Shipwrecks

Santa Margarita

Sank 1622 · found 1980 · Off Marquesas Keys, W of Key West, FL

Salvaged (partial)

The prize. ~$25M recovered; more in 2008
Where. Off Marquesas Keys, W of Key West, FL
Status. Salvaged (partial)

The account

Sister galleon of the Atocha, lost in the same hurricane: 166,000 pieces of eight, 550+ silver ingots, 9,000+ oz of gold.

Pin down the most specific last-known position in the record before going; the search centers on Off Marquesas Keys, W of Key West, FL.
What you are chasing is ~$25M recovered; more in 2008. Work the documented record of Santa Margarita back to primary sources and separate what is attested from folklore.
Confirm who owns and governs Off Marquesas Keys, W of Key West, FL and get written permission before any search; treat protected or archaeological ground as off limits.

The starting brief, the gear, the legal picture for this exact ground, and a GPS chart pack you can load and go. The map stays free.

Get the dispatch

The best of the map every week, the newest case files and the legends worth chasing. Free.