He would even compensate for injuries if they were sustained while obtaining cargo from another ship. The theme and focal point of Gasparilla is a friendly "invasion" by mythical pirate Jos Gaspar and his crew, who are portrayed by members of Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla (YMKG), an organization created for this purpose in 1904. By booking through these links, the small commission we earn helps us bring you more Caribbean content so that you can save money and have a better island vacation. The Legend of the Pirate Gasparilla | Coastal History 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. 15 Lost Treasures People Actually Found | TheRichest Mysterious box containing a map, coins and a mummified hand found in Tampa Bay attic. When his attempts to capture Joseffa's heart were met with contempt, Gaspar used Useppa Island to imprison the proud princess, and the isle came to be known as "Joseffa's Island." Barron G. Collier You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Blackbeard captured an estimated 40 different ships and vessels in a little less than 2 years off the east coast of America and across the Caribbean. Top Image: Real pirate or later fiction? Powell showed us museum exhibits full of gold coins recovered from shipwrecks and explained how the legend of Jose Gaspar launched the Gasparilla Pirate Festival we know and love today. As with any tale of vast hidden riches, these stories can not be 100 percent verified to even exist. Mysterious Pirate Treasure Box Found in Tampa Bay Attic - Cult of Weird The latter two locations being the most logical. He confirmed that indeed the Lopezes have found a real human hand, but as for Gasparilla, that was a myth. His theft discovered, he deserted his wife and children, gathered together a nice lot of cut-throats, stole the prize vessel of the Spanish Fleet, and escaped. The city of Tampa hosts a Gasparilla Day each year. Jose Gaspar (GC3FZAF) was created by seabreezedrive on 4/1/2012. I was totally blown away," said Lopez. His theft discovered, he deserted his wife. The eerie discovery of a mysterious wooden box bearing a disembodied mummified hand with a ring on the wedding ring finger, an old map of the Tampa area and several coins has stirred up memories of pirate Jose Gaspar. Gaspar's Lost Treasure - WTF Florida? The treasure on Money Island is said to hidden in the crevice of a large rock that is only visible during low tide. Another logical location said to hide this cache of valuables is in South Carolina. Treasure Unknown is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Finally Pirates Cove, which is on the southern tip of Connecticut may house these valuable chests. Overview. While in Florida, Caesar palled up with Jose Gaspar, better known as "Gasparilla.". (386) 439-3061. We will discuss a few of them here. . Since 1904, pirates have invaded the City of Tampa to kick off the Gasparilla Pirate Festival. His ship soon followed him to the watery depths. For whatever reason, burial of chests laden with gold and jewels seems to be the norm, but is there any pirate treasure left? ", According to the railroad brochure, the "narrative was compiled by the writer from incidents told by John Gomez, better known as Panther Key John, a brother-in-law of Gasparilla and a member of his crew, who died at the age of 120 years, at Panther Key, Florida, 12 miles below Marco, in the year 1900; also from records left by John Gomez, Jr., the cabin-boy on Gasparilla's ship, who was kidnapped by Gasparilla and who witnessed the death of this pirate and all on board his vessel. Do you think there's buried treasure out there? He soon picked a good spot in Charlotte Harbor, and began to build his pirate kingdom. A band of pirates in Wisconsin operated out of a cave on Hermit island. Treasure hunters search for Jose Gaspar's lost riches - Tampa Bay Times 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). Read another story from us:Norways Saint Olaf Uncovered: Archaeologists Believe They have Discovered the Shrine of the Lost Viking King. But, now? During his 38 year career as a pirate, Gaspar attacked over four hundred ships in the Gulf waters of Florida, including supposedly the vessel carrying $11.75 million in gold bullion that the United States had paid Napoleon for the Louisiana Purchase. According to some versions of the story, Gaspar started as a troubled adolescent who kidnapped a little girl for ransom. The leaflet establishes Gaspars legend, claiming that he chose Gasparilla Island as the best of the islands in Charlotte Harbor to establish his base. "But, what we believe is that Juan Gomez had ties to him. It is said that he buried a multitude of treasure along the Pamlico Sound and on Bluff Point. So are you juiced up and just caught the gold fever? Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9_Gaspar, Sachs, S, 2022. Charlotte Harbor is an ideal spot to go treasure hunting. The items found by his sister were neatly packed inside a wooden box. Gasparilla the Pirate and his Charlotte Harbor Treasure Rumor has it, that the stolen goods are still hidden somewhere on the island. First of all there was a Spanish Catholic missionary named Gasparillo that had a mission on the island that bears his name. Upon hearing this news, he unloaded his spoils and set sail for America (where he was later arrested and sent back to England). The most famous Florida pirate was Jos Gaspar, known by his nickname Gasparilla. Some speculate that this is remnants of Rogers great treasure. Seeing the writing on the wall, he decided to scuttle his own ship and hide with his crew in the forrest. If the legend is true, Gasparilla was extremely successful and plundered more than 400 ships. For one, there is no evidence of his pirate empire. "So, it's interesting how Tampa, in a sense, stole; we were pirates ourselves. Jose Gaspar: Myth or Pirate? Quiz | People | 10 Questions - Fun Trivia These stories and locations presented are based on our research but should be taken with some skepticism. And to this day, Jose Gaspar returns on board his pirate ship every year to capture the city.". Gaspar was a rebel from an aristocratic upbringing. He then sailed back across the world, landing on what we now know as our home of Tampa Bay. 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. Ancient Viking treasures found in England actually seems to be a thing, as many of relative value have been found throughout the years. Sometime later a large sum of gold coins was found near the Spanish Homestead. Chasing Treasure: The myth of Gasparilla and the real-life man Juan Gomez. A Tampa, Florida family going through their grandparent's attic made an interesting discovery: a treasure map, some coins, and an old human hand! The Search for Florida's Lost Pirate - IMDb While Gaspar chained the anchor of his ship to his waist and dove into the water to avoid giving the enemy the satisfaction of killing him, Gmez lived to tell the tale. Dropa Stones: Are They 12,000 Year Old Discs? Here is what we have been able to piece together about this controversial pirate. With Sandy Toes and Salty Kisses, How We Became Mr. and Mrs. Maybe you can find one and claim the fame and wealth that will ultimilty accompany your successful efforts. It's light on history and heavy on action, suspense, and intrigue. There are a few pirates who may have hidden treasure at this spot, including Billy. Florida's Pirate Jose Gaspar and his Treasure Story 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. Chasing Treasure: The myth of Gasparilla and the real-life man Juan Gomez However, even from the first we run into different versions of the story. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Shopping, Gift & Specialty Shops. He would then sell these items to local customers in east Texas. Caesar was forced to push his pirate pack north to the Gulf of Mexico. Jos Gaspar - Academic Dictionaries and Encyclopedias He quickly worked his way up the ranks of the Spanish Navy and became an officer. The team searched the waters at low tide for a canon buried in the sand. When Jose Gaspar died, he supposedly left an untold fortune in buried treasure somewhere along the Florida coast. Lets do this. He vowed revenge on those who had framed him and was forced to turn to a life of piracy. It does not store any personal data. Treasure hunter and researcher Lauren Gattuso sits on the boat as it heads toward an area where her and a small group of treasure hunters believe lies lost treasure. Evidently, though, the treasure is not. Louisiana makes sense because during most of his time here, he was considered a fugitive by the US. Jos Gaspar. Born in 1756 in Spain, Gaspar served in the Spanish Navy until a mutiny in 1783. Once it was in print, people kept spreading it as absolute truth. "I'm considering it. GC3FZAF Jose Gaspar (Traditional Cache) in Florida, United States Have you ever hunted a treasure story? | Friendly Metal Detecting Forum Barnes & Noble Booksellers 10 Bookstores Music & DVDs Toy Stores Pirate Treasure on Goodland in Southwest Florida - LITTLE BAR Restaurant Photos: Treasure Including Spanish Gold Found on Colombia Shipwreck According to historians, it was a real man named Juan "Panther John" Gomez from Gasparilla Island, or as he was known locally, John, or Panther Key John. They will be focused on the Florida coastline, right in my back yard. Some records give him the honor of being what we would call an admiral. Legend states they marked a tree by driving a sword into it. His work appears here every third Monday; the views expressed. In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, no pirate was more feared in the southern United States than Jose Gaspar. Supposedly this fort had hidden tunnels leading under the fort. What you don't expect to find is treasure. Pirate Photo byScott UmstattdonUnsplash, Lafitte Photo By Anonymous Rosenberg Library, Galveston, Texas, Public Domain, Skully Photo byLuke SouthernonUnsplash. 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. Jose Gaspar Treasure Company | Flagler Beach FL The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Treasure on Sunken Spanish Galleon Could Be Biggest Ever - History Treasure hunter Erin Melcher. Pirate Blackbeard entered the history books in the early 1700s. The team, known as the "Temple Twelve," have been . 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? http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/f2/ferret-iii.htm, Florida's Pirate Jose Gaspar and his Treasure Story. When he was captured and offered the option of going to prison or joining the navy, he chose the latter, serving with distinction for several years before organizing a mutiny against a dictatorial captain and fleeing to Florida with a stolen ship. The pirate is one of the most notorious in the history of pirates. There's really no way to know which is the case," Maria wrote, in an email to WTSP-TV. Oak Island the Strange, the Bizarre, and Maybe the "Truth! Upon returning he discovered that he had been labeled a pirate by the British government. Jose Lopez's sister, Maria, was cleaning out the attic of a home owned by her great-grandparents, Eve and Ernesto Lopez, in Tampa's historic Ybor City area, when she stumbled upon the box, WFLA-TV reports. Answer: True This is an area where the stories of Gaspar are for once consistent. He weighed in on the treasure map as well and believes it was a blueprint for the area during the 1920s and 1930s, but nothing more. He continued the diving operation, but while they were working, his wife came down with a fever and died. He told of the looting of ships, the massacre of innocents, and last of all, when his life had nearly passed, he told the story of 'The Little Spanish Princess,' whose name he did not remember. There are numerous legends and tales of buried treasure on this island. Jose was also an officer of high standing in the naval affairs of the Spaniards. 2009-2021 Historic Mysteries. He met and married his wife in New York and had 2 daughters. To learn more, visit our. They took the box to a few antique stores. The Gaspar myth in the very beginning was tied to the Charlotte Harbor area. Jose Gaspar Treasure Co. 2119 N Oceanshore Blvd. ", The story of Gaspar begins in 1782; the brochure states, "he stood high in the graces of the Spanish Court, so high indeed that he niched the crown jewels. By clicking Accept Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Enjoy. Show more. The legend of pirate Jose Gaspar, or Gasparilla as he is sometimes known, is shrouded in mystery. It's located on the north side of town, next door to the Turtle Shack cafe. Lafayette Street, which is now Kennedy Boulevard is also labeled on the map. Jos Gaspar - Wikiwand While doing some spring cleaning a few weeks ago, Maria Lopez made an unusual discovery in her grandfathers attic. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. This happened in the year 1782. RECOMMENDED: The legend of Jose Gaspar and the history of Gasparilla. Galleon of Gold. ", The story said Gaspar hid in the Charlotte Harbor area, and "while taking the census of 1900, two gentlemen stopped at Panther Key and spent the night with *John Gomez. One day Gasparilla prepared to attack a merchantman, but to his surprise, it turned out to be a United States man-of-war. 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? When a ship was taken, the people aboard were not immediately murdered but instead offered the option of dying or joining Gasparillas crew. He told where the body would be found and a sketch was prepared under his direction, and in recent years in the exact location as described, the skeleton of a beheaded woman was found.". There is a new book out "Pirates of Southwest Florida, Fact and Legend" by James F. and Sarah Jane Kaserman that debunks some of the stories of Gasparilla. At The Jose Gaspar Treasure Co. visitors and locals can find treasures of all kinds. Whether he was his cabin boy, like it states in the story, or maybe he might have been Gasparilla himself because of all the treasure maps that we have found. Most confirm that the "Floridablanca" was the name of his pirate ship and the one that he served upon in the Navy. The notorious pirate then committed suicide by wrapping a heavy chain around him and jumping over the side. 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 . Is There Any Pirate Treasure Left? - treasure unknown The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Blackbeard also spend some time in North Carolina, in fact he secured a Royal Pardon in the town of Bath. My grandfather had a book on all these when I was younger. Interesting history topics are just a click away. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. jose gaspar, coins, and treasuremap found. | TreasureNet The Original The Pirates of Charlotte Harbor Debbie gave us a great tip to hide the tooth in the sand and make our son think he found it. There have been many stories told of treasure Captain Kidd buried back in America. His theft discovered, he deserted his wife and children, gathered together a nice lot of cut-throats, stole the prize vessel of the Spanish fleet, and escaped. What year did Gasparilla start? As promised here is the start of your Pirate Treasure stories. Starting in 1911, though, the event's founders, Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla, switched . If marriage was selected, there would be a ceremony, and the marriage promise would be strictly enforced. 1. There are numerous tales and stories of pirate treasures hidden thought the world, some of which are not attributed to any particular pirate. 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. The story was included in a brochure in 1900 for a hotel on Gasparilla Island, where the pirate supposedly stored his vast treasures in a hidden den that had never been found. Website. As mentioned above one of the rumored locations for his treasure is on Woodland Beach in Delaware. The rest of the treasure remains hidden, waiting to be found. So where did Blackbeard hide his treasures? Find the treasure, don't report it, melt it down or sell it on the black market using a different name. 1. Latest Blog . On my recent visit, I was on a shell mission to use for a hairpiece for a . Professional blogger, rum judge, consultant, marketer, and consumer of blue water beauty. This particular lost treasure consists of a bunch of silver coins, ingots and even pieces of jewelry. The most notorious and successful pirate was Jose Gaspar, better known as Gasparilla. Here Lafitte had a very fair treasure distribution policy that everyone seemed to like. Hand in Tampa Attic Stirs Up Memories of Dread Pirate Gaspar It seems the mythical pirate was a tall tale concocted by a man named Juan Gmez. Gasparilla fell in love with Jeffries while on land, but she informed him that she had fallen in love with one of his crew, Batista Fuentes, a handsome and well-educated man from a famous family. Jos Gaspar allegedly lived between 1756 and 1821 and was based on southwest Florida, on the edge of the Gulf of Mexico. Buumi . Icelanders and the Huldufolk: A Nation Gripped by Farinis Great Discovery: Is there a Lost City Top Ten Knights of King Arthurs Round Table. He was most likely a sailor for the English Navy who became unemployed and turned to a life of piracy. He finally returned with his wife to find all but a handful of his crew had died. (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. 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. Pricing is not too high. Texas is also a logical location for this pirate to bury treasure. You must log in or register to reply here. The ship contained $1,000,000 in assorted treasure, and should be there today. . Most of the suspected locations are in and around the state of Florida. Go find it, unbury it, take tons of pictures, bury it back again, and prove to the world that you found it. 128 were here. Leaving Spain at an early age, he sailed to the West Coast of Florida. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The most notorious and successful pirate was Jose Gaspar, better known as Gasparilla. He did what all retired people do in Florida he fell ill one day and died. However, there is another story, that has some validity, of what happened to his treasure. May 4, 1904Gasparilla Pirate Festival / First event date. He relocated to Galveston Island around 1817 where he set up a pirate empire. We have one with Gomez's name on it. By Geoff Dobson. He remembers their grandfather telling stories when they were children of Ernesto finding the treasure of Tampa Bay pirate legend Jose Gaspar. When Gasparilla requested that they accompany him and his crew on a raid, the two young lovers assumed they would be slaughtered. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". The Search For The Real Captain Morgan. The battle raged and the story goes that as Jose Gaspar realized the inevitable, he stood on the bow of the ship and stated something like Gaspar dies by his own hands. It appears Philip Gosse got the story from Bradlee's book. John Gomez, also known as Juan Gomez and Panther John. Ye be walkin the plank if ye so think. In or around 1806 the brothers arrived in New Orleans Louisiana and were licensed privateers operating in the Gulf of Mexico. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. This activity is a great way to enjoy some peaceful quite time outdoors or can be a unique experience for 8 Super Fun Family Treasure Hunt Ideas: With Real Treasure. The Search for Florida's Lost Pirate: With Josh Gates, Shamus Warren, Rodney Kite-Powell, Michael Gattuso. And she actually had maps, and she had stories that were passed down to the family about these treasures. All rights reserved. The history of Gasparilla and legacy of Jose Gaspar | wtsp.com St. Vincent Island off the coast of Florida is said to have been an island frequented by early pirates. Gasparilla had decided to retire following the sale of Florida to the United States, and was dividing his treasure (valued at six times the purchase price of the entire state of Florida) between his crew. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. His sister found a box in their grandfather's attic in Tampa, Fla., a few weeks ago while doing some spring cleaning. Our knowledge of Jean and his brother Pierre begins in the early 1800s. Strap yourself in for a wild ride and buy this international bestselling book today! It may not display this or other websites correctly. Peace River treasure hunters make cable TV debut in search of With his crew of cut-throat mercenaries, the last of the buccaneers terrorized shipping in the Gulf of Mexico for years, striking from his secret Florida base. Jose Gaspar Treasure Co - Tripadvisor He has written for 8 years in a variety of fields including history, health and politics. In this time Spain controlled a huge swathe of the Americas and Gaspar grew rich. Paluska and ABC Action News photojournalist Reed Moeller took a 20-minute ferry ride from Pine Island to Useppa Island, the location where Gaspar is said to have beheaded a Spanish Princess. The most famous Florida pirate was Jos Gaspar, known by his nickname Gasparilla. A treasure said to be worth $30 million. A fortune worth $1 million when it was hidden in 2010 is waiting to be picked up somewhere in the Rocky Mountains just a few miles from Santa Fe, New Mexico. Gasparilla seized their ship, as well as their 11 dowries, but fell madly in love with the Spanish princess. Jose Gaspar Treasure Co (Flagler Beach) - All You Need to Know BEFORE 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. We have seven maps.". When it comes to the legend of Jose Gaspar, Diff told us to "be cautious that the information you present as there are lots of versions of this story and everyone's version is 'true.' 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. https://www.cultofweird.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/pirate-treasure-hand.jpg, https://www.cultofweird.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/cultofweird-new-logo.png, Mysterious Pirate Treasure Box Found in Tampa Bay Attic, February 17, 2023 - 9:45 pm by dEBRINA bLACKMOON. The Legend of Jose Gaspar. Jose Gaspar has come in handy for parades and celebrations. | Privacy Policy | Contact Us | DMCA Notice, This website uses cookies to improve your experience. As with any treasure hunting adventure, be sure and obtain permission from any applicable parties before your hunt begins. Just . 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. Treasure hunters seeking Gasparilla's gold featured on Discovery and This hoard was allegedly buried by a group of pirates in the early 1800s. The family thinks the hand belongs to famous Tampa Bay pirate Jose Gaspar.