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.
Site of Survivors’ and Salvagers’ Camp. The 1715 Fleet. 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 Spanish salvagers.
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 Spanish salvagers.
Erected 1974 by Treasure Coast Chapter NSDAR and Department of State. (Marker Number F-222.)
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. 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 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
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.
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 4,624 times since then and 93 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.
