1/17/13 Report - More on the CSS Alabama, Books & Vero Coin Show

Written by the TreasureGuide for the exclusive use of treasurebeachesreport.blogspot.com.

Alabama and Kearsarge
Photo From US Naval History Center

2013 is marching right along at a peppy pace and the first month is more than half gone.

I want to follow up on yesterday's post in which I posted a link to a site showing a 3-D image of the wreck of the USS Hatteras in the Gulf of Mexico and then followed up with information on a book about the CSS Alabama, which sunk the Hatteras.

Yesterday I also showed an old book about the Alabama.  The Alabama was eventually sunk by the USS Kearsarge, which interestingly was draped in chain armor to protect the hull.

According to the account provided by Lieutenant Sinclair in the above mentioned book, the lock box of the Alabama was filled with official valuables as well as any valuables of the crew and sent to shore before the battle took place.  In this case the box was undoubtedly safely kept at port, but in other cases I would imagine that similar boxes might indeed have been buried on some deserted shore.

One interesting thing about this battle is that a private yacht followed the Alabama and Kearsarge to watch the battle.  Battle, it appears, was often treated like a spectator sport during the Civil War period.  The same private yacht also saved many of the crew of the sinking Alabama.  Maybe that is another reason they followed the battle.  In that case, a more noble objective.

Once again, I highly recommend the book Two Years on the Alabama by Sinclair.  There are not many accounts of life on board a Civil War vessel given from the perspective of a crew member.

Not only are old books good sources for research, but they can have some value too.  Keep your eyes open for valuable books at thrift stores where you might be able to find some real bargains.  It helps to know what to look for.

Books can be valuable if they are first editions of books by famous authors.  It is not always easy to identify a first edition book.  Different companies use different methods to indicate a true first edition.   However, if you look at the copyright page and the title page and the copyright year is the same as the year of the printing, that could be a first edition.

For fiction books, the book probably won't be valuable unless it is a first edition by a famous or highly collected author.  If the book was one of the author's early works, is in great condition, has a dust jacket, or is signed by the author or some other famous person, there is some chance it might have some value.

For non-fiction books to have value, most will be 19th century or earlier.  There are however some later books that might have value for one reason or another.

Collecting or investing in rare books can be interesting and even profitable if you really know what you are doing.

I simply like old books, especially non-fiction.

Also check in old books to see if there might be old letters, cards, photos or even money hidden.


As you know, the ocean has been calm this winter leading to poor beach detecting conditions.  There is always someplace to hunt and something to be found though.  While the weather has been good for detecting the beaches of the Treasure Coast, the unusually calm seas have made it possible for salvors to be at work during a time of the year when it is usually too rough.   Two ships are now out and working on the site of the Atocha -  in mid-January.

I noticed that the tide in the river was out pretty far yesterday morning.  That has been rare lately.


I've done a few posts mentioning Indian mounds recently.  One reader mentioned that he found a couple silver Spanish coins near one of the well known local mounds.  You might eventually read more about that in a future book.

One thing I really enjoy about doing this blog is all of the fine people that I hear from.  Some have become good friends even though we've never personally met.



The Treasure Coast Coin Club will be holding their  49th annual coin show at the community center at 2266 14th Avenue Vero Beach, FL. 10am-5pm Sat. & 10am-3pm on Sun., January 19-20.

Sedwick Coins will be at the coin show if you want to consign items for the upcoming May auction.


The surf this morning near low tide along the Treasure Coast was only about a foot or two.  The beach fronts that I saw are still accumulating sand.  Also, there were shell lines.  It seemed there were places where small metal items were being washed onto the beach from the small dip in front of the beach.   Modern coins and miscellaneous targets were found between the shell line and the water.   There were enough targets to keep it interesting.  

Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net

1/16/12 Report - CSS Alabama & USS Hatteras & Dating Bottles

Written by the Treasureguide for the exclusive use of treasurebeachesreport.blogspot.com.

Lieutenants Armstrong and Sinclair on the Deck of
the CSS Alabama Next to 32 Pounder.
See below for more on this.

I always look for signs and clues to treasure.  As I've mentioned before, one of the first signs that you will often see that might hint of the presence of other old items is ceramics, glass or bottles.  It can therefore be helpful if you are able to identify the approximate age of any bottles or bottle parts that you might see. 

Here is a link to one web site that gives almost every clue that might help you identify the age of a bottle.

http://www.sha.org/bottle/dating.htm

This is a very thorough and detailed treatment of the subject and might actually not be the best place to start for someone that is just beginning.  If, however, you are patient and really want to learn or already have some background with old bottles, you will find it well worth while.

Here is just one quick and easy way to identify the approximate age of some very common bottles that you might see.  Any bottle that is embossed Federal Law Forbids Sale or Reuse of this Bottle dates from the mid-thirties to the mid-sixties.  That is easy enough, and you will see a lot of those.



Coastal erosion revealed an Iron Age archaeological site and then covered it up again.

http://www.shetnews.co.uk/news/6156-storms-expose-iron-age-skeleton

Two Years on the Alabama by Arthur Sinclair
Published 1896.

A 3-D map of a Civil War shipwreck (USS Hatteras) in the Gulf of Mexico can be seen by using the following link.  Be sure to scroll down to the end.

http://www.ouramazingplanet.com/3981-3d-shipwreck-map.html

You can also read about the CSS Alabama's encounter leading to the sinking of the Hatteras in this book.  Really a good book.  It has a complete list of officers and seamen as well as events during those two years.

Maybe one of your ancestors was on board.

Books can be real treasures too.

Oh, the encounter between the USS Hatteras and the CSS Alabama starts on page 71 of this book.


I'm running late and won't bother to comment on Treasure Coast conditions today.  Nothing much new anyhow.


Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net

1/15/13 Report - How to Avoid Some Treasure Scams & More

Written by the TreasureGuide for the exclusive use of treasurebeachesreport.blogspot.com.

Here is an article from Florida ScubaNews.com -  Dan Sedwick: Where Does Sunken Treasure Go?  It is a good introductory article.

Dug Gold Ear Ring 

http://www.scubanews.com/node/26


I mentioned the Craigslist lost and found section the other day.  I noticed a few listings that I suspect are scams.  They offered fairly large amounts of money for lost items that were not described.  For example, one lost item was listed simply as a "engagement ring" and the amount of reward offered for the return of the ring was $5000, a sizable amount indeed.  The really odd thing though is that the person that listed the lost item said that the finder would have to provide a very detailed description of the item to receive the reward.  That is different.  Normally, and what I highly recommend, is the person claiming the lost item needing to provide a detailed description to prove the item is actually theirs.

If the finder provides a description of the found item rather than the person claiming the item, the person offering the reward has the opportunity to claim a found item if the description convinces them that the item is worth considerably more than the reward they offered.  Doesn't smell right, does it?

 I noticed more than one listing offering a specified reward if the finder would provide a detailed description of the found item.  If this is not a scam, it easily could be.

I''ve written before about how people have attempted to claim valuable finds that they did not lose.  I've seen it happen several times.  They'll simply say I lost that or say that they lost an item and only give a very general description and try to claim whatever was found.

I've never seen anyone else write about this, but it happens.  That is why I highly recommend not showing found items until after a description including specific details that could not be guessed have been obtained.  If a dug item has already been seen, be sure to require specific information that could not likely be guessed (such as concealed inscriptions) before concluding the claimant is the real owner.  

Likewise, before you agree to hunt an item for someone, obtain a very specific and detailed description BEFORE hunting,  Get it in writing too, so you will not later hear something like "Oh, that is what I meant."  Or, "I forgot about that."

Also when hunting a lost item for someone, require that they remain at a safe distance from the search area so that you have plenty of space to work.  You want to have enough room to swing your coil and properly cover an area in a tight grid pattern and not have to worry about banging someone on the ankle as you concentrate.  Also they do not need to see whatever else you might dig as you hunt the targeted item.  Stopping to inspect and discuss each and every item dug would only distract you from the work at hand.   You have a defined target and you should concentrate your time on that until it is found.

Also, people are not always as thankful as you might expect.  I've seen people claim valuable items and take the item and run without so much as saying "Thanks."   On the other hand, some people are truly grateful for your time, effort and honesty and express that fact.  You never know what you will run into.  That is why it is good to be forewarned.


Here is an older story but one worth bringing up again. For one thing, it refers to a treasure that to my knowledge that has never been found. And for another, it shows that when you go looking for one thing, you might find something else, and that something else might be more valuable than gold.

Here is the link.

http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2008/jul/19/gulf-treasure-hunters-went-looking-gold-found-lost/


I'm sure getting tired of the southeast breezes. That is what we've been getting for weeks now.  Seems almost like summer again.   Conditions remain poor for finding shipwreck cobs on the beach.

Low tide along the Treasure Coast will be close to 5 PM.

Happy hunting,
Treasureguide@comcast.net

1/14/13 Report - Gold and Bloosdstone, Loaded Cannon & Lost and Found

Written by the Treasureguide for the exclusive use of treasurebeachesreport.blogspot.com.



Gold and Bloodstone Ring Found with Metal Detector

I mentioned the other day that now they sometimes actually mount diamonds on silver rings.  Well, I was just at Sams Club and noticed that they are also mounting diamonds on steel rings these days.  It is not safe to assume that if you find a ring that is not gold that the stones are no good.

Here is an 18K and bloodstone ring dug on a beach.

Bloodstone is actually heliotrope and is generally dark green with spots of iron oxide red.  Bloodstone has been known and used for centuries and was once thought to have powers.

It has been used to make jewelry and small cases and was often carved into small objects and used for signet or other carved rings.




A Revolutionary War cannon that was donated in 1865 has been sitting in Central Park for a long time.  When conservators were recently working on restoration of the cannon, a cement plug was removed and the cannon was found loaded with powder and ball.  Police were then called in to dispose of the load.

Here is the link.

http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/13/us/new-york-loaded-antique-cannon/index.html

Just a reminder to be careful about what you dig up.  You never know when something might be dangerous.


We got the fall storm that I was expecting in 2012, but I'm still expecting at least one more.  As I've said in the past, more often than not January and February is often the most productive beach detecting time of the year.  We normally get a good winter cold front or two by then and the accumulation or rough winter weather normally wears the beaches down by then.

This year after Sandy we've had a lot of southeast winds.  Southeast winds normally build the beaches.  Therefore the winter hasn't been as productive as normal up to this point even after the Sandy moved a lot of sand.

I'm hoping we get back into a more typical winter weather pattern before Spring.   It has been an unusual winter so far.

I can also remember quite a few times when the beaches got good around Easter.  Hopefully we won't have to wait that long this year.


Did you know that craigslist has a lost and found department for the Treasure Coast area.   It could be worth checking out.  Maybe you can find one of the reported lost items, or report a lost item of your own.

Just browsing through the items for this year the listings included a lost silver ring in Fort Pierce, a found diamond ring in Stuart and a lost camera at the dog park beach, along with a couple sets of lost car keys.

Here is a link.

http://treasure.craigslist.org/laf/3525314404.html

The surf today is around  - 3 feet.  Low tide is just around 4 PM.

The water will be a touch rougher tomorrow.  Nothing very significant though.


Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net

1/13/13 Report - Treasure Coast Pirate

Written by the Treasure Guide for the exclusive use of treasurebeachesreport.blogspot.com.

Illustration of Don Pedro Gibert's Pirate Ship Panda
From free ebook.  Link found below.

A few days ago I provided a link to an old out-of-copyright collection of anthropology papers, which among other thing,s, presented articles on Indian mounds around Florida and other states.  Some included maps of those mounds.  Some very good maps of mounds around West Florida were included.  And a few of those mounds were the source of Spanish artifacts.

If you took the time to read those through those papers you would found the following.

Mention of Mount Pisgah Found in Smithsonian Collection of Anthropology Papers

While the Treasure Coast does not have the amount of pirate lore that is associated with much of the West Coast of Florida, it does have some.

Mount Pisgah, not far from Sewall's point, is a mound that is said to have been a haunt of our local pirate Don Pedro Gibert (or sometimes Gilbert), after whom Gilbert's Bar is said to be named.

1830 Map Showing Indian River Inlet

If you want to read more about pirate Gibert, his crew and exploits, you can read a free ebook reporting on his trial that took place in the 1830s.  Unfortunately his trial to not focus on Florida or the Treasure Coast but rather the evidence against him and the circumstances of his capture.  I still think you will find it interesting reading.  See link below.

At the right is an 1830 map showing the Treasure Coast and the Indian River Inlet.  Notice that the inlet is north of present day Fort Pierce.  The old inlet was nearly opposite Fort Capron and was north of present day Pepper Park.

I've mentioned that before, but that can be something that causes a lot of confusion so I mention it again.  The inlets have changed since 1830, and of course 1715 etc.  Remember that when you read old documents.

You'll also read of the area opposite Fort Capron in the Smithsonian collection of anthropology papers.  It mentions a midden near the old inlet.

Here is the link to the ebook about Gibert's trail.

http://books.google.com/books/about/Trial_of_the_twelve_Spanish_pirates_of_t.html?id=IQQWAAAAYAAJ



In the Roman baths of long ago people lost things just like they do in the water today.  Here is a link to an article about what archaeologists found in the Roman drains.

http://www.livescience.com/26202-drain-lost-items-roman-baths.html


The surf along the Treasure Coast today is expected to be calm, 1 - 2 foot surf, with continued southeast wind.  Tomorrow it will be a little rougher, but nothing that will improved detecting conditions.  I'd say the best bet is still the wet sand near low tide.

Low tide today will be around 3 PM.

They are getting some cold out west.  Maybe we'll get a cold front in the near future to stir things up a little.


Happy hunting,
Treasureguide@comcast.net

1/11/12 Report - Some Dug Finds & Club Meeting

Written by the TreasureGuide for the exclusive use of treasurebeachesreport.blogspot.com.

Cross Metal Detector Find.

 This cross was recently found.  It is heavily encrusted, especially at the top and bottom which have a thick rock-like build up.   Enough of the encrustation has been removed from the middle part to see the triangle and eye symbols.

It is hard to know how to clean this one since there are different types of build-up and it is hard to determine the metal under all of that.

I don't know why the top and bottom attracted so much more heavy concretion.

The eye in the triangle is a symbol that goes back many centuries.  The eye is sometimes the Eye of Providence, or the Eye of the Lord and can represent the all-seeing eye of Go.  And the triangle in religious applications represents the Trinity.

Silver Eye Ring Posted in 2009.

Besides the purely religious use of those symbols, the triangle and eye are sometimes associated with the Illuminati or Freemasonry, and the eye is sometimes used simply as a talisman or amulet.

I've shown dug items displaying an eye before, such as the silver ring shown here.   The ring would appear to be for protection from evil eye.

The only thing I can say about the cross at this time is the amount of encrustation suggests that it has some age to it.  How much, I have no idea.   The design could be from modern to centuries old.  For now, I'm guessing that it is relatively modern even though I have little evidence for a date or time period.

Recently Dug Silver Ring.

Here is recently dug silver ring with clear stones.  As you can see it is nicely salt-water blackened, or what I call sea-seasoned.  It is marked 925 and definitely modern.  There is a good mix of slightly aged modern and older items being dug recently.

In the past I usually assumed that clear stones in silver settings were probably not much good, but these days they are sometimes putting diamonds in silver jewelry.  These should be checked, just in case.  It appears that a little time was put into setting these stones, whatever they are.  Only about a tenth of an ounce of silver in this one.

Items like this are a good sign since they are obviously not just dropped.

I always planned to do an experiment to see how long it takes silver to turn black in salt water.  I haven't done it yet.  Maybe some day.

Here is a message from Bernie C.  This Saturday, January 12th is our bi-monthly club meeting @ 6:00 pm at my house: 1256 SE Palm Beach Road PSL.  Don't forget to bring your favorite beverage. Also if you have any interesting finds bring them along. I will be doing some cooking for this meeting.

For more information on the St. Lucie Metal Detecting Club or the meeting, contact twiprod007@gmail.com.

Today on the Treasure Coast we still have a southeast wind and two to three foot surf.  That will continue pretty much through the weekend.  Then next week the surf will increase a little.  Maybe up around 3 to 5 feet.

Low tide today is around 1:30 PM.

Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net

1/10/13 Report - Silver and Dumping Money in the Ocean

Written by the TreasureGuide for the exclusive use of treasurebeachesreport.blogspot.com.

1.825 Ounces of Silver Dug Yesterday

If you really watch the beach you know that it changes everyday.  It constantly changes.  The casual visitor might not notice that, but it's true.   As a detectorist, it is helpful to notice the small changes that take place constantly.

On the beach front where the water is hitting, the sand is always moving.  It moves along the beach, north to south, and also onto or off of the beach.

The movement of a few inches of sand can make a big difference in the number of signals you hear.

Items get covered or uncovered all the time.  Sometimes when people think that items get washed in or out, those items are actually getting uncovered or covered.

What got me onto that is another of those beach projects that different agencies or organizations love to throw money at - mostly government but also some other organizations that have a near endless supply of cash.  FPL is moving sand again.

Sand Replenishment Project North of Walton Rocks

You might remember last year's project where they covered the end of a canal that had been exposed by erosion.  Not only did they move unknown tons of sand but they planted sea oats on the new bank.  Well, just a few months later all of that newly dumped sand and the sea oats are gone.  Not a trace is left.  In fact the sand is back farther now than before they started just a few months ago.

You can't dump sand on a beach and expect it to stay.  It won't.  In fact I believe there is something about putting sand where erosion has been occurring that actually speeds up the erosion.

Anyhow, they are at it again.  This time a little farther south - a little closer to the Walton Rocks beach access.

They are covering up and sloping the cliffs that were at the back of the beach.  Here are a couple of photos of that project.  We'll see how long that lasts.

The sand is being brought in from across A1A by dump trucks.  I don't know the source of the sand.
Maybe it is from the area of the rumored pirate ship sunk in the Indian River there.  Or maybe not.

As I've been telling you this week, there are a good number of signals out there.  I'm not expecting any cobs even though one might eventually pop up.  I'd say detecting conditions are poor for finding cobs.  But other things are out there to be found.

The "salt-water seasoned" chain shown above was one silver item dug yesterday.  It is obviously modern, and has been out there long enough to have blackened.

Note the broken claw clasp.  It isn't unusual to see a broken clasp when a chain is dug.

Silver at the close of yesterday's market was $30.40 per Troy Ounce.  As I've explained before silver and gold prices are given in Troy Ounces.  If you don't know about that you might want to look it up.

It seems that there are a good number of items on the beach fronts lately.

I've heard from people commenting on the usefulness of the link to the Smithsonian collection of anthropology papers that I recently posted.  I thought it was especially good and others evidently did too.


I recently mentioned that screws have been around since at least the 1500s.  Wikipedia says, The metal screw did not become a common fastener until machine tools for their mass production were developed toward the end of the 18th century. This development blossomed in the 1760s and 1770s.  


We still have a mild southeast wind, so don't expect erosion for a little while.  There will probably be a small amount of sand accumulating on the beach fronts.

The surf is running two to three feet.  It's a little choppy out there.  No real change expected soon.

Low tide today will be around noon.

Happy hunting,
TreaureGuide@comcast.net