Customer Reviews

Pieces of Eight: Recovering the Riches of a Lost Spanish Treasure Fleet

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Kip Wagner was a full-time contractor and part-time dreamer on Florida's east coast. Walking along the beach one day near his home in Wabasso, a friend found him some silver coins (oxidized to black) after bragging about finding them washed ashore all the time. This set in motion years of research by Kip and his treasure/business partners regarding the 1715 Spanish Plate Fleet of ships lost in a hurricane during July of that year. This historical event is well-chronicled here too.
They hit pay dirt after years of diving, research and hard work finding thousands of gold & silver coins, bars and jewelry making themselves millionaires in the process. One chapter describes sand being mechanically blown away from an area of the sea bed which revealed according to Kip a "carpet of gold." It's this along with other descriptions (And great pictures of the finds too!) told in a down-home sort of way that makes this book such a fun and breezy read. If this story doesn't stir your blood with a sense of adventure, then try the fictional 'Treasure Island' or something. Here's that one-in-a-million dream that actually came true and one we'd all like to wake up to!

Outstanding account of the late Kip Wagner's search for sunken Spanish treasure off Florida's east coast. Book chronicles the formation of his Real Eight Company and the subsequent finding of over $1 million dollars in gold and silver. A must for anyone interested in treasure hunting or underwater archaeology.

Historically very accurate. A great piece in relating the setting up of the Spanish Treasure Fleet of 1715, the economic setting of the time and the social setting as well. The hurricane, loss and period salvage attempts of the treasure ships are greatly detailed. The modern day discovery by Kip Wagner and his initial salvage attempts keep the armchair treasure hunter glued to the pages. The eventual discovery and finding of several of the shipwrecks and the treasures they hold is absolutely fascinating. A great understanding of why this portion of Florida's east coast is named "The Treasure Coast"

Great book and it was in better shape than advertised. Shipped quick and packed ok.
Very happy with the book and seller.