Orchid in Indian River County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Site of Survivors’ and Salvagers’ Camp
The 1715 Fleet
By Julie Szabo, December 5, 2008
1. Site of Survivors’ and Salvagers’ Camp Marker
Late in July, 1715, a hurricane destroyed a fleet of eleven or possibly twelve homeward bound merchant ships carrying cargoes of gold and silver coinage and other valuable items from the American colonies to Spain. About 1500 men, women, and children who survived the disaster and reached the shore made their camp along the barrier island near the place where the fleet’s flagship had sunk. Governor General Corcoles sent a relief party composed chiefly of Indian auxiliaries from St. Augustine to provide subsistence for the survivors. These auxiliaries also gave protection and aid to the salvagers who used the campsite while working to recover the valuable cargo from the sunken vessels. Archaeological work at the site revealed that the salvagers seem to have erected some temporary structures for use as storehouses for the recovered gold and silver. While the salvage operation was in process, Henry Jennings, an English pirate, sailed to the site, drove off the guards and seized a large quantity of the recovered coins which he carried away to Port Royal, Jamaica. But the great majority of the treasure was safely regained and moved to Havana by the
By Julie Szabo, December 5, 2008
2. Site of Survivors’ and Salvagers’ Camp Marker
McLarty Museum in background
Erected 1974 by Treasure Coast Chapter NSDAR and Department of State. (Marker Number F-222.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Disasters • Exploration • Forts or Castles • Native Americans • Notable Events • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution series list.
Location. 27° 50.032′ N, 80° 26.053′ W. Marker is in Orchid, Florida, in Indian River County. Marker can be reached from U.S. 1. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 13180 North Highway A1A, Vero Beach FL 32963, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Sebastian (approx. 2.4 miles away); Moore's Point (approx. 3.6 miles away); Roseland (approx. 3.8 miles away); Allen Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church (approx. 6.1 miles away); Smith Family Homestead (approx. 8.1 miles away); Bensen House (approx. 8.1 miles away); Fellsmere Grade (approx. 10.6 miles away); Frank and Stella Heiser House (approx. 10.9 miles away).
More about this marker. Marker is located directly in front of the McLarty Treasure Museum ($2 admission). The beach behind the museum is open to the public and treasures are still being washed ashore.
Also see . . . McClarty Treasure Museum website. (Submitted on December 13, 2008, by Julie Szabo of Oldsmar, Florida.)
By Julie Szabo, December 5, 2008
3. Entrance to the McLarty Treasure Museum
This view is towards the north.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 21, 2017. It was originally submitted on December 9, 2008, by Julie Szabo of Oldsmar, Florida. This page has been viewed 2,272 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 9, 2008, by Julie Szabo of Oldsmar, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
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