Writing to the governor of Florida in September of 1964, the president
of the Florida Keys Underwater Guides Association expressed concern
about proposed salvage operations on the shipwrecks of the Spanish fleet
of 1733. The Guides went on record to ask the governor for help "to
preserve these historical wrecks for the present and future enjoyment of
the public. " Subsequently, a similar request was sent to the governor
by the Florida Upper Keys Chamber of Commerce, which wrote that "we feel
strongly that the historic interest and attractions for our growing
influx of skindivers produced by these wrecks is much more valuable to
the State of Florida than the 25% share gained from salvage of these old
wrecks and their treasures. " Shortly thereafter, the Monroe County
Advertising Commission wrote the governor that "the historic wrecks off
our coasts are a part of our heritage to be enjoyed and seen and not to
be despoiled. [Aside from] the discovery of occasional "pieces of
eight" and/or artifacts by individuals or the hope of such discoveries,
the underwater beauty of a wreck housing hundreds of fish or a mound of
cannon balls is directly beneficial to our economy while concerted
salvage operations would destroy permanently the lure of these wrecks. "
But the notion that these underwater sites would best serve the public
as historical and environmental attractions rather than to be picked
apart under state supervision for personal trophies was an idea way
ahead of its time.