Step back in time with Galleon Hunter Don Ferguson and discover the history and locations of 16 wreck sites associated with the 1733 SPANISH SILVER FLEET! Relive the day Don rediscovered SAN FELIPE (SAINT PHILLIP, nicknamed "EL LERRI" by the Spanish). SAN FELIPE was a 500-ton merchant Nao (Cargo Ship), located about one mile offshore "Money Beach" on Lower Matecumbe Key. In the days before GPS, Don found SAN FELIPE with "my chart, compass, eyeballs and a systematic search pattern". With his success in relocating this ancient shipwreck, Don decided to relocate, dive and document 15 more shipwrecks of the 1733 Spanish Treasure Fleet!
Then, relive the history of the 1733 Plate Fleet as it departs Havana, Cuba on an unlucky Friday the 13th, 1733 and becomes enveloped in a vicious hurricane on its way to Cadiz, Spain. Over 20 major ships are wrecked, disabled or lost near the islands of the Florida Keys, beginning a successful Spanish salvage effort that lasts for nearly two years!
Dive into this fascinating documentary, augmented by the fabulous oil paintings and sketches of renowned maritime artist, William "Bill" Trotter. Shore bearings, ranges to nearby navigation aids and other clues by Skipper Don make these wreck sites easier to locate for recreational boaters and divers who want to find these wrecks "the hard way".......without GPS Coordinates!
"Galleon Hunter - A Florida Keys Dive Odyssey" Copyright 1996(VHS), 2003(DVD), 2012(YouTube) Don Ferguson Productions. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Conceived, Shot on Location, Scripted, Narrated, Produced and Edited by Don Ferguson. Contact - Don Ferguson 865-438-6176. Website linked to KeysDiveGuide Channel.
Music Copyright 1996 by Jeff Yurkowski with Special Thanks to The Yonders. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Contact - BeauVinyl Records 859-494-0459.
Oil Paintings and Sketches by William "Bill" Trotter. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Contact - The Trotter Lighthouse Maritime Studio 904-241-6511. Website linked to KeysDiveGuide Channel.
Additional Aerial and Topside Footage-Tom Jackson of Seascape Productions, Key West, FL. Contact - 305-294-7280.
Additional Topside and Underwater Footage-Dan Baker Productions, Marathon, FL.
