Another one of our own has passed over the bar...

[Mackaydon]

I have no doubt he also passed still with a broken heart after losing his son about two years ago; both losses quite sad.
I wish we could have come to terms about searching for 40 tons of silver at Isla de la Plata; what a story and adventure that could have been.
Don....

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Upgraded Night Vision Monocular Digital Infrared Monocular Telescope for 100% Darkness with 8X Zoom - Grab it through Amazon!

[Salvor6]

I wish we could have come to terms about searching for 40 tons of silver at Isla de la Plata; what a story and adventure that could have been. Don....

Don, as someone who worked there, do you think Ecuador would give someone a permit to recover the silver bars at Isla de la Plata?

 

[Mackaydon]

Salvor6,

Before we salvaged the 'Capitana' (1654), the law was the payoff would be 10-year Ecuadoran bonds based on the intrinsic value of our finds. The un-attractiveness of that law was obvious. As you know, we got involved in having the law changed to a 50/50 split of the silver salvaged. The new law opened the door for us and others who followed.

To answer your question, I don't know if search, salvage and division could be possible but if a permit is given it will include being tenacious,having a good marine lawyer familiar with the politics, and an excellent business plan that would include conservation, preservation and presentation of the findings to the public.

In the recent past, I know one could take a one hour tourist boat ride to the island, stay a few hours then return to the mainland. I'll say no more on that, but I will add that what Ed went through in an attempt to raise funds to return to Isla de la Plata is, to me, sufficient evidence that he may have found a silver bar. The naysayers will state Drake didn't go to that island. I say "Who cares?". If silver bars lie in the shallow waters there and are retrievable (permitted), who cares whether or not Drake left them there?

Marx's book was first to put me on to this treasure. In his book he references Nora Serling. I attempted to contact Nora (then age 95) at an East Coast nursing home but they said she would be unable to discuss her book. But her book had a bibliography and one of those references led me to Nora's source. And in that source was more information that caught my attention--to this day.

RIP Ed;and thanks for rejuvenating the spark to search.
Don....

 

[SADS 669]

Farewell old friend.......

 

[aquanut]

Ed and I discussed the Silver at Isla de La Plata at length. He DID find a silver bar and left it so know one else would know. Our plans for going back were only hindered by the usual absence of money.

 

[Au_Dreamers]

There are no silver bars there...move along move along...

yes, that's sarcasm--- shhh shhh loose lips....

 

[Boatlode]

Very sorry to read this. I met Ed at one of the picnics, great guy.

My prayers and deepest sympathies for his family.

 

[CaptEsteban]

May he rest in peace !

 

[ivan salis]

Sad to hear this we always chatted at the cook out he will be missed

 

[Magoopeter]

Very sorry to of the passing of Edward, old man, I was in touch with him last year, He had a very interesting wreck of the Keys, a genuine treasure hunter and a gentleman to correspond with. Was just thinking of him this week. deepest sympathies to his family.
On your Journey.
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face.
May you be in heaven an hour before the devil knows your dead.
May God hold you in the palm of His hand, until we meet again

 

[DAP1]

R.I.P Ed. Sorry to hear you passed. Fair winds and Following Seas Ole Man!