Synopses & Reviews
This is a story about the lust for gold and treasure,” writes John Christopher Fine. In the 1600s and 1700s, Spain dominated the oceans with its fleet of galleons. Coming from the New World, these ships filled their holds with gold, silver, and treasures beyond imagining. The seaway between Spain and the New World was dubbed The Golden Highway.” On their journeys back across the seas, many ships were wrecked on reefs or destroyed by hurricanes. The watery depths now hold their treasures. Today, treasure divers seek their fortunes by attemptingsometimes successfully, sometimes fatallyto retrieve these hoards of riches. In Treasures of the Spanish Main, readers relive each voyage of long ago as well as witness the modern wreck divers efforts to extract its secrets.
Included are:
The 1622 fleetThe Concepcion
The Maravillas
The shipwreck off Jupiter Beach
The San Jose
The 1715 fleet
The 1733 fleet
The voyages of centuries long past come alive with Fines excellent historical detail. The treasure hunters of todayfrom Mel Fisher to Bob Welleralong with those of the past, create a mosaic of suspense and drama on the high seas and on the ocean floor.
A must-read for everyone interested in wreck diving, treasure, pirates, sailing, history, or just plain fun.
About the Author
John Christopher Fine is a marine biologist with a doctor of jurisprudence degree. He is the author of fifteen books, including award-winning books dealing with ocean pollution. He is a liaison officer of the United Nations Environment Programme and the Confederation Mondiale for ocean matters. He is a member of the Academy of Underwater Arts and Sciences in honor of his books in the field of education. He has received international recognition for his pioneering work investigating toxic waste contamination of our land and water resources.
Table of Contents
1. The Golden Highway
2. The 1622 Fleet
3. The Concepcion
4. The Maravillas
5. The Shipwreck Off Jupiter Beach
6. The San Jose
7. The 1715 Fleet
8. The 1733 Fleet
Bibliography