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. In it, she introduced herself and wrote that her parents were. "We go after Juan Gomez because everything, all the treasures and everything we've come through, is tied to him. No contemporaneous mention of his existence or achievements has ever been found in Spanish or American ship logs, court documents, newspapers, or other archives, and no tangible items associated with Gaspar have been unearthed in the area where he is said to have operated. During this time a woman of the royal family, rumored to be the kings daughter-in-law sought the attention of this young naval officer. ", Pirate treasure in grandpa's attic includes human hand. Just like most pirates, there is little known about his early life. He spoke to local TV news network WFLA about the discovery, and the story kept getting stranger. If we find that buried treasure together, we can split the booty among all of our readers and we never have to work again. Upon hearing this news, he unloaded his spoils and set sail for America (where he was later arrested and sent back to England). "But if you're gonna make up the myth, you know, go big, and so why not make him, you know, all pirates rolled into one and, you know, the baddest of them all," Rodney Kite-Powell, a historian at the Tampa Bay History Center and Director of the Touchstone Map Library said. 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? We thought that was awesome. Leading a group of escaped convicts, Gaspar with his stolen ship established a home base in 1783 in the area of Charlotte Harbor, north of the present day Fort Myers on an Island he named "Gasparilla." He is said to have also taken that name for himself as it means "Gaspar the outlaw." This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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. "It's a bunch of heartbreak with little reward and a lot of imagination," said treasure hunter Erin Melcher. Jose was also an officer of high standing in the naval affairs of the Spaniards. But they know long-lost treasures and artifacts are out there. Gaspar apparently did not share this attraction and instead gave his attention to other women of the court. Professional blogger, rum judge, consultant, marketer, and consumer of blue water beauty. The first written account of Gaspar was written in 1900 when the Charlotte . The map is estimated to be from the 1930s and shows the Tampa area. ", 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. Find the treasure, report it, and go to jail for committing a 3rd Degree Felony. Jose Gaspar (GC3FZAF) was created by seabreezedrive on 4/1/2012. Jos Gaspar, also known by his nickname Gasparilla , is an apocryphal Spanish pirate who terrorized the Gulf of Mexico from his base in southwest Florida during Florida's second Spanish period . 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. A few months ago, Gattuso found a Calusa bone tool that is now part of the Useppa Island museum's collection. Legend has it that Gasparilla spotted a huge ship sailing in the distance. Jos Gaspar, known by his nickname Gasparilla (supposedly lived c. JOSE GASPAR: Kern County makes history, and in a good way Dec 18, 2022 The 8-year-old student was curios so she wrote a letter. Just a salty pirate looking to explore and document the wonders of the Caribbean. Perhaps this suggested location is merely a case in mistaken identity. One day Gasparilla prepared to attack a merchantman, but to his surprise, it turned out to be a United States man-of-war. It's a Small size geocache, with difficulty of 3.5, terrain of 5. The author of the pamphlet readily stated that the spectacular tale was a work of fiction with no genuine facts in it. Much of his treasure was carried to him up the Peace River. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Contributing columnist Jose Gaspar is a news anchor/reporter for Telemundo Bakersfield and KGET. He was sentenced to prison and eventually released. New Castle Island in Delaware is said to house treasure hidden by pirates from Madagascar in 1699. Ancient Viking treasures found in England actually seems to be a thing, as many of relative value have been found throughout the years. Oak Island: Legends of Pirates and Treasure, Barbarossa the Pirate: Scourge of the Mediterranean, Flying Dutchman: Phantom Ship, Legend and Sightings, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9_Gaspar, https://www.wfla.com/news/gasparilla/history-of-gasparilla-jose-gaspar-his-krewe/, https://ymkg.com/the-legend-of-jose-gasparilla/. We are constantly looking for opportunities to metal detect, magnet fish, pan for gold, and search for real life lost treasures. The men were executed but Gomez was to be the final survivor of this piratical outfit. It seems the mythical pirate was a tall tale concocted by a man named Juan Gmez. "I'm considering it. Gaspar was a rebel from an aristocratic upbringing. Website. 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. According to other versions of the narrative, Gaspar was a nobleman who rose through the ranks of the Spanish Royal Navy and became a councilor to King Charles III of Spain. Florida at this time was in its Second Spanish Period which runs from 1783 to 1821. What year did Gasparilla start? 2. "Possibly keep it forever. Legend has it that in the late 1700s, a pirate named Jose Gaspar kidnapped the Spanish princess Joseffa de Mayorga. JavaScript is disabled. You must log in or register to reply here. Do secret rooms conceal unknown treasures? According to the sources we studied, Gaspar was probably born in Spain in 1756. Louisiana makes sense because during most of his time here, he was considered a fugitive by the US. From real buried treasure, to massive pearl finds, these . He has taken his place in local folklore and culture and has an annual festival in his honor. I love this place built around 1640 . This characterization continues through the stories of Gasparilla as a pirate. Lafitte was wanted by the US government for they deemed his acts as piracy, not privateering. Gaspar did not exist, but never mind that. The team used metal detectors and shovels but didn't find anything. On the Hawaiian island of Oahu there is said to be six chests buried along a stone wall somewhere around Kaena Point. Wikipedia, 2022. Josh joins marine archaeologists and treasure hunters working to crack the mysteries of the pirate's life so they can find the riches he left behind. Jos Gaspar, known by his nickname Gasparilla (supposedly lived c. 1756 - 1821), was a purported Spanish pirate, the "last of the Buccaneer s," who is claimed to have raided the west coast of Florida during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. 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. If marriage was selected, there would be a ceremony, and the marriage promise would be strictly enforced. Go find it, unbury it, take tons of pictures, bury it back again, and prove to the world that you found it. Rumors take on a life of their own and ultimately cause hurt or expense. 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. Gattuso leads a a small group called the The Treasure Hunters who spend their weekends hiking the wilderness near the Peace River in search of lost treasure believed to have been left behind by Jose Gaspar. Retail store with the following - shells, shellcraft, wood carvings, shark teeth and jaws,. Ye be walkin the plank if ye so think. It appears Philip Gosse got the story from Bradlee's book. We also participate in programs from eBay, CJ, Bluehost, Clickbank, ShareASale, and other sites. Canceled2021 Gasparilla Pirate Festival / Date By Geoff Dobson. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); If anybody wants to start a treasure seach team, WTF Florida? Here is what we have been able to piece together about this controversial pirate. The most notorious and successful pirate was Jose Gaspar, better known as Gasparilla. What Became of Anne Bonny, Irish Pirate of the Caribbean? Upon returning he discovered that he had been labeled a pirate by the British government. Bald Point is another hotspot but for rumors of pirate treasure. We will discuss a few of them here. When it comes to spring cleaning, its always nice to have a spare hand to help. jose gaspar, coins, and treasuremap found. Once again our legend states that he hid 3 large chests among a group of trees on San Jose Island. He met and married his wife in New York and had 2 daughters. Kidd set sail for England and was commissioned as a privateer by the English government. With Sandy Toes and Salty Kisses, How We Became Mr. and Mrs. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Cleaning the dreaded attic turned up a darling wedding photo of the Lopezes grandparents, but it also uncovered some interesting but creepy finds. Barnes & Noble Booksellers 10 Bookstores Music & DVDs Toy Stores Once he was a few hundred meters away, the British flag came down and the American flag rose up the mast. He even set up a blockade of the port of Charleston in South Carolina for 6 days. To learn more, visit our. Some historians say Caesar has between two-and-six million dollars of treasure stashed on Pine Island. Josh is on a mission to find Jos Gaspar's hidden treasure. New details have emerged about the San Jose, a Spanish galleon sunk by British ships 300 years ago. Available at: https://www.wfla.com/news/gasparilla/history-of-gasparilla-jose-gaspar-his-krewe/, ymkg, 2022. Leaving soon? This story seems to border on the outer limits, but a local historian doesnt believe that the hand belongs to the famed pirate. When Jose Gaspar died, he supposedly left an untold fortune in buried treasure somewhere along the Florida coast. Similar Names. So that's why we believe that it was Juan Gomez. The pirate is one of the most notorious in the history of pirates. There is another treasure said to be buried on Kelly Island in Delaware by James Gillian, a member of Kidds crew. Sign up for our WTFF Newsletter to get weird Florida news delivered straight to your email: WTFF News: Because regular news is depressing. When a ship was taken, the people aboard were not immediately murdered but instead offered the option of dying or joining Gasparillas crew. The prices seem lower, but not my thing. Copyright 2023 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. One of the most popular pirates in Florida folklore is Jose' Gaspar. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Oak Island the Strange, the Bizarre, and Maybe the "Truth! As the legends go, the famed Spanish pirate Jose Gaspar, better known as Gasparilla, used the island as his home base of operations throughout the late 18th century and into the early 19th century. We have seven maps.". It's located on the north side of town, next door to the Turtle Shack cafe. Read another story from us:Norways Saint Olaf Uncovered: Archaeologists Believe They have Discovered the Shrine of the Lost Viking King. 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. 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. 6 reviews of Jose Gaspar Treasure "This sweet little shell shop is nestled in along A1A and the beautiful Atlantic shoreline. link to 8 Super Fun Family Treasure Hunt Ideas: With Real Treasure. His methods were black and bloody, and he stands out among all the pirates who used Florida to bury their wealth. They took the box to a few antique stores. His flagship was eventually ran aground and he was ultimately killed by English warships off the East Coast of America. This is the spot for all of your seaside decorating needs. 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 This allegedly infuriated the young lady who devised a plan to essentially frame Gaspar for stealing some jewels. . A Beginners Guide to Magnet Fishing: 15 Sure Fire Tips. The allures of Jose Gaspar's mythical treasure and Tampa's giant pirate parade have pulled strongly on producers of reality television lately. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. Michael Gattuso and his crew got a cable debut Wednesday night in an episode of Discovery Channel's show "Expedition Unknown." 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. Just . 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. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. You must log in or register to reply here. There are a few pirates who may have hidden treasure at this spot, including Billy. We've been chasing his treasures. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Enjoy. Having spent some time here, Blackbeard built a fort near a swamp west of Charleston. wtfflorida.com/information/gaspars-lost-treasure/. A few years later, he fell out of favor with the government and turned to a life of piracy. 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. What year did Jose Gaspar invade Tampa? These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. He remembers their grandfather telling stories when they were children of Ernesto finding the treasure of Tampa Bay pirate legend Jose Gaspar. Dodge and Hardee get credit for creating Gasparilla, and Hardee and the krewe more so for crafting Gaspar's backstory (including giving him the first name Jose and a death date of 1821). Gilchrist intended to turn the area into a community. Treasure hunting can be a fun and exciting activity. Jose Gaspar Treasure 6 Jewelry Gift Shops Bookstores $ "We went in looking for a lite shark tooth for our son. Although Gasparilla was a well-educated, well-dressed pirate and ladies man, things did not always go as planned. Aged Rum. In Polish origin the meaning of name Gaspar is : Treasure keeper Spanish Meaning : The name Gaspar is an Spanish baby name. However, this treasure is also attributed to the infamous pirate Blackbeard. This does not stop the legend of Gasparilla from living on in the Florida folklore; the story of his life is even retold in a hotel brochure at the site where supposedly his treasure was buried, The Huffington Post reported. The team searched the waters at low tide for a canon buried in the sand. 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.". As with any treasure hunting adventure, be sure and obtain permission from any applicable parties before your hunt begins. 1. 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. He successfully captured a few ships during his years long voyage. These stories and locations presented are based on our research but should be taken with some skepticism. Jos Gaspar allegedly lived between 1756 and 1821 and was based on southwest Florida, on the edge of the Gulf of Mexico. He was said to have been extremely active for many years, attacking merchant ships and evading justice, and in this time he won himself a huge fortune. Leaving Spain at an early age, he sailed to the West Coast of Florida. Gaspar is presented as dignified, noble in heart and rich and titled in some versions. Gasparilla seized her ship, and the hostages were brought to his hideout on Gasparilla Island. "We do have some treasure maps, and we're working on them," Gattuso said. "Either my great-grandfather made the best, most elaborate pirate hoax ever and never shared it with anyone or he really did find some treasure on the Hillsborough River. Ill post one a week Treasure Tuesdaysthis that lame? And he's fueled a cottage industry of treasure-hunting books, guides and metal . It does not store any personal data. Jose Gaspar, the legendary buccaneer who inspired Tampa's Gasparilla Pirate Festival, as well as fantastic tales of lost treasure, most likely never really existed. (386) 439-3061. But the idea of a pirate named Gasparilla (or some variant) goes way back. Strap yourself in for a wild ride and buy this international bestselling book today! He then tied himself to an anchor and jumped in the ocean disappearing for all time. Jose Gaspar Treasure Co | Flagler Beach, FL 32136. This treasure as well as the tunnels remain lost. 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.'
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