Adventure awaits beneath the waves of Florida’s coast, where the treasure-hunting season has already yielded an extraordinary find. In Brevard County, a group of dedicated treasure hunters unearthed a bounty of silver coins from a shipwreck that has lain undisturbed for over 300 years.
“It’s kind of numbing in a way, you know. You don’t expect that. You always hope for it, but you never expect it,” said Grant Gitschlag, the boat captain who led the expedition. His excitement was palpable as he recounted the historic discovery.
Grant wasn’t the only one taken by surprise. Fellow treasure hunter Corinne Lea shared her astonishment. “I wasn’t expecting it at all, which is how the greatest finds come about,” she said, her eyes still gleaming with the thrill of the discovery.
“It’s the find. It’s all about the find,” Lea emphasized. “I love the history, being the first person in 309 years to discover what was once lost in a tragedy.” The tragedy she refers to is the hurricane that sank the Spanish fleet, scattering its treasure across the ocean floor.
The team’s big break came during a dive in late May. They quickly sent a text to Sal Guttuso, who oversees their operations, alerting him to their significant find. “We’re getting into something really good,” Guttuso recalled, hinting at the treasures they would soon bring to light. Guttuso is the operations director for 1715 Fleet Queen’s Jewels LLC, which is the company designated as custodian and salvors of the 1715 treasure fleet by the US District Court.
What they found was beyond their wildest dreams: 214 pieces of silver treasure from sunken Spanish ships dating back to 1715. This haul is particularly rare given that these shipwrecks have been extensively scavenged over the decades. Even a single piece of treasure would be cause for celebration, but this find was truly exceptional.
“To get this kind of quantity in a period of a couple of days is a very exciting start,” added Gitschlag, whose team has been working together for years on their boat the Lilly May, scouring the waters off Indian River County.
The story of the 1715 Treasure Fleet is one of both opulence and disaster. In the early 18th century, Spain was one of the wealthiest empires in the world, with vast amounts of gold, silver, and precious goods flowing from the New World back to Europe. In 1715, a fleet of eleven Spanish ships set sail from Havana, Cuba, laden with treasures destined for the Spanish Crown. The convoy included richly loaded galleons and other vessels, carrying fortunes in gold, silver, and jewels.
However, on July 31, 1715, disaster struck. The fleet encountered a powerful hurricane off the coast of Florida, near present-day Sebastian Inlet. The storm was merciless, sinking all but one of the ships and scattering their precious cargo along the seabed. The Spanish immediately launched salvage efforts, but much of the treasure remained lost to the depths of the ocean.
“Those ships, a lot of them, were just broken to bits, and that treasure went everywhere,” explained Guttuso. As the operations director for 1715 Fleet Queen’s Jewels LLC, Guttuso’s company holds the title of exclusive salvors of the historic 1715 fleet, under the custodianship of the U.S. District Court.
Once the treasure is brought to the surface, the work is far from over. Conservation efforts are already underway to clean the coins, still encrusted with 300 years’ worth of sand and shells. As these layers are carefully removed, the hidden history beneath will finally be revealed.
But for the treasure hunters, the thrill of discovery remains undiminished. They are eager to return to the depths and see what other treasures await. Brevard County’s waters have long been a rich hunting ground for those daring enough to explore them. Notable past discoveries include Spanish treasure from the same 1715 fleet, lost to a hurricane near Sebastian Inlet. Such finds have earned the region its moniker, the “Treasure Coast.”
“Oh, a crown!” Lea exclaimed, recalling her excitement. “I always say, it doesn’t matter how delicate the crown might be; I will arrive at the top of the surface with a crown on.”
“You know, the treasure doesn’t grow back. Every piece you take out, that’s one less piece to find,” Gitschlag concluded, reflecting on the finite nature of their discoveries.
Modern-day treasure hunts in Brevard County extend beyond the ocean. Organized hunts in the county’s nature sanctuaries offer visitors the chance to find commemorative treasure coins. These events combine the excitement of discovery with the beauty of the local environment, making for a unique and adventurous experience.
For those drawn to adventure and the allure of hidden treasures, Brevard County offers a unique and tantalizing destination. Its rich history, coupled with the natural beauty of the Treasure Coast, provides endless opportunities for exploration and excitement. Whether diving beneath the waves or scouring the sanctuaries, the promise of discovery is always just around the corner.
