Is anyone still looking for Ross's treasure?
Producer Cassie... I read the private msg you sent...
To answer your question whilst on this subject here... I have no further information that I am willing to post.
And what information I do have is... nothing of real substantial value concerning the "known" stories... which vary.
My opinons... and what I know from the blender of information long swallowed by brain cells also "vary"
US Naval records relate that the USS GRAMPUS in 1821, gave chase to Ross's 3mast schooner up Egmont Channel into Tampa Bay,and blew that schooner out of the water.The Grampus then sent a landing party onto Ross Island as the pirate residents fled.The landing party did search the warehouses and recovered some of the looted goods,no chests of gold,silver,or jems were found,then set fire to the warehouses,shacks,fort,and docks.
L Frank Hudson was convicted in the 1990's for unauthorized excavations to find pirate gold and damaging Calusa burial mounds on Ross Island,Gallagher Key,Big Mound Key,and Cockroach Island.Hudson never found any pirate treasure,but is also known for his search with Homer "Buz" Osbon and James Spink for pyramids in the Everglades Big Cypress Swamp and their encounter with Skunk Apes,Florida's bigfoot.
Many of the stories and tales of buried pirate treasure can be traced back to the creation of lore by Adrian P Jordan,editor of the PUNTA GORDA HERALD during the late 1890 to early 1900's.
A friend of mine, Charles Sauders, related stories to me about Hudson's search for Bigfoot, which I believe they referred to as a "skunk ape." Charles Sauders also knew the "beat" writer Jack Kerouac during his final years in St. Petersburg. One of the places they hung out at was the Flamingo Bar - which I believe is still in business. Charles introduced me to Jack's widow, Stella Kerouac; the three of us going together for Easter services at St. Stephanos Church. As for Ross Island, correct me if I'm wrong, but Florida law prohibits using metal detectors in state parks, except coastal ones. Obviously, one is not to disturb sea turtle nests or nesting bird colonies. I know that Ross Island has been "worked over" by treasure hunters over the years. But has anyone checked out where Ross' ship went down?...and revived for you.
Yes, I am. And I'm sure I'm not alone. As much as the island has been picked over, there are undoubtedly spaces that have not yet been scanned. In addition, I wonder if the bottom where Ross' ship was sunk has been throughly investigated.Is anyone still looking for Ross's treasure?
Yes and no.... MOST of Weedon island has been combed pretty well... BUT... the south end and the "bay /lagoon " that is the IMO the final resting place of said ship as far as i know... has not to my knowledge been thoroughly searched... or searched at all for all i know.... several cannon were drag lined out of there and left on the beach... upon return they were gone... still a mystery story told from time to time.Yes, I am. And I'm sure I'm not alone. As much as the island has been picked over, there are undoubtedly spaces that have not yet been scanned. In addition, I wonder if the bottom where Ross' ship was sunk has been throughly investigated.
I live in St Pete, and I'd be more than willing to buddy-up with others to scout out the South end of Ross Island. I have an up to date nautical chart of the area, if someone has a boat.Yes and no.... MOST of Weedon island has been combed pretty well... BUT... the south end and the "bay /lagoon " that is the IMO the final resting place of said ship as far as i know... has not to my knowledge been thoroughly searched... or searched at all for all i know.... several cannon were drag lined out of there and left on the beach... upon return they were gone... still a mystery story told from time to time.