Mel Fisher, a treasure hunter from Indiana, had a dream of finding the sunken treasure of the Spanish galleon Nuestra Señora de Atocha. The Atocha was lost off the coast of Florida in 1622 during a hurricane while carrying a cargo of gold, silver, and other valuable goods. Fisher spent over sixteen years searching for the lost shipwreck, enduring financial hardship and even the loss of his son and daughter-in-law in a diving accident during the search.
Finally, on July 20, 1985, Fisher’s perseverance paid off. His team discovered the wreck of the Atocha in about fifty-five feet of water, approximately thirty-five miles southwest of Key West, Florida. The find was worth an estimated $450 million at the time, making it the most valuable sunken treasure ever discovered.
The treasures recovered from the Atocha included over 40 tons of silver bars and coins, 114,000 Colombian emeralds, gold jewelry, and other valuable artifacts. Some of the most notable finds were a gold chalice and a silver monstrance, which are now on display in the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum in Key West.
The discovery of the Atocha and its treasures made Mel Fisher a celebrity and a legend in the world of treasure hunting. His determination to find the Atocha and the treasure it held is an inspiring story of perseverance and passion.
Mel Fisher’s discovery of the Atocha is a fascinating piece of maritime history, and the treasures he uncovered are a testament to the wealth and power of the Spanish empire in the seventeenth century. The story of the Atocha and its treasures continues to captivate the imagination of people around the world.