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In memory of Mel Fisher

The wondrous story of Mel Fisher and his search to find the Atocha, a Spanish ship which disappeared in 1622 of the West coast of Key West. In following his dream Fisher got what he wanted and much more. This website follows his story all the way to the end and what people still do today to show their

respect for this true hero.

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History of the Atocha

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On the 4th September 1622, the Atocha along with around 27 other ships left for Spain. It was carrying many treasures, as well as crew, essentials and passengers. Some of the treasures included 40 tonnes of gold and silver bars, and other types of emeralds and jewels. The Atocha and it’s sister ship Santa Margarita were hit by a hurricane, both ships were wreaked as the hurricane continued and the ships and their contents were spilled over the ocean floor.

The remains of the Atocha rested on the sea floor for over 300 years before the first indication of the wreck was found in 1971. Mel Fisher, had been searching for the Atocha since 1966 and though unknown to anyone then would take 16 years to find the ships. In June 1971, one of his divers located a large galleon anchor, a clump of silver coins (dated 1621 and earlier), gold bars and chains, and several matchlock muskets.

•Mel learned carpentry skills from his father, Earl Fisher.

•With the outbreak of World War 11, Mel went into the U.S. Army. He was trained and served with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Before being shipped over seas to Europe with the Army Engineers, he studied at the University of Alabama where he was later awarded an honorary doctorate.

•After the war, Mel restlessly moved to Chicago and Denver, then to Florida where he again pursued his primary interest in diving. Mel was also a developer of his own spear guns, cameras and other equipment needed for his underwater adventures and exploration. Near Tampa,

•Mel saw his first real treasure from a sunken ship.

•From Florida, Mel Fisher drove to California to purchase one of the first scuba (self-contained underwater breathing apparatus) units perfected by Jacques Cousteau.

•In 1950 Mel moved with his parents to Torrance, California. They operated a chicken ranch there. Mel continued to pursue his interest in diving while he helped with the ranch and also studied animal husbandry at El Camino College.

•Mel Fisher opened his first dive shop in a small feed shed on the family chicken ranch. He had a small compressor and sold "breathing" air as well as scuba equipment and parts.

•Mel and Dolores were married

•Mel and Dolores Fisher were hugely successful in pioneering business, training more than 65,000 novices in the science of scuba diving.

• Mel received a prestigious award for his contributions to education in diving.

•Four children were born to Mel and Dolores Fisher, sons Dirk, Kim and Kane, and daughter Taffi.

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Many treasures were found while searching for the Atocha, many pieces of the treasure was worth a lot of money.

Firstly the divers found and anchor of the Sister ship, however nothing else was found for another two years after this. The crew were met by lots of bad weather and false leads.

Then, Mel Fisher used a machine called a mailbox which uncovered Silver coins from no later than 1621. One of the most remarkable find was an Astrolabe which is a piece of navigating equipment and there would have only have been one of these.

In 1973, the treasure hunters found three silver bars weighing 70 pounds each, which brought the proof needed that it was from the Atocha and not another ship. The Florida authorities got involved and kept 25% of the treasure.

After this the crew found bronze cannons weighing 1.5 tonnes each, these were found by Dirk Fisher. Dirk Fisher lost his life on a ship called the North Wind whilst searching for the treasure.

After twelve years the search had cost the total of $6 million. Mel Fisher and his crew also found long gold chains, plates and relics from the 17th century on the seabed. The crew found a trail on the seabed which they named Cane’s trail after Mel Fishers son who found it.

On May 27th the crew searching for the Atocha found 13 solid gold bars and 16 emeralds in gold settings. On July 19th the crew found The Atocha. Lots more treasure was found, and pure gold was found which was worth a lot of money. Overall the treasure brought joy into many people’s lives and the crew members said ‘their dreams had been fulfilled.

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•When Mel Fisher’s wife first found out, she hung up the phone!

•Mel Fisher only paid his divers $50 dollars a week.

•Mel Fisher has been compared to Indiana Jones.

•Mel Fisher had his dream for 16 years and only determination kept him going right to the

end.

Map of the area in which the treasure was

found

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The Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Museum is located at 200 Greene Street, Key West, Florida. The museum contains an extensive collection of artefacts from 17th century shipwrecks the Henrietta Marie and Atocha and Santa Margarita. The museum is named after Mel Fisher. It contains some of the treasures found in the search for the Atocha and a memorial for Mel Fisher who sadly passed away.

Mel Fisher Museum.