| We have Pirate Treasure on our beaches!! | |
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1715 Fleet Shipwreck Treasure Map Regular people are finding shipwreck coins on our local beaches by using an inexpensive metal detector. I'm talking about real pirate treasure from pirate shipwrecks. Right here on the beach. When I first moved to this area, I heard the rumors. People kept this very quiet, but something like this just can't be kept secret for very long. This pirate shipwreck treasure was coming from ancient Spanish treasure shipwrecks sunk along our coast during a hurricane in 1715. Local people have taken advantage of these pirate treasure shipwrecks, and carried home doubloons, old Spanish coins, shipwreck jewelry, cob coins, Pillar Dollars, Spanish gold coins, gold and silver from these beaches and it would seem that not a lot of folks are aware of this. So, I thought I would help this situation along. Since we've lived in this part of the country for many years now, and since sailing, pirates and the Spanish Main are somewhat synergistic, I thought that a pirate shipwreck treasure page was appropriate as who wouldn't like to find some valuable shipwreck coins on a Florida treasure beach? Imagine a treasure hunt that doesn't require a dive boat, and the only equipment necessary is a metal detector!I'm a sailor, not a treasure hunter, but living here for 20 years I've had friends who were. The information presented here was gathered by those who 'know' and is very real. I'm publishing exact directions to every treasure beach I'm aware of in central Florida. I know it's not Pirate Treasure, but hey, a treasure beach is a treasure beach ...right? Hunting for tropical treasure can add a little excitement to life and who can say if there's a pirate treasure chest waiting to be found? Besides, if you're taking the kids to Disney or Universal, this would make a great day trip (roughly 1 1/2 hours by car), and who knows, you could get rich. Why not? I've heard a lot weirder get rich schemes and they were smoke and mirrors, this is real. Besides, metal detectors are fun for the whole family, as you never know what you'll discover. (think 'pieces of eight') Usually more gold, coins and silver are found after a local storm, as the sea is agitated, the sea bottom stirred up, and treasure is washed onto the beach. A patient person with a metal detector can have a very profitable day if conditions are right, as treasure will lie just under the sandy surface of the beach.
These directions begin from a city in east central Florida roughly even with and some 60 miles from Orlando, FL. The city is Melbourne, FL. Melbourne is a vibrant, coastal town separated from the 
Atlantic Ocean by a barrier island which runs along the coast some
70 miles and is connected to the mainland by several causeways.
This barrier island is where the shipwrecks occurred and where 1715
Fleet artifacts are found. The lagoon formed between the city and
the island is a part of the USA east coast intracoastal waterway,
and is where I do most of my sailing. Before we get started, this is important.. if you are one of the lucky ones, keep it to yourself. These days the Spanish Government is suing anyone who finds anything that looks like it might be from an ancient Spanish ship as they are claiming it as Spanish Government property. Believe it or not, there is more recent news on this as the Country of Peru has also chimed in saying that most of these ancient Spanish coins were minted in Peru and therefore... you guessed it ... the coins belong to them, not Spain. I'm posting this because as of today (January 2012) neither the Spanish claim or the Peru claim has been upheld in US courts, and therefore I'm confident that I'm not advising anyone to break the law. This could change, as it's now up to US courts to decide the matter. We all know this could take years. In the meantime there's absolutely no need for you to become one of their test cases on Admiralty Law. I'm not an attorney but in my humble opinion, if you treasure hunt with a metal detector and find gold on these beaches there is a precedent in "finders keepers ... losers weepers, " section of US Law regardless of who's shipwreck was responsible for littering our beaches with their gold. |
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| First, some brief History | (or why we are all reading this) |
Every year, two fleets traveled between Spain and the Americas; the Esquadron de Terra Firme from Spain to South America, and the Flota d e Nova Espana toward Vera Cruz. Sometimes, these two fleets would travel together all the way to the Caribbean. The return voyage was more dangerous. The galleons were fully loaded with precious cargoes of gold, silver, jewelry, tobacco, spices, indigo, cochineal etc… The crews were tired and often plagued by health problems brought on by tropical diseases, malnutrition, and deplorable hygienic conditions on board. These conditions made ships even more vulnerable to attacks by pirates, but the greatest danger came from an uncontrollable element; the weather. The general weather conditions were more favorable during the summer 
months. The waters of the Atlantic Ocean were calmer, and the prevailing
winds gentler. However, in 1715 the fleet left later than usual
and were caught by a hurricane off the coast of central Florida.
The entire fleet was lost on the reefs off the coast of Florida.
Six of the 11 shipwreck sites have been discovered, the other 5
shipwrecks remain to be found with only a general idea as to their
location. The consensus is that they should be found between Cape
Canaveral ( US space center) to the north and Fort Pierce to the
south. The Melbourne area is roughly in the center of this general
area and many artifacts have been found washed up on our local beaches.
We can only surmise that these undiscovered shipwrecks are located
right here.Now before I give you the directions to our lost treasure, there's one more important brief comment for anyone who hasn't visited our beaches. Florida beaches are continuous (obviously). On some stretches, it's possible to walk for miles without encountering anyone. Brevard county has 70 miles of coastline. The following areas are places in Brevard and Indian River counties where people have found lost treasure which has washed ashore from these shipwrecks year after year, just by walking the beach. Many of these areas are sparsely populated. For the most part, there are no concession stands and restaurants are few and far in between. Look for Bait and Tackle shops as they're your best bet for refreshments (and frozen Margaritas!!). It's probably best that you pack a lunch and bring something to drink, and don't forget to bring a hat and the most protective sunscreen you can find!! (we're talking SPF 70 here). Don't forget spare batteries for the metal detector. Also note that gas stations are spaced 5 to 10 miles apart on A1A. Lastly, if you do hit the jackpot, please remember to take care of the guy who gave you the directions to these sites !! (Me). It would be greatly appreciated. While you're here, this is a link to other Family activities that won't break the bank
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| Directions | to a treasure beach |
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Aquarina Beach From Melbourne, FL take Route 192 east across the intracoastal waterway causeway, and stay on it right to the end. Take a right on Route A1A and drive south along the coast on A1A about 10.8 miles until you see the Aquarina Complex on the ocean side. It is difficult to park in this area as it borders private property. Pay close attention to roadway signs to avoid ticketing or towing. When you do get to the beach, look just to the north and in front of the complex. Using a metal detector, this beach produces 1715 silver coins. To date no shipwreck materials have been found offshore.BONSTEEL PARK The next treasure beach is 3 miles south to the Old Chuck's Steak House.. It is located on the ocean side of A1A. Immediately after you pass it, prepare to make a left turn into "Bonsteel Park." (This is about 14 miles south of the junction of US 192 and A1A or 2.4 miles north of Sebastian Inlet). Park your vehicle here and walk north and in front of the restaurant and to the north & south. This is another 1715 coin beach.Sebastian Inlet State Recreation Area The state park is clearly marked and is approximately 2 1/2 miles south of Bonsteel Park. Hunt the beach south of the jetty, you may find coins here from the Cabin Wreck, which is the next site to the south.Cabin Wreck About 0.8 miles south of the inlet, you'll see a DAY USE BEACH ACCESS park. Walk south 1.5 miles to get to the North Cabin Wreck area. Here you can find coins and artifacts from the Nuestra Senora de la Regla of 1715. The best hunting starts at the McLarty rock pile and to the south. Your metal detector should find them within 10 inches of the surface.McLarty Visitor Center This state museum features a display of artifacts and treasures found over the years on the 1715 fleet. Admission is $1.00 and well worth the price. They show a 30 minute video that features several well known treasure hunters, among them Mel Fisher.Continue past McLarty about 0.9 miles for beach access marked as AMBERSAND BEACH ACCESS. Park and walk over the boardwalk to the treasure beach. The best spot to hunt is about 1200 feet to the north and north of the McLarty Rockpile. This is the site believed to be of the Nuestra Senora de La Regla, one of the 1715 galleon wrecks. Silver and Spanish gold coins are found on the beach. Cannon Wreck Continue south from Ambersand Beach another 2 miles to TREASURE SHORES BEACH PARK. Here is a mix of late 1715 and 1800's materials. One wreck, a suspected British pirate ship caught and sank by the Spanish, raiding the 1715 shipwreck. Here you your metal detector should go off the scale as people find 1715 material, as well as slag iron reputed to be from a circa 1890 merchant ship.Spring of Whitby & Robert Continuing south on A1A another 1.3 miles, you'll see the entrance to GOLDEN SANDS PARK on the ocean side. Cross the boardwalk to the beach. You'll see beach markers to the north and south. The wrecks of the Robert & the Spring of Whitbey are located here. Both wrecks are from 1810. This beach produces Spanish "Pillar Dollars" from the early 19th century.Green Cabin Wreck SAN MARTIN 1618 - Continue south on A1A for 1.5 miles until you reach the intersection of A1A and State Road 510. Here you'll see the WABASSO BEACH (named after the Ossadaw Indians). This beach produces 1715 and 1618 coins. The best area is to the south approximately 5,000 feet where material from the 1618 shipwreck SAN MARTIN lay offshore.Corrigan's Wreck Believed to be where the SANTO CRISTO DE SAN ROMAN (1715) went down. There are 2 sites, first go down A1A another 1.6 miles from Wabasso Beach to SEAGRAPE BEACH ACCESS, or a little farther south (0.8 miles) to TURTLE BEACH ACCESS. This is the site of one of the 1715 galleons. The scatter from this particular wreck covers a large area. Many Spanish gold coins and silver coins, as well as Spanish artifacts have been found on the beaches after storms.RIO MAR Wreck Continue 8.5 miles south from TURTLE BEACH to where it is believed the NUESTRA SENORA DEL CARMEN (1715) went down. Be careful, you'll be travelling through the beach residential area of Vero Beach. Look for Rio Mar Drive and turn left. Park at the end of the street and cross the boardwalk unto the beach.This is another 1715 shipwreck that produces coins and other artifacts. If you see a white boat anchored offshore, wave to Kane Fisher, who found the Atocha along with his dad, the famous Mel Fisher. Wedge Wreck Continue south 11.8 miles toward Ft. Pierce and look for PEPPER PARK BEACH on the ocean side.Here you will find 1715 coins. The area to the north in front of the pink condos has been a productive spot. The wreck offshore has been designated a State Underwater Park. Douglas Beach, Gold Wreck This is believed to be site of the NUESTRA SENORA DE LAS NIEVES (1715). There are 2 sites associated with this wreck. You'll have to detour from A1A unto US 1 to cross the inlet at Ft. Pierce. Follow the signs and get back to A1A ocean side. Approximately 2.5 miles south of the Ft. Pierce Inlet you'll find JOHN BROOKS PARK/GREEN TURTLE BEACH, this is the northern most site, continue south 0.3 miles and you'll be at FREDERICH DOUGLAS MEMORIAL BEACH. Between these two sites you'll find Spanish gold coins and silver coins as well as other 1715 Spanish artifacts.NORTH POWER PLANT Just south of Douglas Beach, is MIDDLE COVE PARK, an area where coins from the mid sixteen hundreds are found on the beach.Well, that's it for the treasure beach Page. All these sites are very real and remember, it may be illegal to hunt artifacts on them so use this information at your own risk. |
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