In 2007, Odyssey Marine Exploration, an American company specializing in deep-sea salvage, announced the discovery of a shipwreck codenamed “Black Swan.” Located off Portugal’s coast, it contained an estimated $500 million in gold and silver coins. The find sparked international interest and legal disputes. The wreck is believed to be the Spanish Navy frigate Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes, sunk by the British in 1804 during the Battle of Cape Santa Maria. Spain claimed ownership, and after a fi

A few weeks ago we celebrated William Beebe and Otis Barton's first record-breaking descent into the abyss with the Bathysphere. Join HDM Curator Lynea Wilson to learn a bit more about the Museum's model of the Bathysphere. Otis Barton presented this model to potenial investors to gain their financial support for the construction and expedition involving the real Bathysphere. #divingmuseum #marinebiology #bathysphere #abyss #museumfromhome #museum #artifacts #coolhistory #islamorada #floridakeys

Learn more about Beebe and Barton’s Bathysphere dive during our guided tours at 11 AM and 2 PM this Saturday, August 16! #museum #history #diving #floridakeys | History of Diving Museum