Florida's Paradise and Suncoast
areas are home to countless
shipwrecks, many still undiscovered.
Submerge yourself in Florida's
nautical history with a sail located,
back in time.
Regina Sugar Barge Wreck
is 75-foot barge located in shallow water
about 100-yards off of Bradenton Beach,
can be identified by a metal post emerging
from the water. A lso known as the Molasses
Barge, the converted sugar barge sank during
a storm in 1940. e Regina is Florida's
10th Shipwreck Under water A rchaeological
Preser ve.
Coordinates: N 27° 28.184 W 082° 42.071
Blackthorn
A USCG seagoing buoy tender collided with
the tanker, Capricorn, in Tampa Bay, in the
Egmont channel. e wreck was raised and
re-sunk off of Clear water on Januar y 28,
1980.
Coordinates: N 27° 52′ 34″ W 83° 11′ 16″
Florida's First Explorers
Famous
Shipwrecks
Off the
West Coast
he west coast of Florida shares a rich and storied maritime
histor y that dates back centuries. Once a haven and home to
buccaneers, gold-seek ing conquistadors, and fishermen, our area still
celebrates its maritime roots with annual festivals and landmarks.
e first explorer to sail to Florida was Juan Ponce de León. In 1513,
aer already exploring Puerto R ico and neighboring Caribbean
islands, he was hired by the Spanish Crown to search for the
rumored Fountain of Youth. His ship landed in St. Augustine
where he searched in vain for the mysterious flowing fountain with
its restorative powers. e accidental discover y of new land led to
Spain claiming Florida for itself and establishing the first permanent
Spanish selement
In 1539, Hernando de Soto began the most extensive exploration of
Florida's west coast, mak ing Tampa Bay a port to unload supplies and
soldiers. He and his men spent years searching for Native A merican's
wealth but did not find anything. A lthough these expeditions were
fruitless, they helped to develop the Europeans knowledge of the
New World. Many of DeSoto's original trail sites that he explored
bear his name today including the DeSoto National Memorial proud
descendents of the original selers and fishermen in the area.
By Lexi Allen
HistorY
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