Orchid in Indian River County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Site of Survivors’ and Salvagers’ Camp

The 1715 Fleet

Photographed by Julie Szabo, December 5, 2008

1. Site of Survivors’ and Salvagers’ Camp Marker

Inscription. 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

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moved to Havana by the Spanish salvagers.

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 and Castles • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Notable Events • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) series list. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1715.

Location. 27° 50.032′ N, 80° 26.053′ W. Marker is in Orchid, Florida, in Indian River County. It 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.

Regionally, this marker is in Florida’s Space Coast.

It is also in the American South

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was

Photographed by Julie Szabo, December 5, 2008

2. Site of Survivors’ and Salvagers’ Camp Marker

McLarty Museum in background

once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Iron Cannon (approx. 2.4 miles away); Historic Hardee Oak (approx. 2.4 miles away); Nuestra Senora de Atocha (approx. 2.4 miles away); Cannon (approx. 2.4 miles away); Sebastian (approx. 2.4 miles away); 1715 "Spanish Plate Fleet" (approx. 2.4 miles away); Revolutionary War Patriots (approx. 2½ miles away); Lest We Forget (approx. 2½ 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.

Entrance to the McLarty Treasure Museum image. Click for full size.

Photographed 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 October 27, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 9, 2008, by Julie Szabo of Oldsmar, Florida. This page has been viewed 4,665 times since then and 134 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.