The Santa Margarita Project
Welcome
In the year 1622, a treasure galleon carrying the wealth of the “Indies” was destroyed in a violent
storm. All possible means were attempted to locate and reclaim her riches. After some initial
success, salvage was ultimately thwarted by rapidly shifting sands and savage currents. The
fortunes of the 1622 Fleet shipwreck Santa Margarita were abandoned and left to their fate
in the waters of the Florida Straits.
Today, Blue Waters Ventures Key West has launched our third consecutive season of search and
recovery of the Santa Margarita shipwreck. We know from archival records that no less than
800 ounces of registered gold, 145 silver bars weighing between 80 and 100 pounds each, and
more than 80,000 silver coins from the Santa Margarita still await discovery. And that is
just the documented treasures…
Because the Santa Margarita was battered and broken apart in the storm, its cargo was distributed over an
extensive area and now lies scattered and hidden.
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