Written by the TreasureGuide for the exclusive use of the Treasure Beaches Report.
There are historic shipwrecks in Florida that have yielded historical treasures other than Spanish reals and escudos. And the summer months provide a good time to do a little exploring. That can pay off in many ways. You might, for example, learn other techniques and strategies, not only for metal detecting but also for finding treasures of other kinds.
At 4:00 a.m. on April 1, 1864, an explosion disrupted the still waters of the St. Johns River as a Confederate mine ripped through the hull of the steamship Maple Leaf. The ship was transporting Union supplies during the Civil War.
“It was participating in the Southeast Atlantic Blockade as a troop transport,” says Keith Holland, founder of St. Johns Archaeological Expeditions, Inc.
“After the Battle of Olustee, which was a major Union defeat, all troops were called from surrounding areas, especially Charleston, to come to Jacksonville immediately. They had camped on Folly Island, an entire brigade, for about 20 months. It took the Quartermasters approximately a month to break down the entire camp, and load up all of the thousands of soldiers personal effects into boxes. They were all placed into the Maple Leaf.”...
Holland and his team of divers dragged a metal detector across the bottom of the river, looking for the exact location of the ship. It snagged on a shrimp net, which in turn had been caught on the paddle wheel axel of the Maple Leaf. It was the only part of the ship sticking up from the river floor.
“The main deck was buried under seven feet of St. Johns River mud,” says Holland. “This was going to take a very big deal to get to.”
Florida Frontiers “The Maple Leaf” | Florida Historical Society
Here is another link.
Mandarin's historic Civil War shipwreck leads National Geographic episode
I also had an older video about the wreck, salvage and artifacts. The original team and divers discussed the wreck and showed some artifacts, but I can't seem to get that one working now. But is link to an older video that shows many artifacts recovered from the Maple Leaf.
"Maple Leaf Artifacts" by University of North Florida
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I've been working through a stack of old metal detecting find photos I rediscovered not too long ago. I think this is the thirteenth from that stack.
You can see the usual variety. a couple class rings, a few more chains than usual, one of which has a very nice crucifix, miscellaneous gemstone rings, and a larger than usual number a variety pendant and a few earrings. Not as many men's bands, it seems. On the vracelet, you can see the broken claw clasp that probably caused its loss.
The eye shaped ring at the top has a bloodstone setting. Bloodstone is a variety of chalcedony with red inclusions that has been used as a gemstone and a symbol of strength and healing for centuries.The only one in that photo that I can identify and remember where it was found is the gold and enameled lapel pin shown below.
Part of the enamel has worn off. I always figured that Gentrys was a family name, but could never find Gentrys listed anywhere as a family name - only Gentry. A reader of this blog suggested that the name might actually be of a fraternal organization or band and I think that could be right. It is still something of a mystery item for me. If anyone has any clues, let me know.
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I was talking one day about recycling computer components and reclaiming components. You may have seen that there are gold plated parts from which some people reclaim the gold. I hate to see things like that go to the land fill. Such a waste. Even the neodymium magnet.
Anyhow, Dell computer has a site that provides options for recycling old computers.
Here is that lin.
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| Source: Fort Pierce Inlet Surf Forecast from SurfGuru.com. |
Still nothing but small surf and boring summer beach conditions. There is, however, still a slightly negative afternoon low tide.
Good hunting,
Treausreguide@comast.net