News Release
City of Fort Pierce
For immediate release: February 9, 2022
Contact: Joe Sweat, Communications Specialist
City of Fort Pierce Unveils 1715 Fleet Spanish Cannon
The City of Fort Pierce is set to unveil the recovered 1715 cannon from the Spanish Treasure Fleet on Tuesday, February 15, 2022, at 11:30 AM at the Melody Lane Fishing Pier Plaza.
The public is invited to celebrate and take part in history as the City of Fort Pierce reveals the long-awaited Spanish Treasure Fleet cannon of 1715 which has been in a conservation process after its retrieval over three years ago. Following the unveiling, the cannon will be on permanent public display down by the beautiful waterfront near Melody Lane Fishing Pier.
Attendees can expect special guest speakers, photo ops with the relic, and refreshments. Parking for this event will be designated in the grassy vacant lot off Atlantic Avenue from S. Indian River Drive, and the city tram will be available for pickup to and from the event parking lot.
The restoration process was made possible by the 1715 Fleet-Queens Jewels LLC, the City of Fort Pierce Public Works Department staff, and the Fort Pierce Lions Club along with other community partners.
ABOUT THE CANNON:
For more than 300 hundred years, a cannon from the 1715 Spanish Treasure Fleet sat in the Atlantic, just north of Fort Pierce. The discovery was made by Captain John Brandon of the 1715 Fleet-Queens Jewels LLC and Captain Danny Porter of the Seatrepid who worked tirelessly to retrieve the relic.
The cannon resurfaced on August 13th, 2018, and was brought to the docks of Fisherman’s Wharf where it was hoisted out of the water by crane, making land for the first time in centuries. The cannon was transported to the City’s Public Works compound to undergo the restoration process, prepping it for public display at the Melody Lane Fishing Pier Plaza.
"(It) doesn't happen often," Captain John Brandon said. "The last cannon that was brought up from
the 1715 Fleet was about 30, 35 years ago. ... This one might be the last one for several generations."
For more information, please call 772-467-3031