recognition. At the time it was published I am sure that Fisher was not aware of the fame and fortune that awaited him. Of course, there were many legal battles that he had to overcome but that is another story for another time.
(NOTE: The contents of the booklet referenced above were most interesting. Here are a couple of pages for all of you divers out there.)
