Re: copper nails February 22, 2003 at 04:48:04 In Reply to: copper nails posted by martin on February 21, 2003 at 12:59:09

martin, I hope this helps. lead sheathing was tried on english ships around 1695. they covered the bottoms on 20 of there naval ships. but there were problems. copper nails was used starting around 1700. copper sheathing was tried somewhere around 1750. pirates used this area for rest camps. there were several settlements. the spanish and english were both their. here is some stuff you may be able to use. good luck, boomer. BURIED TREASURE ? On the main coast of Belize, there is a rocky promontory named Little Rocky Point. In the 60's a Chilean came to Ambergris Caye and purchased a large tract of beach front property north of Tres Cocos (now the Peter Handcock property). Despite his land holdings on Ambergris Caye, his attentions seemed to be focused on Little Rocky Point on the mainland. He hired quite a few residents of San Pedro to help with excavations in the Little Rocky Point area. One day all of the workers were laid off and apparently then the Chilean went back to Little Rocky Point. He then returned to Ambergris Caye, and about the time a Mexican gunboat appeared off the Caye. Both gunboat and the Chilean left the island. Speculation has it that the Chilean had a treasure map of some kind, and may have recovered a substantial treasure that he spirited elsewhere. on the beach in the Tackle Box Bar area, immediately south of the main park, several U.S. gold coins dating 1880 to 1900 were found. These were usually found after severe storm surges. Local folklore says that there was a wealthy old man who used to bathe there by pouring the gold coins over himself like water. LIST OF SHIPWRECKS 1749 A hurricane of Sept. 18:at least 20 English merchantmen were totally lost on coast and off cayes and reefs. 1751 English merchantman, the "Monmouth", Capt. Wydham, on his way to London, wrecked on Glovers Key: crew was saved. 1751 Two Rhode Island sloops and a Jamaican snow lost on the north keys (Lighthouse Reef 1764 English merchantman, "Mary Oxford", coming from Jamaica lost on Turneffe Island. 1774 Two ships wrecked on Glover's Reef: English merchantman, "Argyle", Capt. Fisher, about 5 leagues (a league is about 3 nautical miles) from the southwestern end of the reef: the American ship "Polly", Capt Waid, going to New York, on the Northeastern end of the reef, crews and part of cargo saved. 1780 The English ship "Live Oak", sailing to Jamaica, wrecked on the coast at Black River (Sittee River), crew was saved. 1786 English merchantman, "Assisstance", Capt Galt, coming from Jamaica, lost crossing the bar at Black River 1786 Unidentified Scottish ship, Capt Carr, wrecked on Glovers reef, the crew saved. 1787 On Sept. 2, (a hurricane), 30 plus English merchantmen were on coast and off-lying areas; 15 were lost in the port of Belize. The only ship identified by name was the "HMS Triumvirate" lost at St. George's Caye which was carrying a large amount of silver specie. The large ballast pile off St George's Caye may be from this ship. 1793 English gunship, "HMS Advice", with 4 cannon, Capt Edward Tyrell, lost to leeward of Rey Bokell (southern tip of the Turneffe Atoll), her crew saved. 1793 English merchantman "Chance", Capt. Reed, coming from Jamaica, wrecked on Glover's Reef. 1803 English merchantman "Fishburn", Capt Leake, sailing to London lost on a reef near Belize, Feb. 19. 1804 A ship of unknown registry, "Mentor", Capt. Simpson, coming from Jamaica, lost on "the main reef" near Belize, part of cargo saved. 1807 English ship "General Don", Capt Messeroy, coming from France lost on Glovers Reef. 1808 English merchantmen, "Perseverance", Capt. M'Nutt, coming from Jamaica, lost near Belize on Dec. 20, but the crew was saved. 1814 Ship of unknown registry, "Pompey", Capt Cowlan wrecked on "the main reef", March 31, cargo of wine saved. 1815 Scottish merchantman, "Lord Blandtyre", Capt M'Lea, coming from Jamaica, wrecked in August on the "Southern Four Keys" (Lighthouse Reef). 1818 American ship, "Enterprise", Capt Wayne, sailing from the Bahamas to New Orleans, lost on March 9, near Belize, the crew saved. 1818 English merchantman, "John Winslow", Capt Hodges, coming from Liverpool, lost July 26 on the "main reef", cargo and crew saved. 1819 English merchantman, "Vestol", Capt Hutchinson sailing to London wrecked on Corker Key (Caye Caulker), in August, crew and part of cargo saved. See wreck list. One of the two wrecks described off Caye Caulker-Caye Chapel may be from this vessel. 1821 English merchantman, "Barrrosa", Capt. Anderson, coming from London totally lost on Nov. 8 on the "Southern Fourth Reef" (Lighthouse Reef), crew and most of cargo saved. 1822 American ship "Phoebe Ann" sailing to New York wrecked near Belize about April 11. Chinchorro Wrecks, (The Triangles, immediately north of Belize and included here due to their proximity) 1769 An English merchantman, "Liberty", Capt. Beard, coming from Jamaica, wrecked on the southern end of Chinchorro Reef, but her crew was saved. 1771 American ship, "Andrew", Capt. Passgrove, sailing from Honduras to Philadelphia, wrecked Oct 22. 1773 American merchantman, "Industry", Capt. Glenn, sailing from Honduras, with a cargo of-indigo (logwood) and mahogany. 1776 An Irish merchantman, "Hercules", Capt. Norwood, sailing from Honduras to Dublin. 1821 French ship, "Ceres", Capt. Mourant coming from France was wrecked on July 18, only the crew saved. The following information is taken from Potter's Treasure Diving Guide. 1792 English ship, "Water Witch", lost offshore Ambergris Caye carrying $1,200,000 in specie. 1785 Spanish galleon lost on the northeastern tip of Turneffe carrying $800,000 in specie (unverified reports indicate the remains of an old ship in this area).