Written by the TreasureGude for the Exclusive use of the Treasure Beaches Report.
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| Portrait of Charles I, painted by Anthony van Dyck around 1637. (Public domain) |
On 10 July 1633, the ferry known as the Blessing of Burntisland was travelling from Burntisland to Leith during Charles I’s Scottish coronation tour when rough weather struck. The king’s baggage was aboard the ferry, according to the Burntisland Heritage Trust’s original account of the search. Another vessel carried Charles himself, while only two of the 35 people on board are believed to have survived.
The cargo reportedly included royal jewelry, textiles, coins, and precious-metal plate valued at about £100,000 at the time. Later accounts linked it to a gold and silver dinner service associated with Henry VIII. No complete inventory has ever been established...
The phrase “millions in treasure” makes a compelling headline, but it is not a measured valuation of a recovered hoard. The trust gives the cargo’s contemporary estimate as roughly £100,000. Modern figures depend on inflation, rarity, and what survived the sinking.,,
The search has been unusually persistent. Burntisland Heritage Group took over after an American exploration company withdrew in 1996. It became Burntisland Heritage Trust the following year and secured protected-wreck status in 1999.
The next stage is timber dating and archaeological assessment. If those steps connect the structure to the 1633 ferry, a local legend will become a major piece of Scottish maritime history. If not, the search will continue beneath the Forth...
Here is the link for more about that.
Hope is High for Finding Charles I Treasure Wreck Located in Scotland | Ancient Origins
Here is link to another site on the subject.
Burntisland Heritage
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Maybe you've come across an old well at some time. There are some just behind some of the Treasure Coast wreck beaches. For example, one was found at Frederick Douglass in the mangroves, but there are others, such as those in the Sebastian salvage camp area. I've also found them other places such as the barrel well on Pigeon Island in St. Lucia. Wells attractive and therefore artifacts. They don't even have to be constructed wells. Springs and watering holes are also good places to metal detect. And then, of course, there are wishing wells, or waters that have some superstitious or religious connection.
Below are a few excerpts from a paper that studied artifacts found in some very old wells.
Concerning those particular old wells...
The relative lack of metalwork in comparison to other materials, like ceramic, is not surprising. It should be expected that metalwork was less likely to have entered middens and would have been selectively retrieved from debris if found due to its recyclability and residual value...
P. Mountjoy identified three forms of well deposit: 1 ) whole pots, usually water jars, related to the well’s use and in a primary context; 2 ) a gradual fill of rubbish that builds stratigraphically up the shaft; 3 ) a deliberate fill of rubbish, brought in from elsewhere and deposited in a single operation...
When wells are no longer used, they are often filled with rubbish or dirt so they might not be apparent and the older stuff will be found deeper.
Here is the link for the rest of that study.
978-2-503-59991-5_bookblock.indd
If you want to read it, I'd recommend the PDF version.
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Archaeologists in Germering unearthed a 3,000-year-old wooden wishing well, the Bavarian State Office for Monument Protection said in a Dec. 20 news release. Unlike today’s coin-filled fountains, this well was filled with over 100 well-preserved artifacts.
At the bottom of the 16-foot well, archaeologists found a variety of items that appeared intentionally placed. Considering the depth of the well, the artifacts may have been ritual offerings or religious sacrifices made during a long drought, archaeologist Marcus Guckenbiehl said in the release...
Additionally, archaeologists found a mounted animal tooth and a wooden scoop inside the well. The number and quality of items indicated the artifacts did not fall into the well accidentally, experts said.
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| Wire Wrapped Animal Tooth Found in Old Well. |
That one reminds me of the wire wrap mounted objects you'll see today and those that have been metal detected such as quartz stones, shark teeth, and amulets.
https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/article270969882.html#storylink=cpy
I showed some wire-wrapped pieces before - both new and very old.
Wire wrapped items have been found in Spanish Colonial sites. I've found evidence and seen other sources that suggest the presence of a jeweler or craftsman on the wreck at the Frederick Douglass site. You'd expect some pretty crafty people on those ships.
I've found what appears to me to be an unfinished silver strap bracelet at Brooks. Jonah M. found a similar copper strap bracelet at another wreck site. I couldn't find that post right off. I'll have to take a new photo of it.
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| Source: nhc.noaa.gov. |
There is a tropical wave headed in our general direction that has a good chance of developing. That is something to watch. So far, I think everyone has fallen asleep on a very uneventful hurricane season. Don't be caught sleeping.
The Treasure Coast surf might pick up a foot or two at the end of the week, but nothing very significant.
Good hunting,
Treauseguide@comcast.net