Treasure hunters strike gold, find gem-studded jewelry off Indian River County
- On 14/05/2008
- In Museum News
- 0 comments
By Henry A. Stephens
Staffers at Mel Fisher's Treasure Museum say they are excited about a Fellsmere treasure diver's "spectacular" find — two pieces of gem-studded gold jewelry.
Capt. Greg Bounds, master of the salvage ship MV Gold Hound and a Fisher subcontractor, found the items on Sunday at the 1715 fleet shipwreck site known as "Corrigans," said museum office manager Nichole Abt, granddaughter of the late Mel Fisher.
She said Bounds and crew members Chaz Francoviglia, Emigeio Gil, and Doug Kaye got ready and got out to sea as quick as they could on Sunday.
It's a good sign, she said, to find gold this early in the summer treasure hunting season.
"There are only 100 workable days at sea, and the season has just started," Abt said. The second piece may be an earring, she added, but said further research is needed.
After Bounds drops off the pieces, Abt said, they will be on display at the museum, 1322 U.S. 1, Sebastian, for the remainder of the summer.
Corrigans, near the Wabasso Beach area, is the location of one of 11 Spanish galleons that sank during a hurricane in July 1715.
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