Treasures of the Spanish Main : Shipwrecked Galleons in the New World

by Fine, John Christopher

• ISBN13: 9781592287604
• ISBN10: 1592287603
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2006-09-01
• Publisher: Lyons Press

Summary

This is a story about the lust for gold and treasure," Fine writes. In the 1600s and 1700s, Spain dominated the oceans with its fleet of galleons. Coming to the New World, these ships filled their holds with gold and silver and treasures beyond imagining. The seaway between Spain and the New World was dubbed The Golden Highway. On their journeys back across the seas, many were wrecked on reefs or destroyed by hurricanes. The watery depths now hold their treasures. Today, treasure divers seek their fortunes by attempting--sometimes successfully, sometimes fatally--to retrieve these hordes of riches. In Treasures of the Spanish Main, readers relive each voyage of long ago as well as witness the modern wreck diver's efforts to extract their secrets. The voyages of centuries ago come alive with Fine's excellent historical detail. Readers will experience the wild storms and the results of unfortunate choices made by long-ago sailors. The eccentric treasure hunters of today, along with those of the past, create a mosaic of suspense and drama on the high seas. A must for everyone interested in pirates, treasure, sailing, history, or just plain fun.

Author Biography

John Christopher Fine is a marine biologist with a doctor of jurisprudence degree. He is the author of fifteen books, including award-winning books dealing with ocean pollution. He is a liaison officer of the United Nations Environment Programme and the Confederation Mondiale for ocean matters. He is a member of the Academy of Underwater Arts and Sciences in honor of his books in the field of education. He has received international recognition for his pioneering work investigating toxic waste contamination of our land and water resources.

Table of Contents

Introduction	p. VII
The Golden Highway	p. 1
The 1622 Fleet: The Atocha and the Santa Margarita	p. 9
The Concepcion	p. 45
The Maravillas	p. 67
The Shipwreck off Jupiter Beach	p. 77
The San Jose: Richest Shipwreck in the World	p. 107
The 1715 Fleet	p. 119
The 1733 Fleet	p. 145
Bibliography	p. 175
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