Here we are Exploring the Depths: The Lasting Legacy of the Urca de Lima Shipwreck. In the summer of 1715, a Spanish merchant vessel embarked on a journey from the New World to Spain, carrying a precious cargo of treasures. However, fate had a different plan as the ship encountered a powerful storm off the coast of Florida.
This maritime disaster stands as one of the deadliest in history, claiming the lives of over a thousand individuals. Out of the eleven ships in the fleet, only one managed to survive the tempestuous ordeal—the Urca de Lima. Breaking away from the Espalma coastline, it vanished from sight, concealed by the elements.
The tale of the Urca’s treasure-laden ship has been recounted, but the question remains—how much of it is rooted in reality? Is the Urca de Lima an actual vessel, and what became of the wealth aboard this fortunate ship?
Urca de Limas were mighty Spanish merchant ships designed for transporting goods. Originally constructed for navigating shallow waters, the de Lima, named after its owner Miguel de Lima y Melo, represented an evolved iteration of the Urca. This Dutch-built giant weighed 305 tons and possessed the necessary strength to endure the challenges of the Atlantic trade route. In 1715, the Urca de Lima formed part of a fleet under the command of Juan Esteban de Ubilla, primarily serving as a merchant convoy.
Departing from Spain, the ships ventured to the Spanish colonies in the New World, where they were laden with valuable goods and gold. The spring of 1715 marked the departure of the city of Lima, commencing an unfinished voyage.
For protection against piracy, the ships sailed together as a group on the high seas. The Urca de Lima set sail with three other vessels, bound for Havana in Cuba. It was there that they joined forces with another Spanish ship commanded by Antonio de Echeverez. On July 24, the entire fleet departed Cuba, embarking on a lengthy and arduous journey back to the Spanish port of Cadiz.
However, a few days after their departure, disaster struck in the form of a severe storm. On August 10, 1715, all ships, except the Urca de Lima, succumbed to the tempest. Tragically, around a thousand individuals perished that fateful night, including Juan Esteban de Ubilla and Antonio de Echeverez.
The Urca de Lima managed to reach the entrance near Fort Pierce, where it ran aground with its hull intact. News of the catastrophe reached the Spanish authorities, prompting several rescue ships from Havana to arrive at the end of August, freeing the stranded Urca de Lima.
The Urca de Lima was a wooden-hulled vessel belonging to the Spanish fleet. It met its demise during a hurricane off the eastern coast of Florida in 1715. With a flat bottom and a rounded belly, the ship was well-suited for transporting cargo across the Atlantic. Among the eleven ships of the fleet, the Royal Navy vessels arrived in Spain carrying supplies from Cuba, Havana, Mexico, and Manila, including valuable commodities such as vanilla, chocolate, and incense. While the Urca de Lima did not carry royal treasures, it did transport private funds. After being abandoned by the storm, the ship was among the first to be salvaged by the Spanish. To conceal its location from English pirates, the Spaniards deliberately burned the ship, sending it to the depths.
In 1928, the Ancient City of Lima was rediscovered, and over the following 50 years, extensive salvage operations took place. In the 1980s, the state of Florida revoked the Urca de Lima’s salvage permit, opening the wreck to the public as the state’s first underwater archaeological preserve. To recreate the original wreck’s appearance, replicas of five cannons and
anchors were placed around the site.
Today, all that remains of the Urca de Lima is a ballast mound measuring 100 feet by 50 feet, covered with wooden planks. The constant forces of waves, storms, and currents expose and cover the ship’s remains, making it an enduring challenge to preserve. Despite these challenges, the wreck of the Urca de Lima is of immense importance as it represents the sole surviving artifact from the 1715 fleet. The site of the shipwreck is well-preserved and has been carefully maintained to harmonize with its surrounding environment.
The Urca de Lima has also become the focus of an online course developed by Teaching with Historic Places, a program under the National Register that provides educational resources for properties listed on the register. For more information, interested individuals can visit the Teaching with Historic Places homepage.
Situated approximately 1,000 yards north of Pepper Beach Park near Fort Pierce, the Urca de Lima rests just 200 yards offshore, submerged in waters ranging from 3 to 15 feet deep. Its axis points northeast. To protect the wreck from damage, visitors are advised to use mooring buoys placed at the site instead of anchoring directly. The wreck resides within the Florida Underwater Archaeological Preserve, and laminated underwater exhibits can be accessed at local dive shops. This sanctuary is freely accessible to the public throughout the year.
