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Lot 2788
Spanish Colonies. Historic, Antique High Karat Yellow Gold Pendant-Locket & Necklace. Salvaged from the wreckage of the historic 1715 Spanish Fleet, this magnificent double sided oval shaped locket, measuring approximately 1¼ inches in length, 1 inch in width and 5/8 of an inch in depth, it is hand engraved on one side with the initials MAR in the center and floral patterns on the top and bottom, on the reverse side it also hand engraved with the initials IHS, with a crucifix engraved in the upper section of the initial H and floral patterns on the top and bottom side. Inside the locket is an incredible high karat yellow gold band style ring, the top is decorated by a man/pirate with peg legs attached to a chain and hanging lock, also on top of the band is a square shaped diamond, measuring approximately 2.80 x 2.80 mm., bezel set in a high karat yellow gold square box, the bottom outer side of the band is engraved with the letters DONMDAME, it is completed by a unique circular bail and an wire style O ring in which 3 high karat yellow gold multi link chains are attached, each high karat yellow gold link chain measures approximately 26 inches in length and approximately 3.50 mm in width. All having a gross weight of approximately 188.70 grams.
The story of the shipwrecks of the 1715 fleet and their sunken treasures really starts with Felipe V, who was recognized as the King of Spain under the conditions of the Treaty of Utrecht ending the war of Spanish Succession and to Spain's exclusive hold over the West Indies. As a result of the war, Spain's economy was in ruins. During wartime it had been impossible to continue the bringing of treasure from the New World to repay Spain's growing debts, and the situation was steadily growing more desperate
In 1714, the Spanish queen had died. Felipe V chose Elizabeth Farnese, Duchess of Parma as the new queen. She would not marry the King, however, until a large dowry of jewels from the New World had arrived.
A plan was devised to send two separate fleets: the Galeones de Tierra Firma and the New Spain Flota. The Galeones, commanded by General Don Antonio de Echeverez y Zubiza, was to go to Cartagena to load "Pieces of Eight" from Bogotá, Colombian emeralds from the Muzo mines and gold jewelry from Peru. Meanwhile the Flota, under the command of General Don Juan Esteban de Ubilla, would proceed to Vera Cruz to pick up silver and gold ingots from Mexico City and trade goods from Acapulco, including silks, ivory and Chinese porcelains from Manila and Canton. The two fleets would meet in Havana and then proceed together back to Spain.
The Galeones Armada was the first to arrive in Havana, while the Flota was delayed in Vera Cruz waiting for the pack mules from Acapulco. Finally Ubilla arrived in Havana the first week in May combining their fleets into one Spanish Armada.
Private merchants were waiting in Havana to get the cargoes aboard, exerting every influence available to them (including bribery) to get their cargoes included, in spite of the lack of cargo space. The governor of Havana chartered the French warship "Grifon" captained by Antoine Dare, to carry his own cargo.
The Spanish Armada was further delayed by last minute orders from Felipe V for additional gems and jewelry for additional gifts for the duchess. She finally agreed to go ahead and marry him, but would not consummate the marriage until the fleet had arrived with her dowry. Eight chests of gold, silver and jewelry were finally loaded into Ubilla's personal stateroom.
The combined fleet of this Spanish Armada finally left Havana on July 24, with calm seas and a steady wind. By noon, July 29, the wind died and even the sea birds disappeared. The next day the sun never seemed to rise. By noon the ships were called to close station. Visibility became so bad that lanterns were lit on the poop decks. The wind started picking up, and by nightfall was gusting at 100 knots. The sound of the breakers on the Florida reefs was the only sound heard above the winds. Terrified men tried desperately to free the lifeboats.
Meanwhile, Captain Antoine Dare, believing his warship had nothing to fear of pirates and the English, had separated himself from the rest of the fleet, steering more eastward. This, it turned out, gave him the room he needed to ride out the storm. By dawn of the 31st, his was the only ship left.
Eleven ships went down that night, and nearly half of the 2500 crew were lost. Wreckage and bodies were scattered over 30 miles of the uninhabited Florida coast. One of the damaged lifeboats was eventually repaired and two of the survivors sailed to Fort Augustin, 120 miles north. A ship was immediately sent to rescue the other survivors.
The Spanish mounted salvage attempts almost immediately, but the wreckage was spread over too wide an area. The constant attacks by sharks and barracuda on the divers under the water, and by pirates and Indians above, forced the Spanish to give up any hope of recovering the treasure, and four years later they abandoned the search.
Records say that only about 30% of the treasure was recovered.
The story of the 1715 shipwreck came from ShipwreckTreasures.com.
Estimated Value $15,000 - 25,000.
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| Realized $19,550 |
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