Down Like Lead

On route to Spain from Havana with a rich cargo of treasure from South America, the Tierra Firme or Mainland Fleet from South America wrecked in the Florida Keys during a violent hurricane. The Atocha and the Santa Margarita were part of this 27-ship convoy. The ships carried cargo estimated to value more than $250 million. A total of 380 people were lost in the wreck of the two ships. Almost 200 more died on other vessels of the fleet wrecked further to the south in the Dry Tortugas.

SPANISH SALVAGE, 1626
Cortesy of Museo Naval, Madrid

The Henrietta Marie, found near Key West, remains the oldest known wreck of a slave ship to be identified by name. Wrecks involving slave ships were especially tragic, for the crew often did not take the time to free the Africans shackled below-deck. When the Henrietta Marie wrecked, she had already carried her cargo of slaves to sugar plantations in Jamaica, where they joined 45,000 other slaves.

WATCH BELL
Courtesy of Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Society