I have always been interested in the history of "place" .....as we travel, I like to delve deeper into the whys of place names. We are staying in an area known as the Treasure Coast. If you look at the map of Florida's east coast, you will notice the multitude of barrier islands. These islands do protect the main coast during storms and form protected waters for birds, fish and other water creatures. Offshore though, it's a different story, especially for boats. There are many unseen sandbars and reefs. Locals are familiar with the whereabouts of these hazards and know that these obstructions shift with the seasons. And so it was during late July, 1715. King Philip the Fifth of Spain was having financial problems. As all countries that suffer financial setbacks after years of war, King Philip's coffers were severely depleted. Spain had been at war with England and the Dutch for many years. In addition he had recently married the Duchess of Parma, Italy....alliances must be had. If the marriage was to be consummated......King Philip must provide an enormous dowery of gold and jewels. In other words, she didn't just want a little raised ranch in the suburbs. King Philip sent a fleet of ships to Havanna to pick up a collection of gold,rubies,emeralds,diamonds,silver, spices,and fine porcelains from China. Two ships alone were reported to carry 14 million gold coins. The 11 galleons set sail up the coast of Florida. Then they would sail east for Burmuda and the Canary Islands and finally, Spain. As they approached this area near Sebastian Inlet, the winds picked up to 30 knots and the seas rose to 20 ft. That night the full force of a hurricane hit them.
All 11 ships ran aground in various locations along the sandbars and reefs from Sebastian Inlet south toward Fort Pierce. Of the 2400 men, women and children aboard the ships, 1200 managed to reach the shore. The officers immediately began an attempt to salvage the treasures aboard the various ships. Meanwhile the survivors set up shelters To begin the task of finding food and fresh water. Remember, many of the survivors were wealthy nobles and their families. This work of fending for themselves must have been extremely difficult. Word of the wrecks traveled quickly....well not as quickly as a cell phone call. A rescue party was sent out from St. Augustine. This group was charged With providing food, water and protection while the salvaging of the treasure continued. Indeed the group was attacked by English pirates a few months later. Some treasure was stolen but most was saved from the pirates. The Spanish abandoned their salvage operationrvi by 1718. Modern day, professional treasure seekers have been salvaging bits and pieces of the " Queens's Dowery" ever since. John and I visited the very site where the survivors set up camp. There is a very interesting little Florida State Park Museum with a lovely collection of salvaged objects and interactive exhibits. Here are just a few examples of the treasures salvaged from those ill fated galleons. So, one has to wonder...did King Philip produce any heirs? I'll have to do a little research.....
This is what the Treasure Coast looks like today.
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