San Pedro

 The history of the San Pedro wreck is quite fascinating. The San Pedro was a part of the 1733 Spanish treasure fleet, which was caught in a hurricane while traveling from Havana to Spain. The fleet, consisting of three armed galleons and 18 merchant ships, was loaded with a wealth of goods including tanned hides, rare spices, precious jewels, silver, and gold. During the hurricane, 19 of the ships were pushed into shallow waters and wrecked along the Florida Keys. The San Pedro, a Dutch-built galleon, was among those that sank. After the storm, the surviving crew members sought refuge on nearby islands and used debris from the wreckage to construct shelters. Rescue vessels arrived later with supplies, divers, soldiers, and salvage equipment to assist the survivors and recover the treasures. The ships that could not be refloated were burned down to the waterline to facilitate access to their lower holds and to hide them from potential looters. The salvage mission was extensive and lasted several years, eventually recovering more treasure than was originally recorded in the ships’ manifests, indicating that smuggling was likely involved. The wreck of the San Pedro was rediscovered in the 1960s, and modern salvage efforts proved profitable, yielding thousands of silver coins and other artifacts. The site of the wreck, now covered by bottom sediments, consists of a ballast mound measuring 90 feet long by 30 feet wide. In 1989, the wreck became Florida’s second Underwater Archaeological Preserve. The site has been mapped by archaeologists, and replica cannons and an anchor have been placed to enhance the diving experience. Today, the San Pedro rests in 18-20 feet of water about 1¼ nautical miles south of Indian Key. It is a popular dive site within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and is home to a diverse array of marine life. Divers and snorkelers can explore one of Florida’s oldest shipwreck sites, but are reminded to respect the historical significance of the area by taking only pictures and leaving only bubbles.