Colonial wrecks - a bad idea in my humble opinion. On top of archie and gov't troubles, you have an issue with expense of recovery. Colonial wrecks are almost a no-win scenario unless you have a chance discovery. There is usually no remains left unless you find cannon or anchors. Even then, cannon and anchors were cut loose in storms. Is it a shipwreck site? Most of the remains are usually buried in the sand or silt. Bring in the blowers, or wait for a storm. One requires securing money. The other requires you're on location right after the storm. If it is a shipwreck site, then the hull likely burst open along the way and scattered the goodies for miles. All this is a very big crap shoot. There are very few Mel Fishers in the world who will keep investors excited for decades.
My opinion? Research beyond the colonial era for machinery wrecks. Steamboats, paddlewheels, clippers, etc. These wrecks still have relief and can be easily identified. From the early 1800s to present, there are literally scores of wrecks that have small fortunes in the captains safe or, in rare instances, a nice-sized valuable cargo. The advantage is that you can access research easier via newspaper accounts, and local archival source (colonial documentation is hard to find, not easy to access, and requires translation in most cases). You can actually find and ID the machinery wrecks easier. You won't spend decades hoping for a nice return for your time and money. In most cases, the wreck will be where it is, along with what you're looking for.
Enough for now. I hope you'll understand why I have little interest in colonial pursuits. Unless you just happen to swim across a colonial wreck, or hear something interesting to check out from a fisherman or lobster diver, I wouldn't bother to put much time in it. My bet is in the easier pursuits.
Best,
Darren
