THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SHIPWRECKED TREASURE

As we pause briefly from our series of commentaries on famous people, we will take this opportunity to inform our regular, and new readers of some very interesting facts regarding the cargo, or "treasure" loaded aboard the Spanish Galleon Atocha which sailed and sank in the raging hurricane of 1622. We will also touch on Jack Magne's early, and continuing effort of bringing the Atocha treasure to America at affordable prices.

Included in the lower hold of the Atocha; arguably the most famous sailing galleon of all time, were 1000 silver bars and 582 copper ingots. The copper was loaded on-board in Havana in the year 1622; the Atocha's final stop before sailing to Spain. The ingots had an average weight of 54.2 pounds, and were loaded adjacent and to the north of the silver bars. The two cargoes complemented each other by providing a balanced load for steady sailing. This special copper was mined at Caridad del Cobre, owned by the Crown, in Southeastern Cuba. Just three ships carried this Royal cargo of copper in the 1622 Tierra Firme Flota : Atocha, Santa Margarita and the Rosario. The primary reason for shipping copper to Spain was for use in the manufacturing of the huge bronze 2000 pound cannons used to defend the ships against pirates and other warring factions of the day. In the second decade of the seventeenth century, the Crown's New World revenues were in decline, and as silver became more scarce, copper based coins were also minted in Spain.

In about 1986, a very interesting discovery was made by Mel Fisher's Maritime Heritage Society regarding the copper ingots' composition. A random sampling of 5 ingots revealed small, but significant percentages of gold. Measurements between approximately one- half to one per cent gold per bar represented as much as $ 10,000.00 per bar, just in gold, at today's value. It cannot be assured all 582 ingots had this amount of gold, since only 5 were tested, but for some, this unknown dimension actually enhances the mystery surrounding this rare cargo. It is also impossible to quantify the excitement that exists in the hearts of many people when they just contemplate the possibility of possessing their very own slice of history.

The silver ingots averaged about 65 pounds and most were owned by private merchants. One hundred thirty three bars were owned by King Phillip IV, Spain's reigning King at the time. Most of the silver bars were mined in Potossi, present day Bolivia; then moved to Portobello, a Caribbean port in what is now the Republic of Panama. Many exotic and identifying stamps and markings were placed on the bars. Manifest numbers, mint marks, tax stamps, "tax bite" and even owner's monogram or initials were common inscriptions.

Mel Fisher located the 1622 shipwreck in 1985 after an arduous sixteen year quest. Mel's battle for ownership only enhanced his reputation as the courageous, feisty treasure hunter who battled the detractors, and the State of Florida over ownership.

Mel emerged victorious against all odds, and took possession of the $ 400 million dollar bounty.

Enter Jack Magne', a history buff and marketing entrepreneur who had followed Fisher's exploits in National Geographics, and other publications. Once treasure is found, attention often turns to marketing. Jack met Fisher at an auction in Las Vegas in 1988, and discussed his plan to liquidate some of the Atocha shipwreck bullion by casting into authentic designs- rings, earrings, crosses,coins, pendants and the like. Fisher invited Magne' to Key West to discuss his plan. Months passed and when Magne' visited Fisher in Key West, it wasn't as easy as he had thought. Fisher announced through his secretary that he was too busy to meet. What happened next might drive home the importance of the written word, or it may just show what is meant to be- will be.

Jack pulled out a copy of a poem he had written called " ATOCHA'S LEGACY " . The poem recounted the Atocha story from loading of the ship in 1622 through the shipwreck, to Fisher's involvement, and finally exploring what it means to seek treasure- and then to finally touch it. He asked the secretary to just give Mr. Fisher his personalized copy, done on parchment. The young lady complied and entered Mel's office. The door was closed- Jack did not move.

A few minutes later Mel Fisher emerged with a smile and a hand shake. Treasure Sails, Inc. was born.

This is what Mel had read:


ATOCHA'S LEGACY


The silver stacked by muscled men

Who breathed the summer air

The smiles and dreams of home again

From Portobello fair


The merchants' busy thoughts of trade

The silver master's count

As tons of precious cargo laid

And weather worries mount


The sweat and thoughts of glory too

Would fill September's sails

They left in 1622

And faced the stormy gales


The destination said to be

From Cartagena's shore

A stop in Cuba; then for home

Spain's King could wait no more


Three centuries and more had passed

Before the ship was found

Determination brought Mel there

Dreams and destiny bound


The throb of life recorded there

Within the cargo pressed

A history for all who care

To seek a treasure chest


For when we feel

What they touched then

In a sense

They live again


Jack Magne'

www.preciousmetaladvocates.com is now featuring Jack's entire line of jewelry hand cast from the Atocha's shipwrecked bullion. A very special presentation called the Ghost Galleon collection, is the newest offering from Treasure Sails, Inc. featuring the first available combination of both Atocha copper and Atocha silver in the same piece. A fitting ultimate destination, and destiny, for cargo that traveled side-by-side all those centuries ago.

This line has been years in the making, and requires separate casting, of copper and silver components by master copper and silversmiths working at separate locations, but with single-minded determination to achieve outstanding quality at an affordable price. Truly " Fit for a King"- or Queen.

We are now restoring, and combining some of Jack's and Mel's joint appearances on TV during early promotional tours as Mel assisted Jack in his pioneering efforts to bring the treasure of the Atocha to America. Please look for this footage on www.preciousmetaladvocates.com web site in the near future.

Smooth Sailing,

Jack Magne'