- Joined
- Aug 19, 2014
- Messages
- 38,983
- Reaction score
- 143,525
- Golden Thread
- 0
- Location
- Tarpon Springs
- Detector(s) used
- JW 8X-ML X2-VP 585
- Primary Interest:
- All Treasure Hunting
- #1
Thread Owner
Tiny Ross Island, in Upper Tampa Bay near St. Petersburg, Florida, holds the secret of a pirate treasure which has been lost since the late 1820s. Only about one mile long, north to south, and one half mile wide, this low lying isle was the site of a pirate colony, a lair for renegades who preyed upon merchant ships in the Tampa Bay area.
Captain Henry Ross, the ruler of the colony, buried a chest of gold there about 1821. More was buried later, but non has ever been recovered to the best of anyones knowledge.
Ross came on the historical scene before the War of 1812, when he served as one of the ship captains operating out of Barataria under Jean LaFitte. During his sea-roving days under LaFitte, he had spotted a small island in Tampa Bay which was ideal for a pirate headquarters. Later named Ross Island, it had a natural lagoon for hiding a pirate ship.
This it was that Captain Henry Ross recruited a band of ex-pirates eager for adventure and the opportunity to line their pockets. Acquiring a small but fast three-masted schooner, with less than a five foot draft, the band set sail about 1817-1818 to establish their colony on the secluded island.
About a dozen shacks were first constructed form old ships timbers found on the beach, and a well was dug. Docking facilities and a stout fort were then erected, along with two storehouses.
Ross did not restrict his illegal operations to mere pirating. Smuggling and slave trade also claimed a goodly share of his attention. New Orleans was naturally the best port for the disposal of smuggled goods, as well as the fencing of stolen plunder. After each transaction, the old pirate returned to his secret island stronghold ad buried his ill-gotten gains.
This easy life went on for many months until so many complains reached the Navy Department in Washington that the Anti-Piracy Squadron of the U. S. Navy stationed at Key West was ordered to take action against these sea marauders.
Ross Apparently did not know that the U. S. Navy was out to destroy him, for he did not curtail his operations. While in the act of looting a merchant ship just outside Egmont Channel, the naval sloop surprised the pirates.
Ross was successful in making a getaway, but the naval sloop followed closely I his wake. Reaching the island, Ross slipped into the safety of the lagoon. The sloop of war was deeper drafted and could not enter.
While Ross thought he was safe, he was not aware that the naval craft was fitted with new long range rifled guns. Approaching the island as closely as safety permitted, the warship zeroed in her powerful guns and sank the pirate craft with several direct hits.
The pirates were terrorized when they saw their ship smashed to splinters, particularly when they spotted a landing party of sailors and marines approaching in long boats. Picking up only a few of their belongings, the pirates and their families escaped into the mangroves. The attackers then proceeded to set fire to the shacks, warehouses, and forts. The captain of the naval sloop later reported that a brief search was made for treasure, but that none was found, as he did not have time for a thorough search. Whatever happened to Captain Ross is still a mystery, but it is fairly certain that the bulk of his treasure was never recovered since that disastrous day in the 1820s.
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Ross is the largest and southernmost of a string of small islands that lie south of the Florida Power complex and east of Weedon's Island in Tampa Bay. It's about a mile long from north to south and a little over 1/2 mile wide from east to west at its widest point. It is crisscrossed by drainage canals dug many years ago in an effort to control mosquito's. A large worn down Indian mound lies on the southern part of the island. While digging the drainage canals some years ago, the drag line operator uncovered several old iron ships cannon and a heavy anchor. These were so heavy that they nearly overturned the light drag line rig before the operator finally got them up on the bank, and It was there that they were covered over with sand and muck being dug from the ditch. Research shows that Ross Island was the headquarters for a pirate gang who kept their shallow-craft schooner in a lagoon on the east side of the island, using a channel which led directly to a deeper ship channel out in Tampa Bay. This particular gang of buccaneer's maintained a lookout in a crow's nest atop a nearby tall pine tree, when a likely looking ship was seen sailing up or down Tampa Bay, a pirate in the crow's nest would blow a horn made from a large conch shell. The crew would then assemble and sally out in pursuit of their victim, usually running them down near Egmont Key.
Captain Henry Ross, the ruler of the colony, buried a chest of gold there about 1821. More was buried later, but non has ever been recovered to the best of anyones knowledge.
Ross came on the historical scene before the War of 1812, when he served as one of the ship captains operating out of Barataria under Jean LaFitte. During his sea-roving days under LaFitte, he had spotted a small island in Tampa Bay which was ideal for a pirate headquarters. Later named Ross Island, it had a natural lagoon for hiding a pirate ship.
This it was that Captain Henry Ross recruited a band of ex-pirates eager for adventure and the opportunity to line their pockets. Acquiring a small but fast three-masted schooner, with less than a five foot draft, the band set sail about 1817-1818 to establish their colony on the secluded island.
About a dozen shacks were first constructed form old ships timbers found on the beach, and a well was dug. Docking facilities and a stout fort were then erected, along with two storehouses.
Ross did not restrict his illegal operations to mere pirating. Smuggling and slave trade also claimed a goodly share of his attention. New Orleans was naturally the best port for the disposal of smuggled goods, as well as the fencing of stolen plunder. After each transaction, the old pirate returned to his secret island stronghold ad buried his ill-gotten gains.
This easy life went on for many months until so many complains reached the Navy Department in Washington that the Anti-Piracy Squadron of the U. S. Navy stationed at Key West was ordered to take action against these sea marauders.
Ross Apparently did not know that the U. S. Navy was out to destroy him, for he did not curtail his operations. While in the act of looting a merchant ship just outside Egmont Channel, the naval sloop surprised the pirates.
Ross was successful in making a getaway, but the naval sloop followed closely I his wake. Reaching the island, Ross slipped into the safety of the lagoon. The sloop of war was deeper drafted and could not enter.
While Ross thought he was safe, he was not aware that the naval craft was fitted with new long range rifled guns. Approaching the island as closely as safety permitted, the warship zeroed in her powerful guns and sank the pirate craft with several direct hits.
The pirates were terrorized when they saw their ship smashed to splinters, particularly when they spotted a landing party of sailors and marines approaching in long boats. Picking up only a few of their belongings, the pirates and their families escaped into the mangroves. The attackers then proceeded to set fire to the shacks, warehouses, and forts. The captain of the naval sloop later reported that a brief search was made for treasure, but that none was found, as he did not have time for a thorough search. Whatever happened to Captain Ross is still a mystery, but it is fairly certain that the bulk of his treasure was never recovered since that disastrous day in the 1820s.
**************------------------------
Ross is the largest and southernmost of a string of small islands that lie south of the Florida Power complex and east of Weedon's Island in Tampa Bay. It's about a mile long from north to south and a little over 1/2 mile wide from east to west at its widest point. It is crisscrossed by drainage canals dug many years ago in an effort to control mosquito's. A large worn down Indian mound lies on the southern part of the island. While digging the drainage canals some years ago, the drag line operator uncovered several old iron ships cannon and a heavy anchor. These were so heavy that they nearly overturned the light drag line rig before the operator finally got them up on the bank, and It was there that they were covered over with sand and muck being dug from the ditch. Research shows that Ross Island was the headquarters for a pirate gang who kept their shallow-craft schooner in a lagoon on the east side of the island, using a channel which led directly to a deeper ship channel out in Tampa Bay. This particular gang of buccaneer's maintained a lookout in a crow's nest atop a nearby tall pine tree, when a likely looking ship was seen sailing up or down Tampa Bay, a pirate in the crow's nest would blow a horn made from a large conch shell. The crew would then assemble and sally out in pursuit of their victim, usually running them down near Egmont Key.
who knows and hence why I have not made a trip out via boat... in other words... I personally have not "tested the waters" so to speak by detecting it.
