The Greatest treasure Hunter

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June 22nd, 2017
Back The Greatest treasure Hunter

Blackbeard the pirate and Henry Morgan were two pirates of the Caribbean who were known for capturing and stealing treasures. They had nothing on Mel Fisher, the world's greatest treasure hunter.

Fisher, who passed away at age 76 from cancer, began his professional life as a chicken farmer in Indiana. He gave up that profession to move to Redondo Beach, CA. where he opened the state's first dive shop. He and his wife both became divers, they had four sons and a daughter, and they evolved into treasure hunters when they discovered a sunken Spanish galleon that contained over $400 million in gold, silver, emeralds and other valuables.

The incredible discovery was made on July 20, 1985, after a 16-year search. Fisher's oldest son and his wife died during the search when their boat capsized. Fisher mourned their loss but stayed at his task until he found the Atchoa in 55 feet of water near Key West, FL. During the search, he had a three-word slogan for his family and crew: 'Today's the day.'

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An interviewer once asked him why he had chosen treasure hunting as his life's profession. His answer: 'I do it for fun, romance and adventure.'

His personal life was as robust as any pirate of the Caribbean. He had many friends, he drank, and he gambled. His favorite game was Texas Hold'em and he had a reputation as a fearless gambler who could pull off a bluff as well as bet a sure thing.

The Nuestra Zenora de Atocha sunk in a hurricane in 1622. It went down with 40 tons of silver, gold, Columbian emeralds and other treasures. Although the treasure Fisher and his crew recovered was estimated to be worth $400 million, half of the lost treasure still has yet to be recovered.

After making the incredible discovery, Fisher and his investors put the gold crosses, jewelry, and Spanish pieces of eight on display and traveled around the country showing them to the public.

Not content to retire, Fisher went on other treasure hunting expeditions and found more sunken ships and treasure. His crew discovered a ship that was part of a Spanish fleet which sunk during a storm in 1715 and recovered, among other items, a gold ring with a perfect blue diamond.

After Fisher had died, his family formed Mel Fisher Treasures which operates a maritime museum and restoration laboratory near Key West. They also host the annual Mel Fisher Days Celebration every July where they treated the public to treasure hunts and a dockside party and a silent auction. In the past, the organization has also hosted a midnight poker tournament on board a catamaran.

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A not-for-profit organization, it turns its proceeds over to benefit Wesley House Family Services which assists needy families and their children. This year's event will be held from July 13-15. One of the lucky party attendees will be awarded a genuine Atocha coin recovered from the sunken Spanish ship.

The Fisher family still maintains a 90-foot treasure hunting vessel, the J.B. McGruder, that they occasionally use to take treasure hunters on thrill expeditions.

During the early recovery stages of the Atchoa treasure, two ships aided by the U.S. Coast Guard stayed anchored above the find 24 hours a day.

Fisher's life and discovery were captured in a 1986 film, 'Dreams of Gold: the Mel Fisher Story,' which starred Cliff Robertson and Loretta Swit.

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