1715 Spanish Plate Fleet Artifact?

[DanFL1962]

I found this at Bonsteel beach on 2/11/05. It was laying on top of the wet sand, just at the waterline. The link below shows a chinese porcelain plate from Kangxi 17th-18th Century. The symbol on the back of the plate is very similar to the symbol on the piece I found.

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http://yulando.com/detail.php?id=6&num=9

Just wondering if anyone here has found porcelain pieces in the treasure coast area? Is it likely from the 1715 plate fleet? Since I recently became a fulltime resident in Brevard county, I was curious if this type of artifact shows up frequently on area beaches.

Thanks,
Dan

 

[spritch]

They absolutely do find porcelin from the 1715 wrecks. Usually it is a little less white from my understanding but I suggest that you take it to the McLarty museum in Sebastion and ask about it. They were very helpful when I asked about finds including urging me to look for porcelin. You can also compare it to what is in the museum.
Good Luck

 

[DanFL1962]

Yea, since its just 30 min down the road I guess I should stop in . Thanks for the comment.

 

[Hangingfor8]

Looks like the real deal to me, but take it to the experts for the final test. Great find!

 

[mad4wrecks]

That is a beautiful little piece of Kang Hsi.

You should stop by the Mel Fisher center and ask the conservators, Bill or Julie, how to make that into a pendant for a necklace. They do a really good job on the porcelain shards.

Okay Dan, now you have to help unravel the mystery of the ship off Bonsteel...lots of coins and artifacts on the beach but a ballast pile has never been found offshore.

Tom

 

[Hangingfor8]

I doubt they'll find a ballast pile b/c there was so much wieght provided by the cargo

 

[DanFL1962]

Thanks Tom, cool idea. I spoke to a metal detectorist a few years ago about taking it to the Fisher museum and he lead me to believe they snub their noses at beach hunters, and advised me not to do it. Not sure what gave him such a negative opinion but your and the others comments here have convinced me to go ahead to pay Fisher and McClarty a visit.

So no ballast near Bonsteel? As you can see, I am a noob to this site. I doubt I have anything original to offer! LOL I just admire those of you who have dedicated decades to researching and solving some of these mysteries. My head is spinning with the amount of content on TNet!

I have always wondered if the treasures in a Galleons cargo hold was in chests? Didn't the manisfests list inventory by chest number? Iron or wood chests? Some wreckage drifted to Bonsteel area before it sank? Some anomoly on the ocean floor catches shifting debris and spits it out on Bonsteel beach? LOL Thats about it for my imagination.