Hello,
I am new on this forum - to be exact from tonight. I am pleasantly surprised with this forum, really. I would like to follow so I think that it would be nice to introduce myself a little. I am not a youngster, (although I feel often myself like that...) I am 50 years old, underwater archaeologist, professional diver, historian and underwater treasure hunter. I have been living in Dominican Republic for many years now, diving on wreck sites, running small diving company and writing historical treasure books. I mean books with no fiction, just facts about sunken treasures. Of course, I use the myths and legends but I compare these legends with reality, interview with local fishermen, datas obtained from Archiv in Sevilla or from historical archives, and so on. Last year I published here in Santo Domingo the book "Hidden and Sunken Treasures in Dominican republic". It had greater impact that I expected and I was asked to do second, more detailed edition, which I did. It will be in book shops and museum before the end of this year and next year we think to publish it in English. My hobby has been converted to my job many years ago and I am happy. So, if you would like to know something from the field regarding treasure shipwrecks on northern coats of Dominican republic, I can give you some hints.
For example, the area of Montecristi (close to the northern border with Haiti) is full of sunken ships, especially Seven Brothers area. There are seven small tiny bare sand islands couple of miles from the shore there. Cristal clear very shallow water, but currents and sometimes big fish. Generally nothing for beginners. There are over 190 shipwrecks, only in his small piece of ocean. There are still under search some historical treasure wrecks site there, like for example "La Viette", French ship which went down very close to the shore in 1801 with 50,000 pieces of gold Napoleon rare coins as a delayed payments to French garrisson over there. There are also lost 1563 fleet which consisted from galleons Santa Catalina, San Jose y Santa Maria de Guadaloupe. Gold jewelry and 300.000 pieces of eight were lost there. The same happen to five Spanish galleons in this area in 1576. This time the fleet was loaded with treasures from Maya and Inca Empire and there are still waiting somewhere over there. But bad news, guys.... The US based company North Caribbean Research has got their renewed five year contract with DR government for the whole area so nobody can go treasure diving there. And the guys from this company are sharp and a little jeleaous about their rights..... What you can do is pay about 2,500 USD, take your own diving equipment and go diving with them for guided treasure hunting work for 14 days. It is up to you.... I prefer to go somewhere else and alone or with my friends....
And there are still spots in Dominican Republic with treasure wrecks to be discovered, believe me!!
Any information you would need and which I would know, just send me email to
bluewaterstesoro@yahoo.com and I will answer you with pleasure.
Good hunting!
Regards to all,
Lobo