Part 5/9:
Maritime Mysteries: The Lost Treasure of Nuestra Senora de Atocha
Florida's maritime history is punctuated by intriguing tales, such as that of the Nuestra Senora de Atocha. This famed Spanish treasure galleon was infamous for its tragic sinking in 1622 during a hurricane, after which it lay buried under the sandy seabed for centuries.
Valued for its cargo of gold, silver, and precious gems, the Atocha's wreck presented a daunting challenge to 17th-century salvagers, who often relied on enslaved labor to recover its treasures. Despite the difficulties, efforts continued for hundreds of years until Mel Fisher and his team finally discovered a significant portion of the treasure near the Florida Keys in 1975.