SEBASTIAN — It was sunken Spanish treasure that brought reporters and photographers to Capt. Hirams Wednesday, crowded into the conference room to hear about the discovery of a priceless gold artifact from the Spanish Plate Fleet, and to see it for themselves.
The news was announced by Brent Brisben of Queens Jewels LLA, a Sebastian historic shipwreck salvage company, which owns the exclusive salvage rights to the Spanish Treasure Fleet which went down in a hurricane off the Florida Coast on July 31, 1715, laden with treasure from the New World and bound for the King of Spain.
The artifact, about the size of a playing card, is ornate, gold filigree, and of stunning craftsmanship. It was discovered by the Schmitt family, whose patriarch, Rick Schmitt, has been searching for sunken Spanish treasure ever since “I was a hyperactive 14-year-old kid and begged my way onto the treasure hunters’ boats at the Sebastian Inlet.”
“My heroes have always been pirates – not cowboys,” he added with a grin.
The family has since joined him in the adventure of a lifetime, and they first gained worldwide fame in September 2013 when they found 50 feet of gold chains and numerous gold coins worth half a million dollars.
Now they’ve done it again, and they were all present to share the exciting news and answer questions.
The artifact was spotted not far off the coast of Ft. Pierce, in shallow waters – only about 15 feet deep – by Rick’s son, Eric, who captains the “Aarrr Booty” for their company, Booty Salvage. Even more astounding than simply being a 300-year-old piece of Spanish treasure is that the piece discovered on Memorial Day weekend by the Schmitts turned out to be the missing piece of another artifact, found in 1989 on the same wreck – the Nieves.
For years, the original piece was thought to be a frame. But further investigation revealed it to be part of a piece used by the Catholic Church to hold the Holy Eucharist, likely only handled by a very high church official.
Astonishingly, the two pieces were discovered a quarter century apart. Together now, their value is immeasurable.
Brisben explained that the announcement came only now because the artifact was bent when discovered and had to be carefully restored. Additionally, the announcement was made, appropriately, on the 299th anniversary of the sinking of the Plate Fleet.
Eric explained his excitement when he saw the glitter of gold in the sand. Because the water was clear and shallow and the weather was calm, he was able to turn on a camera and record himself as he uncovered the glittering prize, including his real-time reaction, something that does not often happen.
He said it was discovered in an area that had already been searched and they were going back over it just one more time.
Rick Schmitt said renowned treasure hunter Mel Fisher paved the way for all those who came after, doing battle with the state and winning rights to the treasure.
Any salvaged treasure is, after a waiting period, divided between the state and the stakeholders, in this case the Schmitt family and Queens Jewels LLC.
