Family Finds Gold: $300,000 in Gold Found in Dive in Florida (PHOTO, VIDEO)
A family has found more than $300,000 in gold during a dive off the coast of Fort Pierce, Florida at the weekend.
The Schmitt family reported found a treasure trove consisting of seven gold chains, three gold coins, and a gold ring. The loot was found underwater about 150 yards offshore.
Hillary Schmitt, 20, described the moment her brother Eric showed her and their family the handful of gold: "I cried like a baby. His pocket was hanging (with gold) about down to the ground… It was an intense moment. We were all just screaming and crying."
The Schmitt family is not just your average family though, they hunt treasure professionally through their company "Booty Salvage." However, even though they are used to finding treasure, this massive haul was enough to spark them off into wild celebrations.
According to reports, the family's biggest previous treasure find was a Spanish silver plate priced at $30,000 to $40,000. Their latest find well and truly puts that their previous record in the shade.
Schmitt has said, "It's a feeling of excitement, joy, feeling, blessed, shocked. I just kept saying, 'there's gold everywhere!'"
Reports have suggested that the treasure came from the wreckage of 11 Spanish ships that were destroyed and sank in a hurricane in 1715.
Brent Brisben, who is the co-founder of "Queens Jewels," the company that owns the rights to dive in the area, has said, "Almost on a daily basis we find shipwreck artifacts, musket balls, pottery. It's truly amazing."
Brisben has claimed that last month alone 51 gold coins worth $250,000 were found.
Queens Jewels works with about 15 different subcontractors that dive in the region too, including Booty Salvage.
The Schmitt's find of more than $300,000 will be split between their company and Queens Jewels, with 20 percent donated to the state of Florida.
Here is a video news report into the massive treasure find by the Schmitt family:
