Survivors' and Salvagers' Camp – 1715 Fleet facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Spanish Fleet Survivors and Salvors Camp Site
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Historical marker
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| Nearest city | Sebastian, Florida, US |
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| NRHP reference No. | 70000186 |
| Added to NRHP | August 12, 1970 |
Imagine a huge storm hitting a fleet of ships loaded with gold and silver! That's what happened to the 1715 Spanish Treasure Fleet. The Survivors' and Salvagers' Camp – 1715 Fleet is a special historic place on Orchid Island, Florida. It's where people who survived this terrible shipwreck set up a camp. They waited there for help to arrive.
This same spot was also used by "salvors." These were people who worked to recover the valuable treasure that had sunk to the bottom of the ocean. Today, part of this historic area is home to the McLarty Treasure Museum. It helps us learn all about this amazing part of history.
Contents
The Great Treasure Fleet Disaster
In the early 1700s, Spain had many colonies in the Americas. These colonies sent huge amounts of treasure back to Spain. This treasure included gold, silver, and jewels. It was a very important part of Spain's wealth.
What Was the 1715 Treasure Fleet?
The 1715 Treasure Fleet was a group of 11 Spanish ships. They were sailing from Havana, Cuba, to Spain. Each ship was packed with valuable cargo. This cargo included coins, gold bars, silver, and precious jewels. It was all meant for the King of Spain.
The ships also carried many people. There were sailors, soldiers, and even some families. They were all hoping for a safe journey across the Atlantic Ocean.
The Hurricane Strikes
On July 31, 1715, the fleet faced a huge problem. A powerful hurricane hit them off the coast of Florida. The storm was incredibly strong. It smashed the ships against the coral reefs and the shore.
Within just a few hours, all 11 ships were destroyed. They sank quickly in the rough waters. Hundreds of people lost their lives in the storm. It was one of the worst maritime disasters in history.
Life at the Survivor Camp
After the hurricane, many people managed to swim to shore. They were exhausted and had lost everything. They found themselves on a wild, undeveloped part of the Florida coast. This is where the Survivors' and Salvagers' Camp was formed.
Setting Up Camp
The survivors had to work together to stay alive. They built temporary shelters from whatever they could find. They needed food and fresh water. They also had to protect themselves from wild animals.
Life in the camp was very difficult. They were far from any towns or help. They had to wait for rescue ships to find them. This waiting period lasted for many weeks.
Waiting for Rescue
News of the disaster slowly reached other Spanish settlements. Rescue ships were sent to find the survivors. These ships brought supplies and took people to safety.
While they waited, some survivors also started to look for the sunken treasure. They knew where the ships had gone down. They hoped to recover some of the valuable cargo.
Finding the Sunken Treasure
The Spanish government quickly sent "salvors" to the site. These were skilled divers and workers. Their job was to find and recover the lost treasure. They set up their own camp right next to the survivors.
How They Recovered Treasure
Recovering treasure from the ocean floor was very hard work. Divers used simple tools. They would hold their breath and dive down to the wreckage. They brought up coins, silver bars, and other items.
The salvors worked for months. They managed to recover a lot of the treasure. But much of it remained hidden under the sand and water. Even today, people are still finding parts of the 1715 fleet's treasure.
The Treasure Today
Over the years, many treasure hunters have explored this area. They have found amazing artifacts and coins. These discoveries help us understand more about the fleet and its history.
Some of the recovered treasure is now in museums. It reminds us of the incredible story of the 1715 Spanish Treasure Fleet.
The McLarty Treasure Museum
Today, you can visit the McLarty Treasure Museum. It is located right on the site of the original camp. The museum tells the story of the 1715 fleet disaster. It also shows how the survivors lived and how the treasure was recovered.
What You Can See at the Museum
At the museum, you can see real artifacts from the shipwrecks. There are coins, tools, and other items that were found. You can also learn about the history of Spanish exploration in Florida.
The museum has exhibits that explain the hurricane and the efforts to save the treasure. It's a great place to learn about this exciting piece of history. You can even look out over the ocean where the ships sank!
