A family of intrepid underwater treasure hunters has once again made waves off the coast of Florida, unearthing a trove of precious artifacts valued at over $1 million from the wreckage of a 1715 Spanish fleet that sank in the Atlantic.
Precious: A rare ‘Tricentennial Royal’ gold coin found in June in the wreckage of a 1715 Spanish fleet that sunk in the Atlantic off the Florida coast
Eric Schmitt, 27, spearheaded the latest expedition, scouring the ocean floor alongside his relatives aboard their salvage vessel, the Aarrr Booty. Their remarkable find, which they hauled from the depths near Fort Pierce in June, includes 51 gold coins spanning various denominations and 40 feet of intricately designed gold chain.
Brent Brisben, the proprietor of 1715 Fleet – Queens Jewels LLC, the company that owns rights to the wreckage, strategically timed the announcement to coincide with the 300th anniversary of the tragic sinking of 11 of 12 galleons battered by a hurricane en route from Havana to Spain.
Gold fever: The find included 51 gold coins of various denominations, and 40 feet of ornate gold chain
The maritime disaster, which occurred on July 31, 1715, claimed the lives of an estimated 1,000 individuals. Led by Capitan-General Don Juan Esteban de Ubilla, the convoy, including the flagship Capitana, was laden with treasures totaling 3.5 million pesos in gold and jewelry, including possessions belonging to the Queen of Spain.
Eric Schmitt’s discovery, made in waters just 15 feet deep, adds to the ongoing saga of recovering riches from this historic wreck. The manifests of the Spanish convoy suggest that the ships carried cargo now valued at approximately $400 million, with $175 million already salvaged.
Eric Schmitt, second from left, at a press conference in Sebastian, Florida on Tuesday. Lindsay Schmitt, his wife, stands at left and Brent Brisben, the owner of 1715 Fleet – Queens Jewels stands at right. Sister Hillary Schmitt, is second from right
The Schmitts, operating under subcontract agreements, are among the select few granted access to explore the submerged riches. Their most recent find follows a series of successful ventures, including the recovery of a 300-year-old gold filigree necklace called Pyx and a 300-year-old Mexican silver platter.
Lucky strike: Diver Eric Schmitt (left) is pictured coming up to the surface after recovering a sunken gold coin from the lost 1715 fleet off Fort Pierce, Florida
Highlighting the significance of their latest haul, Eric Schmitt uncovered a rare ‘tricentennial royal’ gold coin, one of only a handful known to exist, specially crafted for Spain’s King Phillip V and dated 1715. Additionally, the recovered gold chains, fashioned as intricate six-petaled olive blossoms, provide insight into historical currency practices.
Under Florida law, the state is entitled to claim up to 20 percent of the discovery for museum display, with the remainder shared between Brisben’s company and the Schmitt family. Despite the element of chance in treasure hunting, Eric Schmitt attributes their repeated success to diligent effort rather than mere luck.
Family business: Eric Schmitt (right) – along with with his sister Hillary (left), father Rick (center) and other family members runs a diving salvage company named Booty Salvage
The Schmitts’ dedication to their craft spans generations, with Rick Schmitt, Eric’s father, initiating the family’s diving salvage enterprise after a career spanning back to the 1960s. Their persistence and expertise continue to unveil hidden treasures, enriching both maritime history and their own legacy.
Past successes: Last July, Eric Schmitt recovered the missing piece of a 300-year-old gold filigree necklace called Pyx, and in 2002 the young diver came upon a 300-year-old Mexican silver platter
As Eric Schmitt aptly stated to CBS News, “The more we do this, the bigger the finds we make, so I kind of less believe in luck and more believe in our hard work.”
Indeed, their latest discovery underscores the enduring allure of the sea’s mysteries and the timeless allure of lost treasures waiting to be rediscovered beneath the waves.