Treasures on the Ocean Floor

It is well-known, that there are innumerable wrecks dating from the 16th century and later eras, in the depths off shore the coast of Hispaniola island, but most of them are still to be discovered.

Devastating tempests during the hurricane season from June to November, shallows not listed on any map, sea battles or pirate assaults made a wet grave for many a ship centuries ago.

In the course of time, the swell of the ocean scattered their remains, corals settled on them or they were covered by sand. Ignorant divers took no heed of the wrecks and their fantasy-inspiring cargo, even if they passed mere inches above them.

Between 1976 and 1978, the American Tracy Bowden and his crew detected, and recovered, three old wrecks in Samaná Bay. In fact, these men brought incredible treasures to light. Invaluable, not only because of their monetary value, but above all with regard to the historical information they disclosed.

The ships were identified as being "Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe" and "Conde de Tolosa", two Spanish galleons that sank on August 24th, 1724 in a tempest off today's Beach of Miches in the northeast of the island and "Scipión", a French warship that became victim of a sea battle with the English in 1782.

The Spanish galleons were mainly laden with mercury, which was urgently required for the extraction of gold on the mainland. In each of the ships great amounts of pottery and glass, nautical instruments, personal utensils, medals, jewels, and a wealth of silver and gold coins as well as precious jewels were discovered - obvious evidence for the truth behind all the legends of sunken treasures off the Hispaniola coast.

The "Museo Naval de Arqueología Submarina" (Navigational Museum for Undersea Archeology) La Atarazana in Santo Domingo, shows many exhibits from the "Guadalupe", the "Tolosa" and the "Scipión" -accompanied by a documentary on the salvage operations. Worth a visit!