gold on Santa Rosa Island

[jeff of pa]

 

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[Crow]

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The Santa Rosa Island is a barrier island located in the Gulf of Mexico, just off the coast of Florida. This island is known for its pristine beaches and crystal clear waters, but it’s also the site of one of the most intriguing mysteries in American history – the lost treasure of the Santa Rosa Island.

The story begins in the early 1800s, when a Spanish merchant ship called the San Carlos ran aground on the Santa Rosa Island during a storm. The crew managed to salvage some of the cargo, but the ship eventually sank and the rest of the treasure was lost.

Legend has it that the San Carlos was carrying a fortune in gold, silver, and precious gems, all bound for the Spanish Crown. But despite numerous attempts to find the lost treasure, it has never been recovered.

Over the years, many treasure hunters have searched the Santa Rosa Island in hopes of finding the lost treasure of the San Carlos. Some have even claimed to have found pieces of Spanish gold and silver on the island, but no one has been able to find the main cache of treasure?

There is a connection with the above story with a discovery in 1913..

to be continued.......



Crow

 

[Crow]

in the following newspaper .

West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954), Monday 25 August 1913, page 7 reported a story that went all around the world as far as down under at least.

PIRATE' HOARD IN FLORIDA. ' Peonacola (Florida), Aug. 23. I. buried treasure of some one of the pirates who a century ago haunted the bays and coasts of Florida has been unearthed at Everglade Bayou. Charles Vlllars. a labourer, working for a contractor on the coast there, discovered, sunk in shallow water, an iron chest, which when opened was found to contain Spanish doubloons and other gold coins to the value of £10,000.

It was this discovery that sparked interest in trying to find treasure in the 1930's

Crow

 

[Crow]

A few years ago, a couple discovered a sword in the sand off the coast of Pensacola Beach. Patty Sacco's husband was looking for seashells about 30 yards out in the Gulf when he saw a handle sticking out of the sand.

He pulled on the rusty handle and found that a sword was attached to it. After the thrill of this Sword in the Stone-like discovery, Sacco was left with questions: Where do you even turn in a long-lost sword? What if it's a historical artifact? Can someone appraise it?

“We want to get it looked at and appraised before trying to clean it up, so we don’t break it if it’s an actual historical artifact," Sacco wrote in her Facebook post, which went viral less than 24 hours after she posted the picture of her husband's discovery.

He pulled on the rusty handle and found that a sword was attached to it. After the thrill of this Sword in the Stone-like discovery, Sacco was left with questions: Where do you even turn in a long-lost sword? What if it's a historical artifact? Can someone appraise it?

“We want to get it looked at and appraised before trying to clean it up, so we don’t break it if it’s an actual historical artifact," Sacco wrote in her Facebook post, which went viral less than 24 hours after she posted the picture of her husband's discovery. here is it below.

Crow

 

[Crow]

So yeah much of story can be confirmed coins found in 1906.

The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.), 18 Nov. 1906. reported the story below,

So two lots of coin hoards have been found and a sword. No wonder some one wanted to fig up the beach in the 1930s.

Where the chest was found in 1913 at the bar at the entrance.

Some of your little posts are maybe true?

Crow

 

[Crow]

What is interesting to note.

1n 1788, the total population of Pensacola was 265 persons. A total of 77 Spaniards and rest was slaves. referenced from William S. Coker & G. Douglas Inglis. The Spanish Censuses of Pensacola, 1784-1820. Perdido Bay Press, 1980.

There was in 1888 another discovery of coins in the centre of Pensacola itself. in the following news paper.

Humboldt Times, Volume XXIX, Number 76, 31 March 1888 reported the following.

While some workmen were digging in a street at Pensacola, Fla., they threw up some; human bones, an old dirk and two Spanish; coins dated 1770 and 1778. The remains and believed to be these of some of the early Spaniards.

The date range of coins are similar to the other discovery of coins. It should be noted the treasure discoveries are not linked to 1559 failed attempt by the Spanish to colonies Pensacola. 7 out of 11 ships was sunk inside the harbor during the storm.

Archeologist Mike Thomin. claims in 1811 a french pirate ship was chased by American gunboat. See below.

La Franchise was run aground on Pensacola beach and burned. A the pirate fled. Perhaps that by flee pirates traded with the small Spanish settlement of Pensacola at the time.

Some treasure was lost on the scuttled vessel and remainder buried or taking away by surviving pirates. The money was late 18th century that could been plundered by piratical acts by the French vessel on Spanish Shipping in the gulf.

Between 1808 and 1814, the British Army fought a war in the Iberian Peninsula ( Spain ) against the invading forces of Napoleon's France. Aided by their Spanish and Portuguese allies, the British held off superior French numbers before winning a series of victories and driving them out.

1n 1811 France was at war with Spain so letters of Marque was issued for french vessels to attack and plunder Spanish vessels.

But the line between privateer and pirate was a fine one. So with increased piracy activity after 1800. United states navy started piracy patrols and privateers was straying into out right piracy. 1811 was also the time when much of south American, Mexico etc rose up seeking independence.

So the source of these coins was most likely from this scuttled privateer.

Crow

 

[Crow]

Its not a hundred percent sure that some of these discoveries are linked Given the history of Pensacola. If I was local I would be hitting beaches after big storms to see if you can find coin spills along the shoreline. Especially near the entrance.

A perfect one for week end detectorist.

Crow