it would always be ready for use. The two boats could be 

 bolted together into a catamaran-type platform which 

 would be useful in shallow water or among shoals. 



We now felt that we had in Sea Diver a boat that we 

 could operate indefinitely, by ourselves if necessary, yet 

 one that would house comfortably a crew of as many as 

 ten, should more hands be needed. She was equipped to 

 take any weather and could cover two thousand miles 

 without replenishing either fuel or water supply. Further- 

 more, she could carry an extensive larder of fresh food 

 in her deep freeze and refrigerator. 



With nearly every kind of navigational aid at our 

 command, we would always be able to ascertain our exact 

 position. We could depend on Sea Diver's powerful radio 

 equipment to keep us in touch with the world ashore. 

 With her complete and versatile power and diving gear, 

 she was ready for any job that might appear. With the 

 many conveniences of her living quarters, we would al- 

 ways be comfortable, no matter what the temperature or 

 the length of time at sea. 



In short, we felt that we now had the perfect boat for 

 our purpose. 



Earlier that winter of 1953, in Binghamton, with the 

 snow flying outside the windows of our home, we had 

 studied the meager records which Pete had been able to 

 ferret out of the destruction of various Spanish treasure 

 fleets in the environs of the Florida keys. One account in 

 particular caught our fancy — that of the silver fleet of 

 1733, under Rear Admiral Don Rodrigo de Torres, which 

 was overtaken by a hurricane soon after it left its rendez- 

 vous point in Havana harbor. 



As I studied the ancient chart showing the approxi- 

 mate locations of the fifteen ships which were lost, my im- 



The Florida Keys 79 



