Written by the TreasureGuide for the exclusive use of treasurebeachesreport.blogspot.com.
Everybody talks about cuts when they discuss finding shipwreck treasure on the beach. So what is so different when there are cuts?
There are two basic ways that old treasure items can suddenly appear on the beach. They can either be uncovered when sand erodes from the beach or they can be washed up onto the beach from the ocean.
Some people say that cobs wash up onto the beach, and some say that they are uncovered, but I think most people now accept that it happens both ways. I am certain that it happens both ways. In the past I've discussed trigger points, drop or settle points and the various other factors that determine how and when it happens. I've also explained how north/northeast waves are more effective at creating cuts and why. Now I am going to discuss what happens differently when there are cuts and when the water is high and continues to hit from the north/northeast.
When the water is hitting the beach straight on without much of an angle, the water washes up onto the beach, slows, and then washes back down the beach. When the water slows beyond what I've previously described as the drop point, items that were being carried or moved by the water drop out or settle onto the beach. That includes sand and other small items. Exactly where and when that happens depends upon the force of the water and various characteristics of the item.
Another thing that happens when the water washes back down the beach is that it runs into water coming up onto the beach. Where and when that happens depends upon the period of the waves.
When the incoming and outgoing water collides, items are dropped and settle, at least momentarily. Where that happens will also depend upon the tide.
What happens differently when the water is coming from a good angle from the north/northeast is that the water goes up onto the beach and makes an arc.. It does slow some but does not slow and reverse as abruptly and does not collide directly against incoming water. As a result there is relatively continuous flow and slicing action (as shown on the right side of the illustration).
When the water slices over the beach when it comes from an angle, the more continuous flow does not drop off smaller items. In fact the flow can pick up more sand and take it back into the water where it is carried by the long shore current.
There is yet another important factor. The water sometimes hits the face of the cut very forcefully, loosening sand that slides down the face of the cut and into the water which carries it back into the ocean.
When water hits the cliff forcefully, the backwash coming off the face of the cut can be very rapid, taking more sand away.
The water can move rapidly enough to take both sand and coins with it. Or, when the water slows enough to drop the heavier coins, it can continue to take sand.
Also take into account the rising and outgoing tides and any change in water direction.
One other factor is the north to south long shore current.
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I've been informed that it is not too early to consign to the Fall Sedwick Treasure, World and U.S. Coin Auction #20, which will be their fourth live public floor sale. They have secured the DoubleTree by Hilton at Lake Buena Vista in Orlando, FL, and have locked in the date: November 11-12, 2016 (with lot viewing and Guest Speakers on Friday, November 11 and lot pick-up and Numismatic Forum on Sunday, November 13). Let them know now if you plan to attend, so that they can make a preliminary head count and expand the room-block reservation if necessary.
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Aa $15,000 Rolex watch was found on a Treasure Coast beach.
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We still have several days of one-foot surf ahead of us. There are no storms forming yet. This hot weather and water surely will create some storms - not that I want to see any hurricanes.
Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net
