Dennis Sommers

In 1662 Spain dispatched ships to retrieve plunder taken from numerous South American countries and delivered it to Panama City by mule trains. So massive were the treasures of gold, silver, gems, copper, indigo and tobacco, it took two months to document and load all goods onto the ships before they could return to Spain.

One of the largest of the ships was the Atocha, the most well-known in the Spanish fleet. A galleon weighing 550 tons with a length of 112 feet and width of 34 feet, it required a total of 265 crew and often had additional passengers. The Atocha, along with somewhat smaller loot-laden companion vessels, finally set sail from Panama loaded to the gunwales but was soon forced to dock in Havana as ominous weather delayed their return journey. When weather eventually began to clear two weeks later, captains conferred together and decided it was safe for the treasure ships, along with 27 other Spanish vessels, to depart in an armada destined for Spain. They finally set sail on September 4,1622, six weeks later than originally expected not knowing what was waiting for them ahead.

Ships carried the treasures from South America as well as crew, soldiers, passengers, and provisions. The Atocha itself was loaded with an estimated bounty valued then between $250 and $500 million in gold, silver, emeralds, pearls and common goods such as worked silver and tobacco plus a good number of bronze cannons. After two days of sailing north from Havana, storm clouds gathered once more, causing the Captain to order a change of course to take cover near today’s Key West, Florida.

Before arriving there, the tremendous forces of the 1622 hurricane met up with them. The Atocha (as well as most other vessels) were overcome and sunk in 35 feet of water along with their crew and passengers. Three sailors and two slaves survived, clinging to the ship’s mizzenmast when the ship settled on the bottom and likely made it to shore after the storm abated.

After learning of the disaster from the few surviving ships that completed the voyage, Spanish recovery vessels were dispatched to hunt for the sunken Atocha and its fortune. They searched armed with only sketchy information from the three surviving crew members. Recovery vessels lowered dive bells (a quite large metal bell), into the water with air and slaves inside. Once close to the sea bottom, divers held their breath to venture away from the bell to see or feel around, hoping to perhaps discover what they could of Atocha’s loot. The search continued for 60 years, but Spain never found the Atocha or its abundant treasure.

In 1973, Mel Fisher, a treasure hunter himself, using greatly advanced techniques and equipment, located what many had thought would never be found. The Mel Fisher Museum in Key West, Florida, now displays a fascinating array of recovered items.

With high school and college graduation close at hand, you might wish to find your own treasure somewhere. Perhaps something special, like a chance to play for the Minnesota Twins, become a movie star, write a book, start your own podcast or find someone special with whom to spend the rest of your life. Maybe you’d just rather find gold in them thar hills.

Those helping celebrate your graduation might tell you, “The world is your oyster.” Whatever your dreams might be or what waits ahead, you are more likely to find fulfillment if you start searching for it. Work hard, be determined, persistent and as focused on finding your treasure as Mel Fisher was. Dive in and dive deep. Believe in yourself, trust your feelings, work hard, be honest, think about others and put them first. Always keep the faith that you will indeed find your oyster. Who knows, your oyster may already be searching for someone exactly like you!

Sommers is a retired Minot orthodontist, violinist with the Minot Symphony and author of the book, “Retirement? You Can’t HANDLE the Truth!”