A treasure-hunting family from Sanford found a whopping $300k in gold, according to the Orlando Sentinel.
The family uncovered the unexpected reward at what could be estimated at $300,000 worth of gold coins and chains off the coast of Fort Pierce. "This is like the end of a dream," said Rick Schmitt, owner of Booty Salvage.
Their discovery took place about 150 yards offshore and only 15 feet down. Schmitt's family - along with their driver and friend, Dale Zeak said they found 64 feet of thin gold chain that weighed in at more than three pounds. There were five gold coins and a gold ring as well.
Brent Brisben, co-founder of 1715 Fleet - Queens Jewels LLC, the company that owns the rights to dive on the wreckage site, came up with what he called a conservative estimated value of the haul. "To be the first person to touch an artifact in 300 years, is indescribable," said Brisben.
"They were there 150 years before the Civil War. It's truly remarkable to be able to bring that back," he added.
Schmitt's company is a sub-contractor of Brisben's company. "We were world class recyclers," said Schmitt's daughter, Hillary Schmitt, 20. Like most hunters, she was accustomed to dredging up old beer cans and broken fishing equipment while on board her family's vessel, the AARRR Booty. She has been diving with her family since she was six years old.
The treasure that the Schmitt family found was reported to have been from a fleet of Spanish ships struck by a hurricane off Florida's coast on July 30, 1715. More than 1,000 people were killed in the storm that also claimed 11 of the 12 ships.
