Honorable Mention, North American Society for Oceanic History John Lyman Book Award in the Naval and Maritime Science and Technology Category In 1559, Spanish explorer Tristan de Luna led a fleet of ships from Mexico to Pensacola Bay, Florida. His objective was to settle the Florida frontier for the Kingdom of Spain. But a hurricane struck soon after his arrival, destroying the small colony and sinking six of his ships. Few significant remains were uncovered for more than 400 years—until a ship was found underwater off Emanuel Point in modern-day Pensacola. Florida’s Lost Galleon documents this groundbreaking discovery, the earliest shipwreck found in Florida. Underwater archaeologists describe how they explored the ship’s hull and recorded it carefully in order to reconstruct the original vessel and its last mission. They take readers into the laboratory, where they explain how the waterlogged objects they uncovered were analyzed and prepared for public display. The story of the ill-fated colony unfolds as they discuss the surprisingly well-preserved Spanish colonial artifacts, including armor, ammunition, plant and animal remains, and wooden and metal tools. The excavation of the Emanuel Point shipwreck was driven by the enthusiasm and support of local volunteers, and this volume argues for the importance of such public archaeology projects. Florida's Lost Galleon invites readers to experience the exciting world of marine archaeology as it opens up a forgotten chapter in American history. Contributors: Elizabeth D. Benchley | John R. Bratten | Gregory Cook | Joseph Cozzi | Della Scott-Ireton | KC Smith | Roger C. Smith | James D. Spirek | John E. Worth

The Sunshine State has a rich maritime history spanning more than five centuries. Tragically, part of that history includes thousands of ships that have met their fates in Florida waters. Potentially more than 5,000 shipwrecks reside off Florida's 1,200 miles of coastline, with hundreds more lost in the state's interior rivers. In and of itself, the Florida Keys archipelago, consisting of approximately 1,700 islands stretching 200 miles, is littered with the remains of close to 1,000 shipwrecks. In fact, many features of the Florida Keys were named after various shipwreck events, such as Fowey Rocks, which earned its name after the 1748 wrecking of the British warship HMS Fowey, and Alligator Reef, where the schooner USS Alligator met her demise in 1822. Florida's Shipwrecks utilizes captivating images to illustrate dramatic stories of danger and peril at sea, introducing readers to a fascinating cross-section of Florida's shipwreck history.

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"The first illustrated nautical history of the Caymans. . . . For those interested in the sea and the history of the Caribbean and for travelers who wish to learn more about the Caymans and their wonderful resources."--"Colonial Latin American Historical Review" "Fascinating information."--"Choice" "Neatly summarizes the history and archaeology of these small islands located at the crossroads of the Caribbean, covering an array of topics as diverse as crocodiles and pirates, the simultaneous wrecking of 10 ships on a treacherous reef, the building of sloops and schooners, and the importance of sea turtles as a food source for colonists and mariners. There is a little bit of everything here, and it is all fascinating."-Kevin Crisman, Texas A&M University "A fascinating story of how the sea molded the lives of people inhabiting the small and isolated Cayman Islands. . . . The perfect blend of archaeology and history."-William Keegan, curator of Caribbean archaeology, Florida Museum of Natural History Blending elements of geography, archaeology, and ethnography, this readable, illustrated history offers a fascinating portrait of all aspects of Caymanian nautical traditions and describes how an intrepid and independent group of islanders flourished on the frontiers of the sea. From the moment of their discovery by Europeans in 1503, the Caymans were recognized for their abundance of sea turtles, a resource that supported the colonization of the West Indies and fostered the development of a distinctive group of sea-hardened people whose nautical skills were known throughout the world. Roger C. Smith follows the mysterious tracks of the sea turtles and the mariners who hunted them, from the shores of the Caymans to the coastal lagoons of Cuba and finally to the Miskito Cays of Nicaragua. He also pursues the colonial exploits of privateers and pirates, examines the development of island catboats and schooners, and takes the reader underwater to the sites of unlucky ships that wrecked on poorly charted reefs. Roger C. Smith, state underwater archaeologist for the Florida Division of Historical Resources, is the author of "Vanguard of Empire: Ships of Exploration in the Age of Columbus" and coauthor of "An Atlas of Maritime Florida" (UPF, 1997).

Salon sleuth Marla Vail determines to peel back the truth when a wealthy socialite has a fatal facial at her day spa in this stylish cozy mystery. During the frenzy of the December holidays, the last thing salon owner Marla Vail needs is a dead body slathered in a green facial mask at her new day spa. The victim, Valerie Weston, had been a major donor for Friends of Old Florida, a nonprofit historic building preservation society. Marla’s stylists are scheduled to work backstage at their upcoming gala fashion show, but Val’s demise might put a crimp in their plans. Hoping to salvage her reputation, Marla determines to track down the killer. Although Val had been well liked by most people, she may have stumbled onto secrets that others would kill to keep. Soon Marla is unraveling clues involving historic buildings, family journals, pirates, and shipwrecks off the Florida coast. She’d better prepare for a body count that has nothing to do with hot stone massages and everything to do with murder. Readers’ Favorite Gold Medal Winner Royal Palm Literary Awards Finalist “Take a twisty mystery, add a cast of amiable characters, a dash of family drama, and a pinch of South Florida during the holiday season—they all add up to the recipe for a delightful cozy!” —Lucy Burdette, bestselling author of the Key West Food Critic Mysteries

The story of the search and discovery of the treasure wreck--Nuestra Senora de Atocha.