Many say he buried treasure here during this time. Once again our legend states that he hid 3 large chests among a group of trees on San Jose Island. Gaspar's legend is one of a murderous, bloodthirsty swashbuckler who stole money from Spain, stole a ship, kidnapped a Spanish Princess, and left a trail of death and gold throughout the high seas. jose gaspar, coins, and treasuremap found. Lafitte was wanted by the US government for they deemed his acts as piracy, not privateering. Jose Gaspar Rodriguez de Francia: Politician: Capricon: 06 January 1766 AD . 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. Jean Lafitte. Report from the Florida Zone: Buried Treasure - Blogger (3) The Spanish kept meticulous records and there is no mention of Gasparilla in the archives. "You'll hear more of us, you know; we'll do this until we're old and, you know, can't do it anymore.". Louisiana makes sense because during most of his time here, he was considered a fugitive by the US. A team of treasure hunters could be on the verge of unearthing the "world's largest treasure hoard," said to be worth over $20 billion. Definitely try, Find our recommended Caribbean hotels, restaurants, charters, & tours. The notorious pirate then committed suicide by wrapping a heavy chain around him and jumping over the side. From real buried treasure, to massive pearl finds, these . The coins are believed to be 18th century Spanish and Portuguese coins and the ring on the hand's is expected to be from around the same time period. As promised here is the start of your Pirate Treasure stories. Hand in Tampa Attic Stirs Up Memories of Dread Pirate Gaspar Though he is a popular figure in Florida folklore, no evidence of his existence appears in writing before the early 20th century. It is said that Captain Kidd came ashore here. They then buried the chests in numerous places along the river and its tributaries and swamps. This story seems to border on the outer limits, but a local historian doesnt believe that the hand belongs to the famed pirate. He spoke to local TV news network WFLA about the discovery, and the story kept getting stranger. The Legend of Gasparilla and His Treasure is a gripping, heart-pounding action adventure that's akin to a modern-day Indiana Jones story. There are numerous tales and stories of pirate treasures hidden thought the world, some of which are not attributed to any particular pirate. Whether the coins are authentic or not, Mike thinks the hand is real, and may belong to Jose Gaspar himself. 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/. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9_Gaspar, Sachs, S, 2022. P.S. It may not display this or other websites correctly. In the following years, he accumulated a board estimated at $30,000,000. However, this treasure is also attributed to the infamous pirate Blackbeard. 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. A band of pirates in Wisconsin operated out of a cave on Hermit island. 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 . The Search for Florida's Lost Pirate: With Josh Gates, Shamus Warren, Rodney Kite-Powell, Michael Gattuso. "It's a bunch of heartbreak with little reward and a lot of imagination," said treasure hunter Erin Melcher. Treasure hunter Stacey Hunt holds an old nail found under the ground on a wetland believed to have lost treasure. 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. "We go after Juan Gomez because everything, all the treasures and everything we've come through, is tied to him. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. His men, who numbered in the hundreds, also buried their smaller caches on these islands. The San Jose, a Spanish treasure ship, was attacked and sunk by a British warship in June 1708. When Jose Gaspar died, he supposedly left an untold fortune in buried treasure somewhere along the Florida coast. Ancient Viking treasures found in England actually seems to be a thing, as many of relative value have been found throughout the years. 2009-2021 Historic Mysteries. Is this the hand and treasure of Jose Gaspar? He was well-liked in court, but when he abandoned one lover for another, his spurned lover falsely accused him of stealing the crown jewels. All rights reserved. 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. Gasparilla, if he existed, wrapped himself in chain and jumped overboard with both hands still attached. A Net Inceptions project. Some of the add-ons on this site are powered by, Jose Gaspar is not the only mythical pirate character that has. ", 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. Cleaning the dreaded attic turned up a darling wedding photo of the Lopezes grandparents, but it also uncovered some interesting but creepy finds. After that, they searched his cabin and found a jar of gold coins and a small sheet of copper engraved with a code indicating the location of buried treasure. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Okay, that was. Tampa family finds pirate treasure in grandpa's attic Box found in Tampa attic has coins, a map, a hand and a mystery - WFLA News Channel 8 Share or comment on this article: Tampa family finds. Charlotte Harbor is an ideal spot to go treasure hunting. He soon picked a good spot in Charlotte Harbor, and began to build his pirate kingdom. They took the box to a few antique stores. "Maria came across it and once she told me she found a hand in a box. His work appears here every third Monday; the views expressed. Box allegedly containing Gaspars hand and related items Photo Credit. Florida's Pirate Jose Gaspar and his Treasure Story . Despite his brutal reputation, Gasparilla was supposed to have a soft side as well. John Gomez, also known as Juan Gomez and Panther John. . When Maria and Mike were children, their grandfather would tell them stories about his father, Ernesto Lopez, finding Jose Gaspar's pirate treasure. Gaspar is presented as dignified, noble in heart and rich and titled in some versions. It's light on history and heavy on action, suspense, and intrigue. Some records give him the honor of being what we would call an admiral. The team searched the waters at low tide for a canon buried in the sand. But Rodney Kite-Powell, a Tampa-Bay curator, doesn't believe that the legendary figure was even real. 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. Toward the end of his pirate career, Bowlegs was being pursued by an English warship. It seems the mythical pirate was a tall tale concocted by a man named Juan Gmez. 10 Lost Treasures in America Waiting to be Found - History Collection He was most likely a sailor for the English Navy who became unemployed and turned to a life of piracy. He was wanted until 1815 when opinion of him changed. "So, it's interesting how Tampa, in a sense, stole; we were pirates ourselves. Jose Gaspar Treasure - MapQuest He is even said to have buried treasure somewhere on the island near where the lighthouse now stands. RECOMMENDED: The legend of Jose Gaspar and the history of Gasparilla. The final and perhaps most intriguing possibility is around the Spanish Fort San Carlos in Pensacola. The legend of pirate Jose Gaspar, or Gasparilla as he is sometimes known, is shrouded in mystery. 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. From seashells to lost treasure, this shop has it all. All had been going along fine for Gasparilla until the year 1822. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. The Gasparilla Inn was a hotel on the island. Who created the man who is now a legend? I love this place built around 1640 . 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. GC3FZAF Jose Gaspar (Traditional Cache) in Florida, United States I'm here writing on Treasureunknown to provide helpful resources so others can get out and enjoy the thrill of the hunt! You'll need a boat or kayak for this cache. Gasparilla had fallen into a trap! Shopping, Gift & Specialty Shops. Where is the Body of the Legendary King Gorm of Denmark. He quickly worked his way up the ranks of the Spanish Navy and became an officer. (386) 439-3061. link to 8 Super Fun Family Treasure Hunt Ideas: With Real Treasure. Email him at elcompa29@gmail.com. This was around the 1870s, after the Civil War. Save. Location & Hours 2119 N Oceanshore Blvd Flagler Beach, FL 32136 Get directions Edit business info You Might Also Consider Sponsored Purple Haze 22 23.4 miles away from Jose Gaspar Treasure Marcus E. said "Hand crafted glass smoking utensils. First of all there was a Spanish Catholic missionary named Gasparillo that had a mission on the island that bears his name. If marriage was selected, there would be a ceremony, and the marriage promise would be strictly enforced. Jose Gaspar Treasure Co (Flagler Beach) - All You Need to Know BEFORE His treasure might have been on the ship with him during this battle. Aged Rum. Another report states that he hid several chests in a small river somewhere in the vicinity of the Bay. There's really no way to know which is the case," Maria wrote, in an email to WTSP-TV. What remains of Jos Gaspar today are his stories and legends, but most significant of them all is the secret of these mysterious cherries. "Possibly keep it forever. All of it is built around the story of Gaspar. Were There Pirates In Tampa Bay? - On Secret Hunt Read another story from us:Norways Saint Olaf Uncovered: Archaeologists Believe They have Discovered the Shrine of the Lost Viking King. On one occasion, his right-hand man Lopez had become tired of the pirate life and desired to return to Spain to see his love, Sanibel, after 13 long years. Here are some Metal Detectors for you to start your quest. Tampa family finds 'pirate treasure' in attic including treasure map It is said that he and his brother buried all of his money on the islands in and around Charlotte Harbor. Strap yourself in for a wild ride and buy this international bestselling book today! CBS affiliate WPEC-TV reported that 43-year-old treasure hunter Jonah Martinez located the coins using a . For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Leaving soon? Although Gasparilla was a well-educated, well-dressed pirate and ladies man, things did not always go as planned. Caesar was forced to push his pirate pack north to the Gulf of Mexico. 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. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Hand in Tampa Attic Stirs Up Memories of Dread Pirate Gaspar There is not much known about his adventures in Florida but there is rumors of him hiding a large treasure around Choctawatchee Bay. What he thought was a British cargo ship turned out to be the USS Enterprise, on a mission to end piracy. What is the story behind Gasparilla? - Promisekit.org This is extremely suspect as this is the same location rumored to hide the treasure of Billy Bowlegs Rogers. 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. The brochure relied heavily on the stories told by John Gomez. He ignored this order and stayed in Galveston for about another year before the Army returned forcing him to leave. New Castle Island in Delaware is said to house treasure hidden by pirates from Madagascar in 1699. Pirate Blackbeard entered the history books in the early 1700s. We have seven maps.". The Search for Florida's Lost Pirate - IMDb Treasure hunters search for Jose Gaspar's lost riches - Tampa Bay Times Treasure hunting can be a fun and exciting activity. Subsequent retellings of the Gaspar tale are based on this imaginative account, including the unintentional inclusion of Jos Gaspar in a 1923 book on genuine pirates, which has created ongoing debate regarding his historical veracity. He apparently helped repeal a British Invasion on New Orleans. It appears Philip Gosse got the story from Bradlee's book. The author of the pamphlet readily stated that the spectacular tale was a work of fiction with no genuine facts in it. Jose Gaspar: More myth than man - baynews9.com Chasing Treasure: The myth of Gasparilla and the real-life man Juan Gomez The allures of Jose Gaspar's mythical treasure and Tampa's giant pirate parade have pulled strongly on producers of reality television lately. Deleware holds one more possibility around Woodland Beach. Later that fall, he captured a large French slave ship bound for some sugar plantations. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. He then sailed back across the world, landing on what we now know as our home of Tampa Bay. A Tampa, Florida family going through their grandparent's attic made an interesting discovery: a treasure map, some coins, and an old human hand! Jose Gaspar Treasure Company | Flagler Beach FL 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. But Rodney Kite-Powell, a Tampa-Bay curator, doesnt believe that the legendary figure was even real. The Legend of Gasparilla and His Treasure - CAROLYN ARNOLD Gaspar did not exist, but never mind that. The Search For The Real Captain Morgan. Find the treasure, report it, and go to jail for committing a 3rd Degree Felony. Most confirm that the "Floridablanca" was the name of his pirate ship and the one that he served upon in the Navy. 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. A unique legend of pirate treasure in Indiana is intriguing. What we do know is that he is considered a hero to some and a villain to others. Youll read about many that are hidden and a few that were found, so it can happen. Jose Gaspar (GC3FZAF) was created by seabreezedrive on 4/1/2012. Everyone is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. " Mar 2021 We really enjoyed shopping here! One of the most popular pirates in Florida folklore is Jose' Gaspar. He remembers their grandfather telling stories when they were children of Ernesto finding the treasure of Tampa Bay pirate legend Jose Gaspar. Most of the suspected locations are in and around the state of Florida. Name of The Day. Gasparilla began on horseback in 1904 as a way to add a little pirate-themed fun to the city's May Day festivities. Similar Names. He wished to return to America to retrieve this treasure after Kidds execution but he never made it back. There are also inherent dangers involved with any of these types of adventures. Whilst swimming in Key West, he and a team of specialists find a huge anchor that may have been from Gaspar's vessel. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Crystal and I greatly appreciate any support! Rogers is said to have hidden huge amounts of gold and silver bars worth a fortune today. ", Pirate treasure in grandpa's attic includes human hand. Gasparilla 2023: The pirate party master list. They took the box to a few antique stores around Tampa and the contents were described as "gruesome and authentic.". Canny readers will already recognize a certain romantic streak in these stories. was reading about Jose Gaspar aka Gasparilla Pirate and one story tells of his friend Roderigo Lopez wanting to leave the Pirate life and Gaspar helped him leave, so it seems Maria Lopez great great grandfather may have been Roderigo. This particular lost treasure consists of a bunch of silver coins, ingots and even pieces of jewelry. And indeed there are serious problems with the stories of Gasparilla. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Tales of love and marriage, an aristocratic captain with nobility in his crew, a handsome and debonair adventurer: all these stories seem too good to be true. Jose Gaspar has come in handy for parades and celebrations. However, he spotted a British merchant ship and could not resist one final prize. Our knowledge of Jean and his brother Pierre begins in the early 1800s. I love this place built around 1640 . Jos Gaspar, known by his nickname Gasparilla (supposedly lived c. Legends tell how he amassed a huge fortune, and hid an enormous treasure before dying a hero facing the might of the US Navy. He would even compensate for injuries if they were sustained while obtaining cargo from another ship. Chasing Treasure: The myth of Gasparilla and the real-life man Juan Gomez. It was done for tourism purposes," Gattuso said. Around noon on the Gasparilla Day, members of YMKG set sail across Tampa Bay from near Ballast Point Park to downtown aboard the Jose Gasparilla, a 165' long flat . There are a few pirates who may have hidden treasure at this spot, including Billy. We lived not far from Gasparella Island and Charlotte Harbour.where the legend supposedly ended. 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. Rumor has it, that the stolen goods are still hidden somewhere on the island. History of Gasparilla: Jos Gaspar & his krewe. World's largest 'treasure hoard' worth over $20 billion may soon be found Legend has it that Gasparilla spotted a huge ship sailing in the distance. His theft discovered, he deserted his wife. You are using an out of date browser. 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. This characterization continues through the stories of Gasparilla as a pirate. Upon hearing this news, he unloaded his spoils and set sail for America (where he was later arrested and sent back to England). He has taken his place in local folklore and culture and has an annual festival in his honor. The men were executed but Gomez was to be the final survivor of this piratical outfit. Oak Island the Strange, the Bizarre, and Maybe the "Truth! 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.