6/19/22 Report - Nautical Archaeology Digital Library. Comments From Some Readers of This Blog.

 

Written by the TreasureGuide for the exclusive use of the Treasure Beaches Report.

You might be able to find some interesting information on the Nautical Digital Aarchaeology Library web site. I expected more, but maybe it will become more extensive with time. The basic idea behind it is a good one.

The Nautical Archaeology Digital Library (shiplib.org)

I found one good quote, which I think was on that web site somewhere.  I don't know these are the exact words, but it was something like, "If archaeology is not shared, it is nothing."  I agree with that.  The often expressed intent of archaeology is to save the past for the public, yet too often archaeologists do not trust the public, are very secretive even when projects are paid for by tax dollars, and much of it is only published in expensive academic books and journals.

Despite the negative perceptions of treasure hunters conveyed by archaeologists, treasure hunting does a lot to expose the public to history and archaeology.

In 2013 I did a survey in The Treasure Beaches Report Direct From Florida's Treasure Coast.: 10/1/13 Report - Poll Results, Florida's Treasure Resource & Beach Conditions.  I discussed the results of that survey in a 2013 post.  Here it is.

A lot of people are interested in treasure.  This year people around the world have been learning from the national media about treasure discoveries made along the Treasure Coast.  That brought a lot of attention to the area.  I know that for a fact.  I personally heard from people up north who had no particular interest in treasure hunting but had learned about those discoveries through the national news.

Treasure is a very valuable resource for Florida.  That is one big reason that I posted the most recent blog poll.   I wanted to gather actual data.  And that data presents some important facts.

First of all, it is worth noting that on average each of the poll respondents made two or more visits to treasure museums.  Once was not enough.  Treasure enthusiasts are really enthusiasts, and they spend time and money on the hobby.

49% of the respondents have visited the Mel Fisher Museum in Key West.  As you know that museum is run by the Fishers, a private treasure hunting group that is funded by private investors.  The state gets their share of the finds and has built a huge collection of treasure coins and artifacts resulting from the salvage efforts of the Fishers and other salvage groups.

58% of the respondents have visited the Fisher treasure museum in Sebastian.  That is a significantly higher percentage than visited the museum in Key West despite Key West being a bigger town and more widely known as a tourist destination.

So why would that be?  First is the fact that a good percentage of those who read this blog on a regular basis live near the Treasure Coast or visit the Treasure Coast for metal detecting.  (I've given the statistics before on how many out-of-area and out-of-state people read this blog and visit the Treasure Coast for detecting.)

Although Key West is a big name when it comes to both treasure hunting and tourism, it is not a place that many people visit in order to metal detect.   They do not have extensive treasure beaches like the Treasure Coast down there.  Therefore despite the fact that Key West is much better known to people around the country and around the world, it is not a place that draws many detectorists who want to detect the beaches.

Sebastian, on the other hand, is close to the Treasure Coast beaches that are well known for metal detecting and treasure hunting and which draws tourists and residents who are interested in those activities.  As I recently pointed out, Sebastian Inlet State Park is one of the most visited of Florida's state parks.

People who learn about the Treasure Coast by hearing about the treasure discoveries made along the Treasure Coast, visit and spend their money on treasure related activities, museums being just one.   Of course they buy meals, stay at restaurants, buy metal detectors, fuel their cars, etc. etc.

The McClarty Museum, run by the state as a part of the Sebastian Inlet State Park, was visited by 76% of the blog's respondents.  The admission charge to the McClarty museum is only one dollar, and it is manned by volunteers.  As good as it is, it does not receive a lot of promotion, but people who are interested in treasure hunting and metal detecting do visit the area and visit the museum as well.  Admission is only $1.00.  I should also say that I've often mentioned the McClarty Museum to the readers of this blog.

Even with the minimum admission fee and a excellent location on the Treasure Coast, combined visits to the two privately run Fisher museums out numbers visits to the McClarty.

Our state collections would certainly be much smaller if it weren't for those who invest their time and resources to salvage the shipwrecks.

One of the top museums in Florida and perhaps in the United States is the Florida Museum of Natural History in Gainesville.  It is operated by highly trained academics and charges an admission fee of nearly the same as the two Fisher museums (Around $13 for adults).

Despite the size and tax-payer resources put into it, the FMNH was visited by only 10% of the respondents to this blog.  That is only a small fraction of those that visited the Fisher Museums and the McClarty.  I think that is very significant.

48% of the respondents to this blog had also visited "other" treasure museums, displays or shows.  One that I mentioned a few days ago is the St. Lucie County History Center in Fort Pierce, which has a display on the 1715 Fleet.  I've also mentioned others in the past, both private and public.

This poll is far from perfect, but it did make some things clear.   One of the most surprising for me is how few  of the respondents visited the FMNH as compared to the treasure museums.  This shows that "treasure" is of interest to many people and should be recognized as an important resource for Florida.

Unfortunately I didn't think to add a category for those that did not visit any museum, so the sample is not as large as it would have been if non-attenders were included.  That is one limitation of this poll.

The state has a huge collection of treasure coins and artifacts.  People that are interested in such things.  We know that because they pay upwards of $50 for books on the items in those collections.   Yet many have never personally seen a single coin from the state's collection.  That seems to me like a huge lost opportunity for Florida to capitalize on one of its huge resources.

We know that treasure brings attention to Florida and draws tourists.  We know that people are interested in the fantastic treasure that has been found in Florida and continues to be found in Florida. The national media knows it.  People visit museums, buy books, and visit the treasure beaches after learning about it.

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Today I decided to post some emails that I received from the people that read the Treasure Beaches Report.  They are emails that I received relatively recently, although they are from people who have been reading this blog for a number of years.  

Just a few days ago I posted the story of one of my memorable Treasure Coast hunts.  Here is what DJ had to say about that post.

Felt like I was there with your description. 

“ One half reale popped up.  Then another and another. ”

That is the kind of hunt I would like to get under my coil before I die. I have not been hunting anywhere as long as you yet I have been in cold, stormy, rainy conditions where things seemed right. For some reason, I was usually a day late (or early), or had family obligations of some kind. I know there were many missed opportunities that I will never get back, but that’s life and that’s learning the trade I imagine.

Of course as I have written before time and again, your blogs are a fantastic and almost encyclopedic source of information. Your writing style is easy to read and logical as well as the voice of experience. I would not have known of most of the things I found were it not for the treasure blogs.

When I look in my partially filled display case I see the 1715 dividers that Steve at West Bay gave me a COA for, the iron spikes and square nails I found just south of Beachcomber (which I guess was a fluke) and the musket balls that I found that time when everyone was finding them at Turtle Trail, the pot sherds that have the finger grooves on the inside from when they were hand made and the couple still suspect and unproven but possible wreck items. And think - hmmm not bad. But I save a space for a reale.

I did get close a couple times once when Josh found a couple half reales at TT that he showed me as I was arriving and he leaving. And was hunting around where a Pillar dollar was found a day before or after, cannot remember. But that’s part of the thrill too. Makes it really have value to work hard for something.

I moved to Vero in 1979 right after a hurricane and the newspaper had articles some finds from the beach but I never paid attention as I was occupied making a living. Can’t help but sometimes think if I only knew then - but again, that’s the way of life. And I get it.

Anyway, thanks again for this great adventure. I will be back on the beach when the wind blows and some sand leaves. I still go out just to keep my stamina up a little and it is very calming and restive so that helps... 

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Thanks for sharing DJ.  Those dividers are neat.

It is a very peaceful activity, and no matter what a person might be going through in life, putting on those earphones and listening for the sound of treasure can put you in a peaceful meditative state of mind.

I remember one time long ago when my sister was going through a divorce and I took her to the beach to do some metal detecting.  She said she could see why I liked it.  She said when she was detecting, it cleared her mind of everything else.

One of the several reasons I told the story of my hunt was to let people know that it can take a while to find 1715 Fleet reales, or any old shipwreck items on the beach, but if you are patient and keep at it, one day when you happen to be at the right place at the right time, you'll have a story that you'll long remember and tell for years to come.

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One beach detectorists who is well known for his many excellent finds is Terry Shannon.  It has been a while now, but I did a post not too long ago on his truly exceptional Carlos and Joanna reales.  

Many of you know Terry.  He loves share about his finds and experiences, and was kind enough to offer the following encouraging words.

Thank you for the excellent job you did on reporting on my coin. Your blog is not only interesting but very educational and enjoyed by many. You have helped many and I am honored to be include today. Keep up the great work!!  Terry.

As you might know, Terry published a book about metal detecting experiences.  If you haven't read it yet, you'll want to.

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And Bruce B., who has also been reading the Treasure Beaches Report for many years, sent in this kind note of encouragement.

Just wanted to say thank you again for your amazing writing. I read it first thing every day when I arrive at my desk. I have learned so much and I guess I find it rare these days to find someone who does so much without a financial motive. You are very much appreciated.

The metal detecting community is made up of really fine people.  That is one thing I wanted to show by posting a few of the emails I received.  They didn't need to write these kind words, and probably didn't expect them to be posted, but that is the kind of people they are.   They are good folks, who take their own time to express appreciation and provide encouragement. Being a part of that type of community is one of the many benefits of metal detecting.

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Good hunting,

TreasureGuide@comcast.net