In this weeks episode of KeysDiveGuide, visit three more shipwrecks of the doomed 1733 Spanish Treasure Fleet! Blast out of Caloosa Cove Marina to the first wreck, SAN FELIPE, nicknamed EL LERRI, a 500 ton, English-built merchant Nao. Situated about one mile seaward of Lower Matecumbe Key and hard aground in 16 of water, EL LERRI has a beautiful 5-6 tall ballast mound, with visibility often exceeding 40 in the summer. Then, meet Shipwreck Historian Karen McKee at the dock on nearby Fiesta Key for dives on two more shipwrecks of the 1733 Fleet. The first target, SAN FRANCISCO, nicknamed the CRAIG WRECK, was a 264 ton, English-built merchant Nao resting in 8 of water one mile seaward of Craig Key. Another fascinating shipwreck with an intact ballast mound and exposed timbers, visibility here seldom exceeds 25. Next, skip one mile to the SSW for a visit to the Vice-Flagship of the 1733 Fleet, LA ALMIRANTA, a 500 ton monster, responsible for protecting the rear ships of the convoy. LA ALMIRANTA was nicknamed the CANNONBALL WRECK by modern salvors, due to the hundreds of cannonballs weighing 6, 9, 12 and 18 pounds, that could be fired with deadly accuracy by Spanish Gunners for distances of nearly one mile. Situated on the eastern side of Channel 5 in 12 of water, LA ALMIRANTA can be a difficult, potentially dangerous dive due to poor visibility (usually 10 or less) and unpredictable tidal currents.
Posted on: Mon, 03 Nov 2014 14:39:59 +0000
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