The 1715 Treasure Fleet was a Spanish treasure fleet returning from the New World to Spain. On July 31, 1715, seven days after departing from Havana, Cuba, all eleven ships of this fleet were lost in a hurricane near present day Florida. Because the fleet was carrying silver, it is also known as the 1715 Plate Fleet (plata being the Spanish word for silver). Some artifacts and even coins still wash up on Florida beaches from time to time.
Thousands of sailors perished while only some survived on lifeboats. Many ships, including pirates, took part in the initial salvage. Initially a privateer, Henry Jennings was first accused of piracy for attacking such salvage ships and claiming their salvages.
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Kip Wagner's team built an exhibit featured in the January 1965 issue of the National Geographic and held at National Geographic "Explorers Hall" in Washington, D.C.. This was the beginning of a fine collection of 1715 plate fleet treasure that brought hundreds of visitors from around the world. An exhibit was set up with a grand opening on May 1, 1967 at the First National Bank of Satellite Beach, Florida.
A museum in Cape Canaveral, Florida houses this treasure. Underwater archeologist Bob Marx designed many of the exhibits, as well as providing additional treasure to the collection.
In 1987 another ship in the fleet, the Urca de Lima, became the first shipwreck in the Florida Underwater Archaeological Preserves.
The Treasure of Cape Canaveral published in Indian River Journal by Brevard Historical Commission.