San Miguel Anchor - 1715 Fleet

[Lago]

Does anyone have an idea of the shape and size of the anchor that would have been on the San Miguel in the 1715 fleet? Might have found something worth diving.

 

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[SADS 669]

It's gonna be really big with no chain anywhere near it and probably a very big ring on it too....

 

[ARC]

 

[Lago]

View attachment 1155931

Anyone know how long that anchor design was in use and whether or not it was off of one of the 1715 ships? The anchor I found is nearly identical to that one, stands 5-6 feet tall upright and about 4 feet across. Also has the same spade shaped hooks on the tips although one end is much smaller than the other.

 

[old man]

Does anyone have an idea of the shape and size of the anchor that would have been on the San Miguel in the 1715 fleet? Might have found something worth diving.

Lago, here's a picture of the Spanish anchor that was found in Jupiter from the San Miguel in 1669. It looks closer to the size anchor you are asking about.

 

[Lago]

Lago, here's a picture of the Spanish anchor that was found in Jupiter from the San Miguel in 1669. It looks closer to the size anchor you are asking about.

That anchor looks very similar as well. The limbs on the one I found are a bit longer and the ring for the chain is still intact but the size looks about the same. Assuming that there is actually a wreck on the site and it wasn't just a lost anchor am I looking at something from the late 17th early 18th century?

 

[old man]

Lago, to really have someone give you a better answer. Post a picture of your anchor.

 

[Lago]

I'll see about taking some pictures next time I'm out there. Any suggestions for the best way to search the general area I found it in (boat towed magnetometer/handheld detector/etc)? It's in relatively shallow water.

 

[ARC]

Lago... this depends...
First and foremost on the location...
Your location may be in an area which prohibits such activities...
Due to lease areas or other restrictions.

You should research this carefully before proceeding any further... in my opinion.

There are many members here that can assist this thread further by suggestions and advice...
These things can be very technical...
even though they seem very simple.

There are many "strings" attached to finding things in Florida waters... if in fact that is where you have found this anchor in question...
ALSO... you should be aware... that disturbance AND OR removal is against the law without a "permission" to do so.
There seems to be many of the 1715 fleet recovery crew(s) and or affiliates that frequent this website as well as MANY salvers...
Which can be used for and as a resource(s).

 

[ARC]

Pictures would be fine though... and very interesting.
Would love to see em.

 

[Lago]

@ARRC

I'm just simply looking for now. It isn't inside of any of the lease areas near the cape. I'll have to do some research to see if there are any other restrictions placed on the area but as far as I know there aren't.

Does a permit need to be issued to scan the area with either detectors or a magnetometer without disturbing the bottom? I'd obviously want to make sure that there is actually a wreck there and it isn't just a lone anchor before I commit resources to acquiring a salvage permit. The similarities to the anchors recovered from the 1715 wrecks and the Spanish ship off of Jupiter as well as the general area that I found the anchor in leads me to believe that it could be one of the missing 1715 wrecks though.

 

[ARC]

Listen... I will tell you this much...
IF you in fact have found an anchor that even RESEMBLES the ones I posted pics of...
you have already hit what I would call an incredible find.

This COULD be a "lone" anchor that was deployed to "stop" the ship in a last ditch effort to avoid smashing aground...
This could be a PART of the whole enchilada as well...
First thing is ...
Go back...
Take pics...OR VIDEO....
Scan ENTIRE area... which could extend a football field or more... which will take several dives...
See if you can document anything ELSE... like "piles" ... Formations... other debri etc... ANYTHING... SEARCH
IF you see something else... photo it WELL.... not half arsed either... take good quality photos if poss.

 

[ARC]

First thing... see what else if anything else is there...anything...
Do not dig...
Do not remove...
Just explore.
When you get some more info on it... next step is in order.

Could just be an anchor that was lost for one reason or another.

Once you have "proof" of more... you will have people who have the "pull" to get to the next step... which would be metal mapping that area.

Too bad I wasn't there... one ride and I could tell ya if you were on a wreck or not

 

[SADS 669]

First thing you do is get Archie's email address and converse there in a quiet way, then show us what you find after you find it......

 

[ARC]

One thing at a time.
Go get pictures/video.

I am not "the guy" for your "plight"...
Just a guy who's trying to help.

 

[SADS 669]

Anyone who knows what they are talking about and can be trusted is "the guy for anyone's plight" nice try Archie.....

 

[old man]

Lago, first I would do is find someone you trust with a side scan sonar that knows the East Coast of FL or the west coast. Wherever you found the anchor and then go side scan the area. If you don't know anyone with a Side scan sonar?
I would recommend that you pm either salvor6 or aquanut. And keep off tnet until you know what you have. Both of these guys are trustworthy and know the laws you will need to obey. If you're worried about trusting them? Have them sign a non disclosure.

 

[SADS 669]

Ditto on the trust thing with these two guys. PM Old Man for others you can trust ( who he knows don't want to be mentioned in the open) too....

 

[Lago]

@ARRC

Sounds good, I'll just do some looking for now.

 

[Lago]

@old man

Getting ahold of a side scan to put on the boat won't be an issue. With a wreck that old will anything actually show up on side scan though apart from cannons that haven't sunk into the sand? I'd like to stay away from involving other people until I know what exactly it is that I stumbled across so any equipment that I need to search the area I'll either purchase or borrow.