2/8/20 Report - Beach Renourishment Projects and Conditions. Spanish Colonial Finger Rings and Other Subjects.

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

Rio Mar Still Closed
Photo by DJ

Beaches are being renourished around the Treasure Coast.  Rio Mar is still closed.

Ugly Sand at Vero South Beach
Photo by DJ

DJ sent in the following report.

Went to a few beaches starting with Riomar - STILL dumping sand. SO I went to South Beach and took that picture looking south toward Sandy Point. Decided to go north to Turtle Trail. There were 7 detectorists there. One told me they thought last nights’ front might have helped. I ran into Terry Shannon there as well, always a great guy! Had very good things to say about your work, results and dedication. Only down side today was a jerk that refused to fill his holes, I have seen this guy twice now over the last two months. Did not like my asking him to be a responsible detectorist. People like this guy will ruin what little freedom we all have left to detect on a public beach. As I was leaving, ran into three more detectorists arriving. 

Seagrape looked the same as Turtle; lower beach front, lots of small shells, so I did not take a picture. Headed up to Treasure Shores. Passed Golden Sands which is still closed for more sand dumping.  Three detectorists at Treasure Shores, I walked north towards the big curve. Beach front was lower and lots of small shells kicked up from the past days southerly winds. Mostly aluminum but plenty of sneaky targets, solid signals in two directions but the result was an aluminum can end (circular) or the top ring. 

Thanks DJ.

Anyone know where the sand is coming from?  I noticed a lot of trucks going back and forth from out west.

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There is a lot of discussion about the question of silver rings on the 1715 wrecks.  Just a couple of days ago I posted a link to an article about one beach find that was "certified" by one company to be 1715 Fleet.

The subject of silver rings and their apparent absence on 1715 Fleet wrecks has been mentioned in this blog several times in the past.  Cathleen Deagan, in her book, Artifacts of the Spanish Colonies of Florida and the Caribbean, 1500 - 1800, vol. 2: Portable Personal Possessions, published in 2002,  presents on page 126 an illustration showing several  1715 Fleet rings.  One of those rings is described as a silver Claddagh ring.  Claddagh rings have remained virtually unchanged in design for centuries.  If that illustration is correct, the ring I posted the other day may be the first certified silver 1715 Fleet ring, but it is not the first 1715 Fleet silver ring recovered.  Unfortunately Deagan does not give other details on where the ring was found.  Perhaps one of you salvage people can tell us.

We all know about the relatively common copper-alloy rings and gold rings, but you might be surprised to know that many rings made of other substances were brought to the New World but are very scarce among the salvage records.  Shipping records show (Deagan, 2002, p. 116 and 117) that among the many finger rings shipped to the New World between 1511 and 1613, many were made of glass, some of jet, and some of bufano wood.  Silver wasn't specifically mentioned, but examples have been recovered from Spanish colonial archaeological sites.   Shipping records presented in Deagan's book document several thousand glass rings shipped to the New World in 1590 and thousands more in 1592.  You can understand why those might not survive the ocean for hundreds of years.

I'll also point out the Deagan example ( p. 83) of a 17th century silver "sacred heart" finger ring from Santa Catalina de Guale (Georgia), so we know they were present on Spanish colonial sites but perhaps not common.

Well-informed readers and salvage divers provided some welcome comments on the subject.  A couple mentioned that silver rings might not survive very well in the ocean, and a couple also were surprised that the ring was certified.


Below are a few comments from Jammin Jack.

If any were found, most likely from an overlapping wreck from a later period. 

Certifying the ring was surprising to me, but I am sure Steve had reliable sources.

Also, most research material may include sites from the Gulf, Atlantic, Caribbean, etc. This can cause very controversial arguments, but silver rings on wrecks have always been rare - ANYWHERE! ...

Jammin Jack also told of an experience he had with electrolysis.

I found a (ear)ring back when Noah Wells was leaving the lab. Bill Moore took over the process. We all thought possibly silver with gold filigree and hoping 18th century. I wished I left it alone. After cleaning, it was silver, and very fragile. It was determined late 1800s, and had a small value. I still have the ring as a reminder that sometimes cleaning can ruin the historical value. The below picture is the day I found it. If I showed what it looks like now...well, we learn from our mistakes. 

Silver Earring Find Before Cleaning.

Photo by JaminJack

My first attempt at electrolysis also taught me a lesson. I ruined a buffalo nickel. Thankfully it wasn't any big deal, but I did learn that if I used electrolysis, the process should be carefully monitored, which is something I do with any cleaning method these days. I think it is one part caution and one part curiosity. I like to make sure nothing bad is happening and I'm too curious to wait long to find out how it is going.

When monitoring progress on any cleaning I'm doing, I now like to view the object under magnification.  I've recently learned that you can think an item is clean when there is still some encrustation, sand or shells attached.  I just feel like I get a better look at what is going on when I use magnification.

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The surf will begin to increase tomorrow, but only reach 3 -5 feet Monday, and then decrease again after that.

The tides are getting bigger.

Happy hunting,
Treasureguide@comcast.net

11/9/17 Report - Griffin Warrior's Carved Agate Seal Stone. Around the Treasure Coast. Bigger Surf Coming This Weekend.

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

Griffin Warrior Seal Stone.
Source: See nytimes link below.

This is the kind of thing I'd like to find.  It takes a lot for something to really impress me anymore, but this does it.`It is beautiful.  The workmanship astounds me. And it is a very personal item that could possibly be tracked to a specific individual.  I don't know what the value would be; that isn't what impresses me.

Here is how the article begins.

Two years ago, archaeologists excavating an ancient grave at Pylos in southwestern Greece pulled out a grime-encrusted object, less than an inch and half long, that looked like some kind of large bead. They put it aside to focus on more prominent items, like gold rings, that also were packed into the rich grave.

But later, as a conservator removed the lime accretions on the bead’s face, it turned out to be something quite different: a seal stone, a gemstone engraved with a design that can be stamped on clay or wax.

The seal stone’s image, a striking depiction of one warrior i

n battle with two others, is carved in remarkably fine detail, with some features that are barely visible to the naked eye. The image is easier to appreciate in a large-scale drawing of the original...

Here is the link for the rest of the article about the Griffin Warrior seal stone.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/06/science/greece-griffin-warrior-archaeology-homer.html?_r=0

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Here are some more photos from Darrel.  These were taken yesterday.

Frederick Douglas Beach Yesterday.
Photo by Darrel S.

Wrecked on Frederick Douglas.
Photo by Darrel S.

Rio Mar Yesterday
Photo by Darrel S.

Along the Vero Beach Boardwalk Yesterday.
Photo by Darrel S.

Darrel sent photos of a few other spots too, but the beaches look pretty much the same everywhere.

Thanks for all the photos Darrel.

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Maybe you noticed that at the site of the church shooting they were using Garrett detectors to find the shell casings.  Not surprising, being that they are in Texas.

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The remains of Rina are now in the North Atlantic above 45 degrees north.

As I said yesterday, a cold front is supposed to come through Friday and cause a higher surf on the Treasure Coast.

Source: magicseaweed.com.

With the cold front, we'll get a north wind on Friday.  The high tides are still high.

Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net

9/21/17 Report - St. Augustine Beaches Hit Hard by Irma. More T. C. Beaches. Couple of Finds. Big Surf This Weekend.

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

St. Augustine Area
Photo submitted by Darrel S.

North of St. Augustine Inlet
Photo submitted by Darrel S.

North of St. Augustine Inlet
Photo submitted by Darrel S.

The other day I mentioned that some of the other areas of Florida would probably produce as good or better Irma finds than the Treasure Coast.   Here is a good example of where that could happen.

Darrel S. sent these pictures showing the St. Augustine area.  I can pretty much guarantee that some interesting finds have been or will be made up there.

Thanks for the photos Darrel.

Bon Steel Beach Yesterday
Photo by Joe D.

You might also remember the dugout canoe found in the Cocoa area after Irma.

Below are some new Treasure Coast pictures from Joe D.

Just South of Sebastian Inlet Yesterday
Photo by Joe D.

In Front of Wabasso Disney Resort 
Photo by Joe D.

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Here is a picture of an item found in England.  It looks similar to the rounded piece of wood found after Irma on the Treasure Coast.  See my 9/15/17 post.

Found Sheave (?)
Photo submitted by William G.

I think this item as well as the one I posted on 9/15 might be an old sheave.  In that case I would suspect that it is made of lignum vitae wood.  Lignum vitae is a very hard wood often used for things like that.  The depression might have held a metal plate.  I think that would make it what would be called a "coaked sheave."

If I'm wrong on that, please correct me.

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Here is an old Corrigan's find.

Unidentified Corrigan's Find
Photo by Michael S.

It appears to be a piece of oriental ceramics.  If anyone can add to that, please email me.

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I'm watching the surf predictions for this weekend and next week.

Surf Predcitions
Source: MagicSeaWeed

Ther are now predicting a peak surf of up to nine feet for Sunday and Monday.  It looks like the wind will be most favorable a bit later - maybe Tuesday and Wednesday.

Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide

8/23./17 Report - What Some Treasure Coast Beaches Look Like. Microsoft Co-Founder Finds Sunken Ship.

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

South Hutchinson Island Looking South Towards John Brooks

I took a look to see what was happening with the beaches since 92L was just off-shore and we also had some high tides.  I looked at a few beaches along South Hutchinson Island a little before low tide.

Cuts began north of John Brooks up by the condos.  They weren't big cuts and there was seaweed, which means that they were starting to refill already at that point.

Looking North From John Brooks.

These cuts look bigger than they were.  They were about one foot and did not vary much anywhere.

Between John Brooks And Frederick Douglas.

 The cuts continued for what I would think was a mile or more about the same height all the way.

Walton Rocks.

 There were no cuts at Walton Rocks.  The beach front there was low and flat.  There was a scooped out area just north of the main access.  The rocks were mostly covered near with and at low tide when I was there.

Jensen Beach.

At Jensen Beach there was also a very flat front beach that extended well out from the slope.  Still some swimmers and sun bathers out, but not nearly as many as before school started.

At least there was some movement of sand.  I'd like to see a lot more, and it is going to take a lot more movement before most of the beaches become very productive again.  Don't know if it is going to happen this summer.

92L is giving us some rain and thunder this morning, while the remnants of Harvey is forming again and heading towards Texas.

The surf is going to increase about a foot today but the tides are still going to be nice and big.

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What do you do after you become a billionaire?   Go find sunken ships!

That is what Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen did.


"We've located the wreckage of the USS Indianapolis in Philippine Sea at 5500m below the sea."

That tweet from entrepreneur and billionaire Paul Allen around 12:20 p.m. Saturday confirmed what many have been searching for since the ship was sunk on July 30, 1945...
Here is the link for the rest of that story.

https://www.indystar.com/story/news/nation-now/2017/08/19/microsoft-co-founder-paul-allen-finds-lost-wwii-ship-uss-indianapolis/583334001/

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A 200-plus year-old statue of Christopher Columbus was vandalized by protesters.  I think they must be protesting the first undocumented Italian or Spanish ( both seemed to claim him when it seemed like a good thing ) immigrant to the New World.  They probably think he fought in the Civil War.  Or are they protesting the atrocities of the Spanish conquest, looting and slaughter.  Who knows? Trouble with knowledge is that things are not as simple as they might have seemed before the facts got in the way.

Here is a link about the vandalism.

https://www.aol.com/article/news/2017/08/21/oldest-christopher-columbus-monument-in-the-us-vandalized-in-baltimore/23156167/


Happy hunting,
TresaureGuide @comcast.net

5/18/17 Report - 19 Tons of Silver Bars. Some Erosion on Some Treasure Coast Beaches.

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

Eroded Treasure Coast Beach As Seen Early This Afternoon.

I noticed a good southeast wind once yesterday and suspected there might be some beach erosion.  I got out today and did find some.

The above cut is about two feet high.  As you can see, there is a lot of seaweed.  The sand in front of the cut was mushy.  The seaweed undoubtedly washed up after the wind changed direction and the erosion was done.

The quick erosion and refilling happened a number of times during a few weeks a month or two ago.  No cobs showed up then either.

Another Beach With Some Erosion. 

There was not quite as much erosion here.

No Erosion at The Third Beach.

The third beach had even more seaweed.  You could also see where the sand was accumulating on the front of this beach.

Overall, I'd say beach detecting conditions are not good despite the erosion at some beaches.

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I previously talked a little about the S. S. Gairsoppa, but did you know about the SS Mantola?

Odyssey Marine Explorations has filed to claim salvage rights for the SS Mantola, a ship that was carrying nearly 19 tons of silver bars when it was sunk by a German torpedo in 1917.

On May 1 an court order was issued giving Odyssey exclusive rights to salvage the wreck.  The order in part reads,  ...IT IS ORDERED that Plaintiff's Motion for a Preliminary Injunction temporarily enjoining and restraining any and all interference by any third-parties with Plaintiff's rights to salvage the shipwreck site located within the area defined by the center-point coordinates is hereby GRANTED; it is further ORDERED that nay and all third-parties are hereby enjoined from conducting search and/or recovery operations, or conducting activities which would disturb the shipwreck site in any manner or that would interfere with Plaintiff's rights to continue its recovery of the cargo and artifacts at the shipwreck site;...

Here is the link for that source.

 https://www.pacermonitor.com/public/case/21218790/Odyssey_Marine_Exploration,_Inc_v_The_Shipwrecked_and_Abandoned_SS_Mantola# 

Any other parties have the right to submit their claims.

The coordinates for the wreck were kept secret, but it is known the the Mantola was discovered not far from the Gairsoppa.

The company ( Odyssey ) estimates 536,000 ounces of silver could be on board the ship. Under a 2011 salvage agreement with the UK government, Odyssey was to keep 80 percent of the cargo.

However, that agreement lapsed in September 2015 and the government no longer makes such deals, the suit says. Odyssey is staking its claim for ownership.

Here is the link to that source, where you can find some additional information.

http://nypost.com/2017/04/22/salvage-company-wants-rights-to-shipwrecks-treasure/

And here is the link if you want to find out more about Odyssey's Mantola project.

http://www.shipwreck.net/ssmantolafaqs.php

---

Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net

2/28/17 Report - Treasure Coast Beach Fluctuations. Shore Stranded Wrecks: A Study.

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

John Brooks Beach February 22
Photo by Bill R.

The above picture shows John Brooks beach as it looked on Feb. 22.  I showed how it looked on Feb. 24 in my blog.  This cut had disappeared by then.  I think I visited the beach last Wednesday but didn't have my camera.  I don't remember for sure if that was the day or not.

It looks like John Brooks beach eroded and then the cuts disappeared again twice in just the last week or two.  The cuts quickly appeared and then disappeared again.

The sand that was removed to form the cut seems to be piling up directly in front of the beach where the beach extends out at least forty yards at low tide.

Thanks for the picture Bill.

---

I found a really informative dissertation.  The title is The Archaeology of Shore Stranded Shipwrecks of Southern Brazil.  It was written by Rodrigo de Oliveira Torres and dated 2015.

Shipwreck archaeology is usually conducted on shipwrecks in deep water.  A few have been left high and dry, like the one in Namibia that I recently mentioned or some that were otherwise covered by like those in harbors that were filled.  Shore stranded wrecks are in a very high energy zone and are difficult to study.  They are usually broken up and scattered but parts occasionally surface from time to time.  One example in the dissertation shows that not only do some disappear and reappear, but also that they move between appearances.  That happens with large sections of hull as well as smaller pieces and individual artifacts.

Referring to the high energy zone and the lack of meaningful archaeological context in that zone, the dissertation says,  It is assumed in these circumstances that cultural relatedness is too highly variable and does not correlate with spatial proximity, drastically affecting the coherence of the archaeological record.  In other words, things get scattered in ways that make it impossible to study archaeologically. Continuing, they refer to several sources and say, By definition, an archaeological site is a place which contains, in a more or less preserved state, information about past events and activities embedded in artifacts and their spatial relationships.


Here is another relevant quote.  French underwater pioneer Frederic Dumas is generally credited with the first contributions to the differentiation between depositional environments, by drawing a distinction between the differential preservation potential in sandy shores, rocky shores, and shores with cliffs (Dumas, 1962: 4-7): A flat coastline where the sand descends gently to depth is not promising. Scattered remains will be buried after the ship has been broken by storms and swell. Rocky shores are more likely to retain traces of shipwrecks: parts of the ship or its cargo are preserved in declivities. […] in shallow water the sea breaks everything and the dislocation of a wreck decreases its interest. […]


The beach profile illustration that I posted yesterday came from the same dissertation.  Here it is again.

This refers to summer and winter profiles, but what I've been showing lately are not seasonal changes but daily changes that are very similar.  Shorter term changes occur around the net seasonal changes, which in turn occur on top of longer term changes that might be trends lasting decades or centuries.

One thing that you might take away from this dissertation is that most of the principles that I talk about as they refer to the Treasure Coast are applicable to such distant and diverse places as Brasil.  Many of the principles are universal and apply anywhere.

Here is a nice illustration from the Torres dissertation.  If you look at the map, you'll notice that the erosional areas (red dots) are in areas where a south wind would hit most directly.  The stable areas are less directly exposed to wind and waves from the south.

That is the same way it works on the Treasure Coast, except our erosional areas are those most directly esposed to wind and waves from the north.

You'll often find cuts at one area and then around the bend, either smaller cuts or sometimes accretion.  Also one area will build sooner and quicker than another area just around a bend.  It is very much about angles, and a relatively small change in angle can make a big difference.

I found the dissertation on https://oaktrust.library.tamu.edu.  

I'll probably refer to it more in the future - maybe tomorrow.

Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net

12/27/16 Report - Pistareens On The Treasure Coast Beaches In 1775. T. C. Beaches Today. Scams of Old.

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

Douglass Beach Looking North Near Low Tide Tuesday.

Heavily Eroded Fort Pierce South Jetty This Near Low Tide

South Hutchinson Island Around Noon.

Another South Hutchinson Island Beach Near Low Tide Tuesday

There were a good number of beach goers out taking advantage of the warm weather after Christmas.  There were no big crowds or anything, but a more people than normal for the Treasure Coast.

The beaches did not look very good for metal detecting.  There was one beach that had a firm front.  I will take another look at it in a day or two.

---

You are probably familiar with the name Bernard Romans, who published a book in 1775 concerning the natural history of Florida and in the process mentioned shipwrecks observed along the Treasure Coast and including a map.  For those of you who are not intimately familiar the Romans book, I decided to post a couple of excerpts from pages 273 and 274.  Here they are.

Not only did Romans see the remains of the wrecks, but he also made note of the fact that "pistareens" were repeatedly found by those walking the beach after "eastern gales."  He goes on to speculate that more would be found on the wrecks.  Remember, he wrote this in 1775, sixty years after the sinking of the 1715 Fleet.  

Here is the link to a facsimile edition of the book which you can read online.

http://ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00095971/00001

Romans saw wreckage.  I read somewhere that wreckage besides ballast stones was visible still in the 1940s and 50s.  Today there is little left to see.  A lot of the ballast stones have been removed - some very systematically.

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Here is another item from the "nothing new under the sun" category.  The email scams you see today were going on long ago - just without email.  The following excerpt is from a 1920 issue of the Washington D.C. Evening Star.

The letter goes on to tell the reader how to receive a reward amounting to one/third the amount stored in the trunk.

Who would guess todays email scams are just updated recycled scams.

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Happy hunting,
Treasureguide@comcast.net

8/7/16 Report - State of Treasure Coast Beaches. Artifacts of the Mary Rose. Tenth Century Sword.

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

Couple Detectorists At Wabasso
After High Tide Yesterday

The surf was supposed to be a bit higher yesterday.   I took a look at a few beaches to see what if anything was happening.  The waves were hitting almost directly from the east and I saw no erosion on the beaches that I visited.

Wabasso Beach Yesterday After High Tide.

Looking South From Turtle Trail Access After High Tide Yesterday.

I also saw a detectorist working near the Turtle Trail Access.  I had the impression that the detectorists that I saw yesterday were vacationers rather than locals.

Looking North From the Seagrape Access Yesterday After High Tide.

I looked at another beach besides those shown.  None of the beaches showed any erosion.  I didn't see any shells either.  It looked pretty much the same everywhere I looked yesterday.

The surf is supposed to be about the same today, maybe a bit smaller, and then get even smaller for a couple of days.

The disturbance I have been watching disappeared.  There is no weather to watch now except for another disturbance just coming off of Africa.

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A skull and artifacts from the Mary Rose can now be studied as 3D models online.

Here is a link to an article about that.

http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-37250413

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A tenth century sword was found by goose hunters.  It was lying on the ground ready to be picked up.

Here is the link.

http://icelandmonitor.mbl.is/news/news/2016/09/05/video_viking_sword_was_just_waiting_to_be_picked_up/

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The day is out there waiting for you to make of it what you will.

Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net

12/28/15 Report - Beaches Around The Treasure Coast. A Few Interesting Spots. How To Display And Wear Your Own Favorite Finds.

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

Two Detectorists and Family Near Low Tide Yesterday

There were really a lot of beach goers on the Treasure Coast yesterday.  And as you can see, there were a lot of detectorists too.  These guys looked like they might have got new detectors for Christmas.

A lot of snow birds are in town now.

I hated the sun and heat.  Give me wind, clouds and rain.  I like that much better.

Broad Flat Front Beach Near Low Tide Yesterday

This low front beach didn't look all bad.  It might have been worth checking with a good deep seeking detector.  I wouldn't be shocked if a few old items were found.

Rocks Showing Near Low Tide At Another Beach

This beach was not like the one shown at the top of the page.  It was softer and a little more convex.

There were some small less than one-foot cuts along the top of the beach here.  The cut ran for miles. This beach is actually getting back close to where it was years ago.  The rocks also show that the beach is back farther than it has been.  Additionally, up the beach a ways there was a definite dip that would definitely be worth checking.  I didn't have time yesterday when I was there.

Thanks to the full moon, we've been having some nice high tides and even some negative low tides.

Yesterday I found a nice old pot shard and a small old fossil just walking the beach without my detector.

I'm keeping my Treasure Coast beach conditions rating at a 1 but there are still some interesting spots out there.

---

Have you ever wanted to get your favorite coin mounted so you could wear and display it?  Maybe you've seen cobs or other coins mounted in expensive custom-made mounts.  There are other options. You don't have to spend a lot to wear your own finds.

Here is something neat.  It is a floating charm locket.

Floating Charm Locket With Top Off.

The front and back is transparent, and the front screws off so you can insert whatever small item will fit.  In the above picture, I am showing a two reale that was found last month.

Floating charm lockets come in different sizes.  The two reale fits in this one very nicely.

Display one coin one day and another some other day.  It is easy enough to switch items.

Locket With Reale Ready To Be Used As Pendant.

All you have to do is insert the item and screw the top on.

You can also get ready made bevels of different types that will fit coins.  Some are made of gold and other materials.

Rio Grande is a company that sells a large variety of such things.

---

I'm glad I can present authoritative research like Laura Strolia's article on the Potosi heart-shaped cobs. You won't find that information just anywhere.  It is original research that extends the existing body of knowledge.

Thanks Laura.

You might want to read her book on the Marigalera of the 1715 Fleet.  You can find it for purchase online.

You can also search this blog for her other writings that I have posted.

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Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net

12/17/15 Report - South Wind Brought Heat and Sand To The Treasure Coast Beaches. Metal Detector Advertised Return Policy.

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

I went out to visit a particular spot that was recently cut.  I had to walk about a mile to get there.  When I got there I saw two feet of new sand filling up the dip.  I did find a large piece of copper sheathing.  It was near the surface along with some shells.

Cuts can happen really quickly and they can disappear just as quickly.

John Brooks and Frederic Douglas had even more new sand today.  I couldn't believe my eyes.  It looked like we were back to mid-summer beach conditions.  There were a lot of shells near the high tide line.

The surf is down to around one foot today and tomorrow.  It will increase again this weekend, possibly up to as much as six feet.  The wind will also be shifting again.  I'm glad about that.  That south wind that has brought such hot December weather also dumped a lot of sand on our beaches.

I can't believe I was sweating on the beach in December.

I didn't get any pictures today.  I had to recharge my camera batteries.

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If you are thinking about a new metal detector for Christmas, one of the large mail order metal detector companies is advertising a hassle-free 30 day return policy.  Excluded were certain high-end models.

I'm always skeptical of ads, and I'm not sure how hassle-free it would actually be if you really tried to return a detector after thirty days.

One ad that is very misleading is Tesoro's life-time guarantee.  They actually won't repair your detector after they determine it is "obsolete."  I have two Tesoro detectors that have, according to them, out-lived the lifetime guarantee.  So as far as I'm concerned that life-time guarantee is a dishonest hoax.

Back to the 30 day hassle-free return policy.

The requirements specified in the ad are as follows.

• Most hobby metal detectors are eligible for a full refund, exchange or store credit if returned within 30 days of purchase. All professional line metal detectors such as commercial, industrial and security machines are not eligible for return. These non-returnable detectors include (but are not limited to) the following brands; JW Fishers, Lorenz, OKM, Tesoro, Fisher Research Labs, Blisstool, Minelab GPZ 7000 & all GPX Models, Nokta Professional Units and Aquascan Aquapulse.
• 
  
• Metal detector must be returned in its original packaging with all manufacturer accessories and promotional items. (Free accessories, giveaway products, promotional items, BOGOs and special offers). Customers will be charged "full sale price" for all missing or damaged accessories, giveaway products, promotional items, BOGOs and special offers. All items must be in working order and include the manufacturer’s original blank warranty and instruction manual. No damage to the machine and/or any of the accessories including no dents, scratches, rips and tears etc.
• 
  
• Returns must be made within 30 days of purchase date. A Return Authorization Number is required prior to shipping any product back for a refund.
• 
  
• Refunds will be issued to the same credit/debit card, gift certificate or other form of payment that was used at the time of the original transaction.
• 
  
• Customer will be responsible for all return shipping, handling and insurance fees.
• 
  

If it is determined that the returned metal detector has been damaged, contains missing parts and/or accessories then the customer may be subject to a repacking service fee of up to 30% of the machine’s retail value.

You can probably guess the name of the company.

I strongly suggest trying out a detector or getting a good live demonstration before buying a detector especially if you are new to detecting or don't know much about the detector you are buying.  If the return policy is really "hassle free" that could make me feel much easier about a purchase decision.

If any of you have trouble making returns, let me know and I'll post it so others know about it.

---

Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net

11/28/15 Report - Many Detectorists On Treasure Coast Saturday. Recent Finds. Beach Detecting Conditions Rating Still a 2.

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

Here is a new Treasure Coast beach find.  It is shown as found.

See if you can guess what it is.

I'll show it cleaned in a future post.  I have it clean enough now that I know what it is.

John Brooks Beach Friday.

There were a lot of people metal detecting today.  It was a nice day on a holiday weekend so that is what you would expect.

I talked to one fellow from Texas.  I saw detectorists from other states too.

Some beaches filled back in some over night.  John Brooks and Frederick Douglas were very poor today.

The water was high Friday night.  It got almost to the dunes at both John Brooks and Frederck Douglas parks,   John Brooks is shown in the photo below.

Seaweed Washed Back Over The Beach.

Cobs have been found before on the flat beach at John Brooks after periods of high water.  When that happens there are usually also a good number of shells behind the berm.

Vero South Beach Friday.
Thanks to Frank R. for this photo.

Six To Seven Foot Cliff South of Turtle Trail Friday Morning.

There was at least six inches or a foot of new sand on the beach at Turtle Trail Friday morning.  The black sand was gone too.

Rio Mar deteriorated some over night.

There was a lot of chatter about Bon Steel Park the past couple of days.  When the water gets into the dunes there, cobs can wash out.  The water was high last night, which is what you want to see on the beaches there.  I didn't visit Bon Steel myself so can't give a personal evaluation, but it sounds like you should check it out if you are in the neighborhood.

The surf will diminish a little tonight and Sunday.  The wind is supposed to be a little more northerly though. That isn't all bad.

Silver Turquoise Bracelet Found by Robert H.
Photo by Robert H.

That's it for now.

Thanks to Frank R. and Robert H. for their submissions.

I'm sticking with my "2" beach detecting conditions rating for now.

Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net