SHIPWRECK SPANISH JUNO 1989

HISTORY OF SHIPWRECKS

SPANISH FRIGATE JUNO

OCTOBER 28 1802 40 MILES EAST OF ASSATEAGUE ISLAND VIRGINIA

The Juno left Veracruz Mexico January 15, 1802 with a cargo of gold and silver and

432 people. Personal belongings may have carried valuables also. She was headed for

Havanah on her way to home port Cadiz, Spain. Off the Florida coast the Juno was hit

by a storm and lost a mast. She then headed for San Juan, Puerto Rico for repairs.

On October 1 1802 Juno left San Juan headed north and was hit by another storm. Just

off the Virginia coast it came to with a U. S. schooner and transferred some of its passengers

that accompanied the Juno toward the coast. As the schooner stood by on October 28, 1802

the Juno sank while in a heavy fog out of sight of any aid. Only seven of the people on board were saved.

The shipwreck was discovered by a Virginia fisherman Cecil Robels who was dredging scallops March 1987. Along with scallops Robels brought up a bronze bell, made a second

pass and came up with a rudder post which identified the wreck and proved the Juno had lost it's rudder before it sank.

Quicksilver International Marine Salvage Company of Virginia Beach Virginia was contacted about the find and the summer of 1989 started salvage of what it thought to be the

Spanish Juno. The project will take 90 days and cost $25 million. It is estimated the cargo

is worth $40 to $200 million. The wreck lays in 180 feet of water and is covered with sand.

Artifacts are to be recorded on a computer grid and an archaeologist will be on site.

Since the wreck is 40 miles off shore Virginia cannot claim a share of the treasure and a

Federal Judge had named Quicksilver custodian .

Abstract: Wilmington News Journal, Monday June 19, 1989 by Molly Murray,

Sussex Bureau reporter.