Everyone is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Gaspar did not exist, but never mind that. Legend has it that in the late 1700s, a pirate named Jose Gaspar kidnapped the Spanish princess Joseffa de Mayorga. 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. Tales of pirate treasures are very difficult to substantiate due to many factors. He did what all retired people do in Florida he fell ill one day and died. Another instance of his softer side can be found in the account of Ann Jeffries, an English girl traveling from New Orleans to Liverpool. 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. Our knowledge of Jean and his brother Pierre begins in the early 1800s. 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. Some say that as this disguised ship was sailing by, the aging pirate and his crew were in the process of dividing up the spoils as an act of retirement. The most famous Florida pirate was Jos Gaspar, known by his nickname Gasparilla. Website. There are many differing versions about the pirates origins and life, but there is no real historical evidence that he ever existed. According to the sources we studied, Gaspar was probably born in Spain in 1756. When he finally realized that it was a warship, it was too late. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. And she actually had maps, and she had stories that were passed down to the family about these treasures. The vessel was said to be transporting gold, silver and precious gems collected in the South . Jose Gaspar Treasure Co (Flagler Beach) - All You Need to Know BEFORE Interesting history topics are just a click away. So it would seem that Gasparilla is a fiction, no more real a figure than Mickey Mouse. They gave him a first name, Jose Gaspar, and they really gave him the full backstory to create that in 1904. Magnet fishing is a hobby that is quickly increasing in popularity with good reason. 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. Perhaps this suggested location is merely a case in mistaken identity. WFLA | What is Gasparilla? "Possibly keep it forever. 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. Gaspar caught wind of his coming doom, and escaped via ship to America. A few months ago, Gattuso found a Calusa bone tool that is now part of the Useppa Island museum's collection. Strap yourself in for a wild ride and buy this international bestselling book today! They took the box to a few antique stores. When Maria and Mike were children, their grandfather would tell them stories about his father, Ernesto Lopez, finding Jose Gaspar's pirate treasure. Find the treasure, don't report it, melt it down or sell it on the black market using a different name. He then sailed back across the world, landing on what we now know as our home of Tampa Bay. This was to prove his doom as the ship he had targeted was no harmless cargo ship but in fact the USS Enterprise, a heavily armed and very dangerous pirate hunter. If we find that buried treasure together, we can split the booty among all of our readers and we never have to work again. Okay, that was. Wikipedia, 2022. . 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. Spain and Great Britain were adversaries in the complex tangle of European politics . Many say he buried treasure here during this time. 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. He was sentenced to prison and eventually released. When a ship was taken, the people aboard were not immediately murdered but instead offered the option of dying or joining Gasparillas crew. 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. Marias brother Mike believes the couple in the photo may be their great grandparents, Eve and Ernesto Lopez. Pirate Blackbeard entered the history books in the early 1700s. 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. 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. It is said that Captain Kidd came ashore here. Most of the suspected locations are in and around the state of Florida. Maybe you can find one and claim the fame and wealth that will ultimilty accompany your successful efforts. Despite its long history, there is no definitive origin of the name. All my curanderos, check out the first word on the second line play the song below for inspiration: Please support WTFFlorida.com by making a donation. ", 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. Most confirm that the "Floridablanca" was the name of his pirate ship and the one that he served upon in the Navy. Though he is a popular figure in Florida folklore, no evidence of his existence appears in writing before the early 20th century. 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. Jose Gaspar: Myth or Pirate? Quiz | People | 10 Questions - Fun Trivia Gasparilla seized her ship, and the hostages were brought to his hideout on Gasparilla Island. A band of pirates in Wisconsin operated out of a cave on Hermit island. What year did Gasparilla start? It's light on history and heavy on action, suspense, and intrigue. Rogers lost interest in the hunt after this and it is said he lived near his treasure to guard it for the remainder of his life. In Polish origin the meaning of name Gaspar is : Treasure keeper Spanish Meaning : The name Gaspar is an Spanish baby name. 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. I love searching for all types of "treasures" with my family. Since 1904, pirates have invaded the City of Tampa to kick off the Gasparilla Pirate Festival. My grandfather had a book on all these when I was younger. The ship contained $1,000,000 in assorted treasure, and should be there today. 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 spent nearly 30 years plundering ships in and around the gulf coast. Tyrons Landing located between the towns of Wethersfield and Naubuc. Upon hearing this news, he unloaded his spoils and set sail for America (where he was later arrested and sent back to England). A couple of his rancher buddies found him and buried him. There are numerous legends and tales of buried treasure on this island. Hitting the scene in the early 1800s Billy Bowlegs Rogers was a pirate to be reckoned with. What is the story behind Gasparilla? - Promisekit.org "But, what we believe is that Juan Gomez had ties to him. They will be focused on the Florida coastline, right in my back yard. From real buried treasure, to massive pearl finds, these . Some records give him the honor of being what we would call an admiral. According to the story, Gaspar had underestimated the USS Enterprise as an easy target. CBS affiliate WPEC-TV reported that 43-year-old treasure hunter Jonah Martinez located the coins using a . Here is what we have been able to piece together about this controversial pirate. Latest Blog . Jean Lafitte. Kidd set sail for England and was commissioned as a privateer by the English government. The Real Treasure Hunters have come a long way from social media in their hunt for the treasure of Jose Gaspar in the Peace River. These stories really get your imagination scrambling about finding buried riches yourself. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. 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. Tampans have embraced Gasparilla for more than a century, whether or not the pirate Jose Gaspar ever came to town It's a huge juxtaposition from the quiet of the Touchton Map Library at the. Box allegedly containing Gaspars hand and related items Photo Credit. He has taken his place in local folklore and culture and has an annual festival in his honor. (3) The Spanish kept meticulous records and there is no mention of Gasparilla in the archives. I love this place built around 1640 . The allures of Jose Gaspar's mythical treasure and Tampa's giant pirate parade have pulled strongly on producers of reality television lately. You are using an out of date browser. Or they were always togahter. We will discuss a few of them here. "It's a bunch of heartbreak with little reward and a lot of imagination," said treasure hunter Erin Melcher. ", "Jose Gaspar, from my understanding, was a name that was made up by Ye Mystic Krewe, which they tied to Gasparilla, which was tied to the railroad pamphlet that you're talking about, which that is not real. The brochure relied heavily on the stories told by John Gomez. 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. This is the spot for all of your seaside decorating needs. In 1705 the group was killed by French traders who were tired of being robbed by these men. This allegedly infuriated the young lady who devised a plan to essentially frame Gaspar for stealing some jewels. 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. Treasure hunting can be a fun and exciting activity. He was wanted until 1815 when opinion of him changed. Some records give him the honor of being what we would call an admiral. Available at: https://ymkg.com/the-legend-of-jose-gasparilla/. Jose Gaspar - A Real Pirate? | TreasureNet The Original Treasure 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. This is extremely suspect as this is the same location rumored to hide the treasure of Billy Bowlegs Rogers. Finally Pirates Cove, which is on the southern tip of Connecticut may house these valuable chests. 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. USEPPA ISLAND, Fla. Most, if not all, historians agree the pirate named Jose Gaspar never existed. From seashells to lost treasure, this shop has it all. New details have emerged about the San Jose, a Spanish galleon sunk by British ships 300 years ago. Gaspar - Meaning of Gaspar Name, Boy Gaspar Origin and Astrology 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. The author of the pamphlet readily stated that the spectacular tale was a work of fiction with no genuine facts in it. Millions of dollars have been found literally lying in front of people's feet, the world's beaches. The Gaspar myth in the very beginning was tied to the Charlotte Harbor area. Gasparilla had fallen into a trap! These tunnels converged into a large chamber underground. Jos Gaspar - Wikiwand These stories and locations presented are based on our research but should be taken with some skepticism. 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. Jos Gaspar allegedly lived between 1756 and 1821 and was based on southwest Florida, on the edge of the Gulf of Mexico. He remembers their grandfather telling stories when they were children of Ernesto finding the treasure of Tampa Bay pirate legend Jose Gaspar. 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. 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. Legacy | Useppa Island The pirate is one of the most notorious in the history of pirates. According to archives, the island community was created by Albert W. Gilchrist, Floridas 20th governor. Before we get to the treasure hunt, let's touch on the historical background of Jose Gaspar and how a now infamous fictitious pirate became a Tampa legend. We are constantly looking for opportunities to metal detect, magnet fish, pan for gold, and search for real life lost treasures. They used Barataria Bay in Louisiana as a hub for their enterprise. Fastened inside the box with copper wire is an old wedding photo, 18th century Spanish and Portuguese coins, a 1930s map of the Hillsborough River and a mummified hand wearing a ring. Treasure Unknown is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Just a salty pirate looking to explore and document the wonders of the Caribbean. 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. Though that treasure has never been discovered, the story of the swashbuckling Gaspar was unearthed and his memory revived in 1904 when Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla was formed and adopted the pirate as patron rogue of their city . 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. This particular lost treasure consists of a bunch of silver coins, ingots and even pieces of jewelry. Buumi . According to some versions of the story, Gaspar started as a troubled adolescent who kidnapped a little girl for ransom. Jos Gaspar - Wikipedia Useppa Island was a military outpost, resort, Confederate stronghold, and CIA site to train Cuban exiles for the Bay of Pigs invasion and was continuously inhabited for 10,000 years by the Calusa Indians. Gasparilla 2023: The pirate party master list. 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. 10 Lost Treasures in America Waiting to be Found - History Collection Also check state and local regulations before you begin any activities such as digging or metal detecting. 3. Spending most of his time here and running a larger business would provide ample opportunity and necessity to hide valuables. 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 have been many stories told of treasure Captain Kidd buried back in America. Leaving soon? Pricing is not too high. link to A Beginners Guide to Magnet Fishing: 15 Sure Fire Tips. 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. Other possible locations of Kidds treasure include Maryland in Druid Park, and Money Island off the coast of Connecticut is also claimed to be used by Kidd. Jose Gaspar has come in handy for parades and celebrations. Jose Gaspar Treasure Company | Flagler Beach FL Michael Gattuso lends a hand to his wife Lauren as they dock on a wetland on the Peace River in Arcadia.
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