Treasure Hunters’ Gold Find

Image source: http://www.theguardian.com

Treasure hunting at sea is not just something pirates did far far away and long long ago.  The practice is still alive and well and usually highly organised, professional and supported with highly technical equipment and ships.  In fact, it is quite a complex and gruelling industry that is based on research, strategy and hard work rather than sheer luck.

This week the Schmitts, a treasure hunting family from Florida, discovered $1 million worth of gold within the wreckage of a sunken ship, from a 1715 Spanish fleet that sank in the Atlantic.  The haul includes a rare coin called a Royal, made for Spain’s King Phillip V and dated 1715. Only a few royals were known to exist and the currency itself is thought to be worth $500,000.  A 40ft. Gold chain was also amongst the treasure.

The treasure is the reward after months of combing the sea bed from the family’s treasure-hunting vessel the Aarrr Booty.  According to Florida’s Federal State Law, 20% of the findings will have to be handed over to the state and the remainder will be split between the Schmitt family and 1715 Fleet – Queens Jewels LLC, the company that owns the rights to the wreckage.

This is an inspiring story and great to hear that such a persevering family found a pot of gold at the end of their search.  We would quite like to go treasure hunting ourselves at the bottom of the sea this is difficult to do from London so in the meantime, we will content ourselves and many others with our Midas touch!