Shipwreck Divers Find Antique Gold Chain Off Florida Coast

Can one keep the treasure if it is found during leisure diving?

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http://onlinejournal.com/artman/publ...cle_7434.shtml

Shipwreck divers have discovered a 40-inch gold chain on the sea floor off the Florida keys while seeking a sunken, 17th-century Spanish galleon.

Experts are currently evaluating the chain, and have tentatively valued it at $250,000. The chain is thought to be a lost relic from the Nuestra Senora de Atocha, a galleon that was lost during a hurricane in 1622. The chain was discovered on Wednesday by divers from Mel Fisher's Treasures, approximately 35 miles to the west of Key West.

The chain contains 55 links, which have been described as resembling cotterpins. The chain's cross measures 2 inches by 1.25 inches, with an oval medallion featuring an engraved image of the Virgin Mary with a chalice. The chain also contains a black bead, along with two halves of a gold floweret.

Andy Matroci, the captain of the search vessel J.B. Magruder, elaborated on the chain's fine details.

"It has a cross on it with black enamel and a gold medallion, and lots of lettering on the medallion and the cross," Matroci said.

The chain was discovered by diver Bill Burt. According to Matroci, shipwreck diving is always an adventure.

"When you enter the water, you never know what you're going to find," Matroci said.

Sean Fisher, the grandson of the late Mel Fisher, said that finding the chain serves as an important pointer in their search for the sterncastle of the Nuestra Senora de Atocha.

"We're in a really hot area right now, and this type of artifact is the right sort of material for the sterncastle," he said.

This isn't the first time that the crew from Mel Fisher's Treasures has literally struck gold with the Atocha. In 1985 they recovered over $450 million worth of gold, silver and artifacts from the shipwreck. But so far, part of the ship itself has not been found.