Full Breakdown
New Copper Ingot Unearthed at the Atocha Shipwreck
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Historical Background of the Nuestra Señora de Atocha
The Spanish galleon Nuestra Señora de Atocha sank in a 1622 hurricane while returning to Spain with silver, gold and emeralds. The wreck lies about 35 miles west of Key West in the Florida Keys. Treasure hunting on the site began in 1969 when Mel Fisher launched searches that later yielded the famed “Mother Lode” in 1985.
Find Details and Valuation
Divers from Mel Fisher’s Shipwreck Expeditions recovered a 55-pound copper ingot heavily encrusted after more than four centuries underwater. An August press release from the expedition estimated the ingot’s market value at $18,000-$25,000. Earlier this summer the same crew uncovered a 22.5-pound silver bar that remained largely intact despite marine growth. Captain Drake Nicholas reported that his metal-detector scan also identified 19 high-value targets that the team plans to investigate next.
Official Statements & Responses
Mel Fisher’s Shipwreck Expeditions emphasized that copper was a “very precious” resource in the 1600s, essential for casting the bronze cannons used by the Spanish Empire. The organization noted that the recent ingot, along with other metal objects, suggests the wreck still holds substantial undiscovered cargo, reinforcing the crew’s confidence in future recoveries.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Faint hits are always the most exciting because they lead to, you know, stuff very deep in the mud,” — Drake Nicholas, URBAN LAKE captain — Drake Nicholas, captain of the salvage vessel URBAN LAKE
- “It would make this copper ingot or a copper bar," added Nicholas.” — Nicholas. CLICK HERE TO — Drake Nicholas
- “leading us to what I believe is the rest of the treasure," Nicholas said.” — Drake Nicholas, URBAN LAKE captain — Drake Nicholas, captain of the salvage vessel URBAN LAKE
- “Right now, I have 19 targets that are very interesting, very high-value targets that I'm going out after next," added Nicholas.” — Nicholas. TEST YOURSELF WITH — Drake Nicholas
These statements highlight the excitement of faint detector hits, the production method of copper ingots in the 1600s, the crew’s belief that the latest finds point toward the remaining treasure, and the specific number of promising targets slated for upcoming dives.