SAN PEDRO
By Capt. Dan Berg

Photos: Teddy Tucker holds coins from the San Pedro. Photo by Dan Berg. Teddy Tuckers famous gold cross from the San Pedro. Photo by Alan Marquardt. Bermuda wreck series postage stamp. Courtesy Postmaster General.

The 350 ton, Spanish noa San Pedro, was part of the Nueva Espana Flota on a voyage from Cartagena to Cadiz and under the command of Captain Hieronimo de Porras when she was wrecked in November of 1596.

In 1951, while looking for some lost fish traps, Teddy Tucker, spotted some cannons sitting on the seabed 30 feet below. Tucker raised the cannons, which were later sold to the government. For a while the site was referred to as Old Spaniard. Tucker realized his find was old but because of other projects didn't return to work the site for five years. He returned with Robert Canton and started to dig in the sand. What they found, according to Mark, in his book SHIPWRECKS IN THE AMERICAS, was the first major treasure recovery of the twentieth century. Within weeks, Tucker had found a 32 ounce gold bar, two small gold cakes and an emerald studded gold crucifix. By the time their work was finished, they had recovered a bronze mortar dated 1561, a gold bar plus countless other treasures including navigating instruments, pewter, tools, ceramic utensils, 2,000 silver coins, six pearl studded gold buttons, and rare Carib Indian weapons. The minted date of the latest coin was 1592. Mendel Peterson, in his book, HISTORY UNDER THE SEA, refers to Tucker's artifacts as the " Most significant Tudor period find of this century."; On the site, which Tucker and Canton located in 1951, no absolute positive identification has been found to determine the ship's true identity. All artifacts and research point to the ship being the San Pedro. The San Pedro was listed on documents at Madrid and Seville as being " Lost at Bermuda." The date fits Teddy's wreck, and her anchor and iron cannons indicate a merchant vessel rather then a galleon.

Years later, the famous Tucker emerald studded cross was stolen. At the time it was on display at the Aquarium museum. The theft was only discovered when Teddy Tucker went to select items to be displayed for the Queen's visit at the opening of the Maritime Museum in Dockyard. The thief had replaced the cross with a cheap plastic replica, and to this date the treasure has not been seen again.

This site is in a sand hole in only 15 to 30 feet of water. All that remains exposed are some timbers and a ballast pile.
 

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