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M/V Endeavor recovered a historically significant gold ring from one of the shipwrecks of the 1715 fleet.
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June 22, 2011 -- Key West, FL:
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The Treasure Coast, June 22, 2011 -- Team members aboard Blue Water Ventures salvage vessel the M/V Endeavor recovered a historically significant gold ring from one of the shipwrecks of the 1715 fleet today. Working under a contract with Brent Brisben's 1715 Fleet-Queens Jewels, LLC which holds the exclusive state and federal salvage rights to the 1715 fleet wreck sites, Captain John Brandon and first mate Kenton Dickerson were carrying out excavations and recoveries on a wreck site known as the "Sandy Point Wreck." After dusting away the sand and shell overburden in a small pocket on the bottom, a number of ballast stones were revealed. Further investigations of the excavation with a hand held underwater metal detector resulted in the discovery of the gold ring. Also recovered were 21 silver coins, a piece of a bronze sword hilt, several fragments of pewter plate, several musket balls and some encrusted iron objects.
The ring, crafted of high-karat gold, features what is commonly referred to as the "Friendship" motif, which depicts two hands clasped. A number of examples of jewelry with the "Friendship" motif, including both rings and bracelets, have been recovered from the various 1715 fleet wreck sites over the years. Brandon recalls once recovering half of a "Friendship" bracelet that was mounted with several emeralds, the other half having been discovered by another diver at an earlier date.
In the mid 1960's, Sandy Point was the first Spanish galleon wreck site from which the famed late shipwreck salvor Mel Fisher recovered treasure. He recovered 2,000 sand worn silver coins, three Mexico City minted two escudo gold coins, several dozen cannon balls and a bronze ships bell, which unfortunately did not bear a vessel name or inscription. Many historians, archaeologists and historical shipwreck salvors feel there is much left to be found on the Sandy Point wreck, as the major portions of the wreck have eluded discovery since the site was first located in the early 1960's. Blue Water Ventures will continue their explorations of the Sandy Point Wreck during the remaining months of the 2011 summer field season.
For Immediate Release
Contact Carol Tedesco
305-393-6450
bluewaterkw@aol.com
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Photos by John Brandon © Blue Water Productions
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