SAN ANTONIO
By Capt. Dan Berg

The 300 ton Portuguese merchant nao San Antonio, was owned by Fernandino de Verar and under charter to the Spanish fleet. She was enroute from Cartagena to Cadiz with a cargo, according to Marx's book, SHIPWRECKS IN THE AMERICAS," of 5,000 hides, 1,200 quintals of brazil wool, 6,000 pounds of indigo, 30,000 pounds of tobacco, 5,000 pounds of sarsaparilla, "and 5,000 pounds of gold and silver and was armed with  12 cannons.  The San Antonio was wrecked on the west reefs of Bermuda on September 12, 1621. Only 120 of her crew made it to shore. These survivors were soon beaten and tortured by local wreckers and forced to tell of the treasure the San Antonio had carried. Wreckers under the direction of Bermuda's Governor Butler recovered her anchors, four swivel guns, 11 cannons and almost all of her gold. Governor Butler left Bermuda on his own vessel shortly after the salvage operation, before his term was over. Suspicion has always been that he made off with the treasure.

In 1960, Teddy Tucker spotted something in a sand pocket while on a fishing trip. He made a quick dive and found a cannon. Immediately he knew he had found yet another shipwreck. Together with Peter Stackpole and Robert Canton, he worked the 20 foot deep wreck site. Together they recovered pieces of pottery, musket shot, coins, a gold chain, navigational dividers, swords and an emerald mounted ring.
 

The information listed above was taken with permission from the Book:
BERMUDA SHIPWRECKS,  ISBN # 0-9616167-4-1
A Vacationing Divers Guide to Bermudas Shipwrecks,
by Dan and Denise Berg, 6x9 softcover,73 pages.
Retail $14.95

 

Now also Available as an instant download printable PDF eBook

BERMUDA SHIPWRECKS ebook A Vacationing Divers Guide to Bermudas Shipwrecks Buy Now  only $9.95 4.5 MB instant download, printable  PDF file by Dan and Denise Berg, 6x9, 73 page downloadable ebook. From the first quarter of the 16th century, Bermuda became a landmark for Spanish ships sailing back to Spain from the New World. The desire to sight Bermuda to confirm their position often ended their voyage as they wrecked on Bermuda's outer reefs. To this day Bermuda's treacherous reefs have taken their toll on shipping. The reefs have claimed vessels ranging from ocean lines to small fishing boats. Bermuda Shipwrecks is the most comprehensive, accurate, illustrated collection of information, photographs, sketches and stories ever written about the legendary wrecks around Bermuda. Bermuda Shipwrecks includes over 100 illustrations comprised of 61 sensational color photos, 17 rare b&w historical images, 19 stamps, 4 sketches plus one map. Bermuda Shipwrecks contains a wealth of enlightening information that gives the readers a nostalgic glimpse into the history and present condition of over 55 of Bermuda's most popular Shipwrecks.  Check out Capt. Dan's other shipwreck and Diving eBooks