| Many of the E.O.'s are oddly shaped lumps of concreted
shell, clay, sand, etc. and cannot be identified until the encrustation
has been removed. Sometimes the metal core has completely oxidized leaving
nothing but a residue of rust and an imprint of the object that previously
occupied the space. However, as Forrest Gump would probably say, "E.O.'s
are like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to get."
There is always the anticipation of uncovering a beautiful ornate silver
sword hilt, a delicate snuff box, silver candlesticks, etc. and numerous
artifacts such as cannonballs, pieces of ships rigging and firearms are
often found within these mysterious encrustations. Needless to say, there
is considerable satisfaction and pride in transforming and "E.O."
into an object of considerable beauty and value and to realize that you
are the first person to have seen this object in centuries. |
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During the 1997 dive season, the laboratory received
an "E.O." which was round-shaped and approximately the size of
a cannonball. Preliminary cleaning revealed that the center ball-shaped
portion was wood and that a hole, 1.7 cm. in diameter, ran through the
ball from top to bottom. Around the center of the ball was a heavy belt
of incrustation with 6 prominent, evenly spaced, lumps of thicker encrustation.
To our surprise it was discovered that the encrustation had concealed a
girdle of silver and that the six lumps contained solid silver, three-dimensional
life like figures of lions heads. As of this date, this object has not
been positively identified. Could it be an ornate lamp, top of a flagstaff,
scepter ball, etc.? Perhaps you have the answer. This object was recovered
by the M/V Discovery captained by Steve Hancock while working under contract
with Salvors, Inc. in 1997. It was donated to the State of Florida for
their collection and is now in their possession. |
