"Today's The Day" - July 20, 1985 - The day Mel Fisher and his crew found the "Nuestra Senora De Atocha", estimated worth of $400 million. Mel Fisher, Treasure Hunter Extraordinaire, had been Treasure Hunting for 16 Years prior to finding the Atocha. Today you may find Heavy Gold Chains, Jeweled Crosses, and Bars of Silver and Gold on display at the Mel Fisher Museum.

"Once you have seen the ocean bottom paved with gold coins, you'll never forget it!"  

MEL FISHER

The story begins in 1622, when a fleet of ships left Havana bound for Spain. Filled with emeralds, gold,
silver, coins, pearls and more, the treasure ships were ill-fated. Disaster struck in the form of a hurricane off the Florida Keys. Over 500 people were lost at sea, along with an remarkable treasure. It was the end for the ships and yet the beginning of a tantalizing legend. 

Decades, then centuries passed and in 1969, Mel
Fisher began his search for the lost galleons. It took
sixteen years and unfortunately, the lives of his son and daughter-in-law, but Mel persevered and never lost hope. All during the 1970s, his crew found bits and pieces from the 1622 fleet, some spectacular, others more common. They finally found the main cargo hold of the Nuestra Senora de Atocha in 1985, known to treasure-hunters as "the
motherlode." At the time, estimates put the value of the treasure at $400 million dollars. Soon, the name Mel Fisher was known nation-wide. 

Recovery work, as well as research on the 1622 fleet, has continued to this day. Additional items,
including more emeralds have been recovered in the years since the motherlode was located. 

As an educational, non-profit organization, the Museum offers educational programming to area school-age children on the topics of science, marine life and of course, underwater archeology. In this way, Mel's lasting legacy can touch more lives. 

Mel Fisher

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