Spanish Treasure Fleet of 1733
Posted by: 
Markerman62
N 24° 53.367 W 080° 40.567
17R E 532711 N 2752745
Located at the southern tip of Indian Key Fill
Waymark Code: WMXWP8
Location: Florida, United States
Date Posted: 03/08/2018
Views: 5
On Friday, July 13, 1733 the Spanish treasure fleet under the command of General Don Rodrigo de Torres Morales, sailed from Havana Harbor for Spain.
The fleet of 21 ships was loaded with gold and silver from the mint at Carragena, Peruvian gold and artifacts from Porta Bello and those from the Pacific at Vera Cruz.
On the 14th, the armada found itself in a severe hurricane just off the Florida Keys. By the next morning the fleet was scattered from Duck Key to just above Key Largo. Only one ship was still afloat.
The remains of four of these galleons, the San Pedro, Lerrie, San Francisco, and the Almirante, can be seen today off Lower Matecumbe. This disaster killed hundreds of people and wrecked the Spanish Navy although most of the treasure was recovered.
Marker Number: None
Date: None
County: Monroe
Marker Type: Plaque
Sponsored or placed by: Matecumbe Historical Trust
Website: Not listed
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