Hey Balckbeard at least you got 25 cents! It could have been a flattened bottle cap.... But the thrill of the find at that age probably kept you going and instilled that dream of finding more treasure..... Priceless in its own way...

Yes aint that the truth

1K for Sublease is not bad at all. I spend that at Atlantic City NJ at the Casinos and get nothing in return.
I was wondering if anybody knows before I email the lease company on how big the site you get the time you have with the lease and how much do they get in return of finds.

If it is like the old sub-lease, you get to work any of the 1715 leases. However, there are some parts that you will have to stay clear of. For example, Bonnie got exclusive search rights to the aria where she found the Gold Bird last season. This is to give her the opportunity to find the missing wing off of her bird.
The split was also 50/50 after the state of Florida takes there 20%.
I will see if I can get one of the current sub-contractors to come on-line and explain the most up to date information.

Blackbeard, The lease term is for a season/year The State of FL takes 20% the remaining 80% is split 50/50 with the wreck/lease owner Queen's Jewels LLC.

Of all their wreck sites you get to pick an area 300ft x 300ft that becomes your exclusive area to work.

haha Tom must have been typing at the same time.

Yes while you will get your exclusive so do the other salvors, so you might not get the prime spot you wanted. Early sub-C signing has its advantages as does being a repeat salvor.

I have to talk with my old partner to find out the particulars but I was told there might be a partner's share in an operation for sale for next season....

Tom and AU thank you very much for the information. Me and my buddy are talking about trying this.

That would be an awesome vacation to work a site Blackbeard. I wish you and your buddy luck if you can accomplish it. Do you have a boat and the additional gear you may need or will you have to rent that stuff as well? Could be a costly gamble but if you can afford it... what an adventure! Keep us informed!

I emailed the company for details and still have not heard anything. Mel Fishers people emailed me on the emerald tour. You have to be a investor to get in.

yea, I think its about 60K a share to become an investor with the Fisher operation in key West. But I understand that they sell some fractional shares.

Yeah I think 10K is minimum 60K is way out of my league for that. Its a shame how the small guy gets beat.

Wreck Diver Can I use your summary of the Fleet Galleons lost and found, plus locations, that you posted three months ago? Can you incorporate this into a short article for the 1715 Fleet Society website? If so, I would need your name, etc., so that proper credit is given. Think about it. Best Regards, I remain.....1715 man

Sure thing 1715man, Tommy Vawter

Having lived in the Sebastian area for most of the last 6 years (with detours to Gloucester, VA and then Kansas to take care of aging parents) I have heard a lot of stories about people other than those authorized that had salvaged or otherwise obtained significant amounts of high-density soft metals. Someday someone needs to collect those stories, change the names to protect the not-so-innocent and publish them. The Little Hollywood Marina is a great place to hear a yarn or two and have a great grouper sandwich, but you may have to buy a considerable amount of beer.

BTW...RIP Pete Harris. If you are stuck up North and need a way to get that Sebastian vibe back in your head, buy some of Pete's music at Pete Harris' Music. He was the keeper of the "No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problem" attitude for a good many of us. All proceeds go to his surviving family.
Happy hunting.

Hi Folks. 1715 man here. As you know, I operate a website....1715 Fleet Society.com. This site is dedicated to commemorating the 300th Anniversary of the 1715 Fleet Disaster on July 31, 2015. Just wanted to give everyone a heads up on a new posting that will be coming up this week. I have a document that will be added the the "Archives" link of the website(sub heading "Documents"). It is the original "second" contract between the Real Eight Company and three fellows named Don Nieman, Bruce Ward and Frank Allen. The contract called for the Real Eight Company to search a special location where Nieman and Ward had found some gold coins. It is referred to as the "second" contract because the first agreement (prepared the same day) neglected to mention where the actual treasure site was located. So, they quickly drew up another agreement (the "second" agreement) with the required information. Under the terms of this contract the Real Eight Company was to salvage a shipwreck now known as the Nieves. This was the "working copy" original of that agreement. As a result of this contract the Real Eight Company sublet the site to a friend from California.....Mel Fisher! And, as they say, the rest is history. On May 24. 1964, Fisher and his crew brought up 1,033 gold coins. From that point on he stayed in Florida and went on to even bigger and better things. Anyway, this document, and the story behind it (as told by Don Nieman) will be appearing later this week. Let me know what you think. Best Regards, I remain.......1715 man

CAN"T WAIT!! woot!

Looks like I've missed a few updates.

WoW that's some awesome stuff. It's that kind of stuff that got me into treasure hunting!

I love the "old" press clippings, magazine covers and stories.

Keep up the good work!

AuDreamers. The new posting that I referred to in my last message is complete. Take a look at it. Hope you find it interesting. I remain......1715 man

AuDreamers, if you haven't checked this out yet you had best take a look. This is some very interesting information. Thank You 1715Man for the heads up on the new additions on your site. Now, where am I going to find the rest of my treasure so my treasure chest will be a super find when it gets discovered in four or five hundred years? Oh well, I guess it won't be in a boatyard where I'm heading for my haulout next week. That's okay, keep that great information coming and we will see what comes of it.

Awesome I'll go look now.

On a side note it was a super bargain weekend for me. On top of the trolling motor and fins for $18 I closed out the weekend with an ebay grab of National Geographic January 1965 for..... $2.99!!!!! WOOT

In case one doesn't know...... "Wagner, Kip. DROWNED GALLEONS YIELD SPANISH GOLD. Wahington: National Geographic, January 1965. p1-37. Several color photos, maps, artist renderings and line drawings. The earliest account on the 1715 Spanish Plate Fleet available to the general public. The story of the"Richest find of sunken treasure in the 20th century" by treasure hunter Kip Wagner. Wagner also wrote the treasure classic "Pieces of Eight" later the same year. Several coins are pictured including a two page assortment of gold doubloons and silver reales. A beautiful close up of a doubloon (possibly a royal). A treasure collection must have. This copy in rare, fine condition."

I think I paid $25 or so for one I have in storage. This is something every collector should have as well as a good read!

It's also an interesting issue with the cover story - Special Forces of Viet Nam...

well now ain't that funny and not haha

They still do not say where, it just says at a point approxiamtely four miles give or take 2 miles either North or South...

Are you sure that is not the First Contract?

If you pinpoint something like that there will be a stampeede to find anything that was missed and it would be done under the cover of night. Not a great idea to be to pinpoint to acurately when letting others have your location. If they are going to follow you at east make them earn it.