At least that’s the way it seems. On the heels of Odyssey Marine’s big find in the Atlantic Blue Water Ventures Key West, Inc., a joint venture partner of Mel Fisher’s Treasures, Key West, FL, of Atocha fame, announced in a press release, dated June 11, 2007, the recovery of gold, pearls and other artifacts from the wreck of the Spanish Gallion Santa Margarita, which sank, along with the Atocha, in 1622.
The recovered sunken treasure consists of eight gold chains, two of which are over four feet long, eleven ornate gold pieces, a gold bar and many other historic artifacts. Perhaps the most interesting item is a lead box with a half inch separation in its bottom seal. The box appears to contain pearls.
Pearls do not typically hold up well when exposed to sea water for for any length of time, not to mention about 385 years.
Preliminary estimates place the value of the recovery at more than $1,000,000.00.
Elmer Hurlstone