$ 59.00
On Friday the 13th of July 1733, the New Spain Fleet left Havana harbor on its return voyage to Spain. Commanded by Lieutenant-General Rodrigo de Torres aboard the 60-gun galleon, Capitana El Rubi, the flota consisted of three other armed galleons, 16 merchant naos, and two smaller ships carrying supplies to the presidio of St. Augustine.
As the ships began the passage up the Florida Straits past the present-day Florida Keys, the wind shifted abruptly from the east and increased in velocity. Lieutenant-General Torres knew a hurricane was imminent and ordered his captains to turn back to Havana, sailing as close to the wind as possible... but it was too late. By nightfall of the 15th, most of the ships had been driven westward and scattered, sunk, or swamped along eighty miles of the Florida Keys. Only four ships made it back to Havana, and the galleon El Africa, managed to sail on to Spain undamaged. Robert made hundreds of dives on the 1733 Fleet during his time in the Florida Keys.
Of Special Note: Each of our Empires Collection Museum Recreations is made of Proprietary, Non-tarnishing Sterling Silver. Each one is hand-finished here in the studio - toned, hand-rubbed and polished for a lifetime of easy-care!
The small cross from which your cross was cast was recovered from the 1733 Fleet vessel El Capitana El Rubi by treasure-hunting pioneer Art McKee.
On one side, the cross depicts a haloed Christ on the Cross with the letters INRI (on a Titulus Crucis), an abbreviation for the Latin: Iesus Nazarenus, Rex Iudaeorum. In English: “Jesus the Nazarene, King of the Jews,” posted on the cross by order of the Roman procurator, Pontius Pilate. The skull under the feet of Christ represents the mortality of man, and that Christ’s blood washes away man’s sins.
The other side depicts Mary with hands pressed in prayer, the Latin inscription: Vir Imm Maria Mater Gracie translates to: Immortal virgin: Mary, Mother of Grace.
For our Collection of Chains for Men and Woman Click Here>
