Museum Displays 400 Year Old Crystal Earrings
The Instagram page of the National Museum of Bermuda has posted a picture of a pair of earrings that were recovered from an underwater site off of the island’s western shore, carrying a piece of history within them.
According to the National Museum of Bermuda Instagram page, “These Crystal earrings were recovered from the wreck of the San Antonio, which was driven onto Bermuda’s western reefs in a storm on September 11, 1621. They are currently on display in Shipwreck Island exhibit at the museum.”
The San Antonio was a Portuguese merchant ship with a cargo of indigo, sarsaparilla, and tobacco, as well as 5,000 pounds of gold and silver.
The San Antonio was wrecked on the west reefs of Bermuda, and only 120 of her crew made it to shore. According to historical reports, the survivors were soon tortured and forced to tell what treasure the San Antonio had carried.
Wreckers under the direction of Bermuda’s Governor Butler recovered her anchors, swivel guns, cannons and almost all of her gold.
Governor Butler left Bermuda on his own vessel shortly after the salvage operation, before his term was over and suspicions were raised that the Governor may have made off with some of the treasure.
The San Antonio wreck laid in its watery grave unknown to anyone until 1960, when legendary Bermudian diver Teddy Tucker discovered the wreck in 20 feet of water.
