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A Discovery in the Archives Became a Treasure Map Leading a Diver to a 17th-Century Shipwreck Carrying Coins and Gold Jewelry
Key takeaways
- Thanks to a resourceful diver, some of those treasures have finally been recovered and now they’re set to go on display at the Isles of Scilly Museum not far from where the vessel made its final voyage.
- Scuba diver and author Todd Stevens stumbled upon a clue to the wreck’s final resting place as he looked at an old map from the archives of the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich.
- His investigation took him to the Western Rocks, a treacherous part of the Isles known for its history of wrecks.
Thanks to a resourceful diver, some of those treasures have finally been recovered and now they’re set to go on display at the Isles of Scilly Museum not far from where the vessel made its final voyage.
Scuba diver and author Todd Stevens stumbled upon a clue to the wreck’s final resting place as he looked at an old map from the archives of the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich. When he read the words “Cap Wildy lost” written over an area west of the island of Samson, he was inspired to check out the site for himself, reports Steve Weinman for Divernet.
His investigation took him to the Western Rocks, a treacherous part of the Isles known for its history of wrecks. Suited up in his scuba gear, he explored rocky depths 15 to 130 feet below the surface and identified the remnants of a ship. Its unusual ballast, which was made from broken pieces of cannon, confirmed it was a match for the Phoenix.