The tale of pirate captain Jos Gaspar who, according to the stories, ravaged the west coast of Spanish Florida for 40 years is the inspiration for a bombastic plundering that continues from 1905. Some more information on the cruise of the USS, I did not find a reference to Gaspar in Gardner Allen's, I was always Told Jose Gaspar, was also known as Juan Gomez. He remembers their grandfather telling stories when they were children of Ernesto finding the treasure of Tampa Bay pirate legend Jose Gaspar. Jose Gaspar - A Real Pirate? | TreasureNet The Original Treasure . Jose Gaspar Treasure 2119 N Ocean Shore Blvd Flagler Beach FL 32136 (386) 439-3061 Claim this business (386) 439-3061 Website More Directions Advertisement Photos See More Hours Wed: 11am - 5pm Thu: 11am - 5pm Fri: 11am - 5pm Sat: 11am - 5pm Sun: 12pm - 5pm Website Take me there Jewelers Nice Shell Shop. JOSE GASPAR: 15 years later, Telemundo is still the only Spanish During the final combat, the majority of Gasparillas crew was killed, but there were 12 survivors 11 men and a cabin boy called Juan Gomez. " Mar 2021 We really enjoyed shopping here! The author of the pamphlet readily stated that the spectacular tale was a work of fiction with no genuine facts in it. The most famous Florida pirate was Jos Gaspar, known by his nickname Gasparilla. The Search for Florida's Lost Pirate - IMDb He even set up a blockade of the port of Charleston in South Carolina for 6 days. As the story goes, the pirate Jose Gaspar was hunting for the USS Enterprise in 1821; onboard was Juan Gmez, the man who lived to tell the tale. Who has not heard the rumor which has been going on in St. Augustine that Six Flags is coming to St. Johns County and will be constructed off of State Road 206? Jose Gaspar Treasure Co. 2119 N Oceanshore Blvd. Mike Lopez said his sister was not expecting to find a human hand, a treasure map, and gold coins. It's part of our family now.". Tampans have embraced Gasparilla for more than a century, whether or not the pirate Jose Gaspar ever came to town It's a huge juxtaposition from the quiet of the Touchton Map Library at the. All my curanderos, check out the first word on the second line play the song below for inspiration: Please support WTFFlorida.com by making a donation. And indeed there are serious problems with the stories of Gasparilla. A band of pirates in Wisconsin operated out of a cave on Hermit island. The treasure: Slave-turned-pirate Henri Caesar stole a ship in Haiti to seek his fortune on the Spanish Main and Florida waters. Jos Gaspar allegedly lived between 1756 and 1821 and was based on southwest Florida, on the edge of the Gulf of Mexico. His sister found a box in their grandfather's attic in Tampa, Fla., a few weeks ago while doing some spring cleaning. Similar Names. Lafayette Street, which is now Kennedy Boulevard is also labeled on the map. He renamed this ship Queen Anns Revenger which gave him one of the largest fleets on the East coast of America and Caribbean. So that's why we believe that it was Juan Gomez. Though details about his early life, motivations, and piratical exploits differ in various tellings, they agree that the 'Last of the Buccaneers" was a remarkably active pirate who amassed a huge . Maybe you can find one and claim the fame and wealth that will ultimilty accompany your successful efforts. A team of treasure hunters could be on the verge of unearthing the "world's largest treasure hoard," said to be worth over $20 billion. Other possible locations of Kidds treasure include Maryland in Druid Park, and Money Island off the coast of Connecticut is also claimed to be used by Kidd. What we do know is that he is considered a hero to some and a villain to others. The latter two locations being the most logical. His work appears here every third Monday; the views expressed. According to Floridian folklore, Gaspar was a fearsome pirate that operated out of a secret base in southwest Florida in the late 18th and early 19th . However there are several problems with the story which have led many to question whether Gasparilla as he was known was a real historical figure. Do you think there's buried treasure out there? Over and out from somewhere south, RumShopRyan. We lived not far from Gasparella Island and Charlotte Harbour.where the legend supposedly ended. My grandfather had a book on all these when I was younger. The ship at the center of it all: A history of the Jose Gasparilla II Treasure hunter Erin Melcher. Some records give him the honor of being what we would call an admiral. What remains of Jos Gaspar today are his stories and legends, but most significant of them all is the secret of these mysterious cherries. Gaspar is presented as dignified, noble in heart and rich and titled in some versions. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Before we get to the treasure hunt, let's touch on the historical background of Jose Gaspar and how a now infamous fictitious pirate became a Tampa legend. It does not store any personal data. Photos: Treasure Including Spanish Gold Found on Colombia Shipwreck $150 Million Dollar Treasure Found On A Beach By Accident Afterwards, he sailed his ship, the Floridablanca, to the Gulf Coast and set up a pirate base on what is now known as Gasparilla Island in Southwest Florida. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. He was sentenced to prison and eventually released. Plundering the high seas and ports alike resulted in vast riches for some of these ruthless criminals. Mike Lopez tells WFLA that his sister was. There's really no way to know which is the case," Maria wrote, in an email to WTSP-TV. The San Jose galleon was believed to have been . jose gaspar, coins, and treasuremap found. For whatever reason, burial of chests laden with gold and jewels seems to be the norm, but is there any pirate treasure left? Charlotte Harbor is an ideal spot to go treasure hunting. Jose Gaspar Treasure Company | Flagler Beach FL (PDF) The Real Pirate Billy Bowlegs: The Origins of the Billy Bowlegs Jos Gaspar, known by his nickname Gasparilla (supposedly lived c. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Gaspar was a rebel from an aristocratic upbringing. The Search For The Real Captain Morgan. ", Pirate treasure in grandpa's attic includes human hand. (story from treasurelore.com). There are many differing versions about the pirates origins and life, but there is no real historical evidence that he ever existed. From seashells to lost treasure, this shop has it all. Gasparilla not only granted Lopez permission but also bestowed his blessing on his long-time friend, providing a ship and several men to accompany him back to Spain. There are multiple stories about his life that vary greatly depending upon the source of the information, leading some to conclude that he was not a real person. Debbie gave us a great tip to hide the tooth in the sand and make our son think he found it. "The reason I believe in Gasparilla is because I believe in Juan Gomez," Mike Gattuso, a member of The Real Treasure Hunters, told Paluska. Lacking experience in seamanship, he and his crew of escaped slaves limited their raids to smaller ships and coastal villages but managed to amass a large amount of treasure, which was hidden in several caches on the . "I'm considering it," he said with a big smile. CBS affiliate WPEC-TV reported that 43-year-old treasure hunter Jonah Martinez located the coins using a . Historic Mysteries provides captivating articles on archaeology, history, and unexplained mysteries. Josh Gates sets sail for Florida chasing the long-lost treasure of bloodthirsty pirate Jose Gaspar. Rather than be captured by the United States Navy, he wrapped an anchor chain around his leg and jumped overboard, the heavy metal dragging him out of sight into the deep blue waters. There is another treasure said to be buried on Kelly Island in Delaware by James Gillian, a member of Kidds crew. However, he spotted a British merchant ship and could not resist one final prize. Gasparilla had fallen into a trap! Other than news articles, the first story ever published in print about the Story of Gasparilla was commissioned by the Charlotte Harbor & Northern Railroad. Legacy | Useppa Island This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 11 The Cuerdale Treasures- $2.6 Million. The Story of Gasparilla by ABC Action News on Scribd. Louisiana makes sense because during most of his time here, he was considered a fugitive by the US. Photos show a centuries-old shipwreck found off Colombia's coast carrying lost treasure worth billions of dollars, including gold coins and emeralds. Here is what we have been able to piece together about this controversial pirate. Millions of dollars have been found literally lying in front of people's feet, the world's beaches. John Gomez, also known as Juan Gomez and Panther John. The pirate, whose full name is Jos Gaspar, is a legend from the 18th and 19th century. 1. These recommended links below will help you save money and book your trip: We use all the companies listed here or on the resource page. This endeavor lasted only about 5 years when the us army came to visit Lafitte, asking him to leave. He successfully captured a few ships during his years long voyage. Legend has it that in the late 1700s, a pirate named Jose Gaspar kidnapped the Spanish princess Joseffa de Mayorga. But Gasparilla himself did not survive the final battle. In it, she introduced herself and wrote that her parents were. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. P.S. All had been going along fine for Gasparilla until the year 1822. Jose Gaspar commandeered the 'Floridablanca', the ship upon which he was serving, to commence his life of piracy. However, perhaps the most famous story of Gaspar concerns his death. However his name and supposed deeds are still celebrated to this day, not least with the annual Gasparilla Pirate Festival, which began in 1904 in Tampa, Florida, which honors his tale. These men witnessed the battle and when the pirate ship began to sink, they loaded this vast treasure onto small boats and escaped unnoticed to a place called Spanish Homestead around the Peace River. Pirate Blackbeard entered the history books in the early 1700s. "We do have some treasure maps, and we're working on them," Gattuso said. http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/f2/ferret-iii.htm, Florida's Pirate Jose Gaspar and his Treasure Story. Gaspar realized in this moment that he had found the treasure he was searching for. His headquarters were at Boca Grande, on what is today known as Gasparilla Island. His ship soon followed him to the watery depths. On my recent visit, I was on a shell mission to use for a hairpiece for a . Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. He did what all retired people do in Florida he fell ill one day and died. Tampa family finds pirate treasure in grandpa's attic - USA TODAY He supposedly buried 3 chests under a palm tree somewhere in the vicinity. Caesar was forced to push his pirate pack north to the Gulf of Mexico. The Pirates of Charlotte Harbor Blackbeard also spend some time in North Carolina, in fact he secured a Royal Pardon in the town of Bath. Finding a real human hand is probably not what the Lopezes had in mind, but thats exactly what this family from Florida found in their grandparents attic. How did the legend of Gaspar begin? I love this place built around 1640 . Evidently, though, the treasure is not. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Treasure hunters seeking Gasparilla's gold featured on Discovery and We actually located the great great, great, great-granddaughter of Juan Gomez. These stories really get your imagination scrambling about finding buried riches yourself. What is the story behind Gasparilla? - Promisekit.org 1. It's located on the north side of town, next door to the Turtle Shack cafe. Jose Gaspar Treasure Co | Flagler Beach, FL 32136 Most stories agree he was an aristocratic Spanish Navy Officer who later. Some of the add-ons on this site are powered by. Just . Some say that as this disguised ship was sailing by, the aging pirate and his crew were in the process of dividing up the spoils as an act of retirement. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); If anybody wants to start a treasure seach team, WTF Florida? I love this place built around 1640 . 15 Lost Treasures People Actually Found | TheRichest . Cleaning the dreaded attic turned up a darling wedding photo of the Lopezes grandparents, but it also uncovered some interesting but creepy finds. The Legend of Gasparilla and His Treasure is a gripping, heart-pounding action adventure that's akin to a modern-day Indiana Jones story. JOSE GASPAR TREASURE - 16 Photos - 2119 N Oceanshore Blvd, Flagler He vowed revenge on those who had framed him and was forced to turn to a life of piracy. The rest of the treasure remains hidden, waiting to be found. Before we get to the treasure hunt, let's touch on the historical background of Jose Gaspar and how a now infamous fictitious pirate became a Tampa legend. 5 Popular Mai Tai Recipes and How To Make Them, Mango Tango Cocktail Recipe Boat Drinks, Taste the New St. John Brewers Love City Hard Seltzer, A Day With Stormy Pirates Charters US Virgin Islands, An Island Interview With Caribbean Adventure Author, John H. Cunningham, Love Pets and a Free Place To Stay? May 4, 1904Gasparilla Pirate Festival / First event date. This story states that the vast treasure was actually siting on the beach in numerous chests waiting to be divided. There has been a lot of permanent damage to archaeological sites due to the misinformation about buried treasure in prehistoric mounds, and pushing some aspects of this myth may lead to others following suit (leading to arrests and seizures as well as loss of cultural information). The Severed Hand of Florida Pirate Jose Gaspar Found in Attic! He finally returned with his wife to find all but a handful of his crew had died. 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In all, he buried 13 casks and chests of treasure in the vicinity of his headquarters. "It's a bunch of heartbreak with little reward and a lot of imagination," said treasure hunter Erin Melcher. By Geoff Dobson. Ill post one a week Treasure Tuesdaysthis that lame? However, like Billy Bowlegs, Jose Gaspar the lack of historical evidence suggests he never existed.21 Although most Tampa residents and several books claim Jose Gaspar was authentic, so far no documentation has proven he was real.22 The Gasparilla Pirate Festival started in 1904, and since it started a full fifty years before the Billy Bowlegs . When you go in the attic you expect to find something old. He has taken his place in local folklore and culture and has an annual festival in his honor. They will be focused on the Florida coastline, right in my back yard. The team, known as the "Temple Twelve," have been . There are multiple stories about his life that vary greatly depending upon the source of the information, leading some to conclude that he was not a real person. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. And that's what we've been chasing. Okay, that was. Before deciding to pursue this ship, Gaspar left some of his men behind with the treasure. (4) The person who gets most of the credit for the Gasparilla myth is John Gomez who drowned around 1900 at the age of 122. One such account concerns Maria Louise, a lovely Spanish princess, who was returning to Spain after a journey to Mexico with 11 Mexican princesses who were to be educated and married in Spain. Around noon on the Gasparilla Day, members of YMKG set sail across Tampa Bay from near Ballast Point Park to downtown aboard the Jose Gasparilla, a 165' long flat . The San Jose, a Spanish treasure ship, was attacked and sunk by a British warship in June 1708. Icelanders and the Huldufolk: A Nation Gripped by Farinis Great Discovery: Is there a Lost City Top Ten Knights of King Arthurs Round Table. was reading about Jose Gaspar aka Gasparilla Pirate and one story tells of his friend Roderigo Lopez wanting to leave the Pirate life and Gaspar helped him leave, so it seems Maria Lopez great great grandfather may have been Roderigo. It's light on history and heavy on action, suspense, and intrigue. Once again our legend states that he hid 3 large chests among a group of trees on San Jose Island. Starting in 1911, though, the event's founders, Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla, switched .