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    Real Life 'Goonies'? A Mysterious Shipwreck Found Off the Oregon Coast

    en-usJuly 13, 2022

    Podcast Summary

    • The Graveyard of the Pacific: A place of legends and mysteriesThe BBC uncovers intriguing stories and legends from the Graveyard of the Pacific, where over 2,000 shipwrecks have occurred, including the beeswax wreck, which has sparked pirate rumors.

      The BBC provides intriguing information and inspiration that makes us think, as exemplified by the mysterious Spanish galleon treasure story off the coast of Oregon. This stretch of the Pacific Northwest, known as the Graveyard of the Pacific, has claimed over 2,000 shipwrecks, and one of them, the beeswax wreck, has sparked legends due to the large amounts of beeswax found on the shore. The beeswax wreck story intertwines with another local legend about a crew that buried something and left, leading settlers to believe it was pirates. The BBC's reporting encourages us to question, explore, and connect the dots between seemingly unrelated stories.

    • New clues in the Neakani treasure huntRecent discovery of possible shipwreck parts in a Pacific Northwest cave, confirmed by native tree species, brings hope to solving the Neakani treasure hunt mystery

      The Neakani treasure hunt, inspired by the movie "Goonies," has been a long-standing mystery in the Pacific Northwest. Despite numerous attempts, the treasure's location remains elusive. However, a recent discovery by volunteer archaeologists, Craig Andes and the Oregon Maritime Archaeological Society, might change that. They believe they have found pieces of the actual shipwreck, including wooden beams, in a cave on the coast. Initially, skepticism abounded due to the survival chances of wooden beams in the tidal zone. But after further investigation, it was confirmed that the wood came from a family of trees native to Asia and South America. This discovery could potentially solve one of the most enduring mysteries of the Pacific Northwest using old-school detective skills and a well-timed natural disaster. The team's determination and perseverance serve as a reminder that even long-standing mysteries can be unraveled with dedication and the right tools.

    • A lost Spanish galleon's cargo discovered on the Oregon coastLarge quantities of beeswax, Spanish symbols, Chinese porcelain, and other artifacts suggest a Manila galleon from the Spanish colonial era, likely the 1705 San Francisco Javier, may have sunk off the Oregon coast.

      The discovery of large blocks of beeswax, Spanish shipping symbols, Chinese porcelain, and other artifacts on the Oregon coast led to the intriguing speculation of a lost Spanish galleon. The presence of these items suggested that the ship was likely carrying cargo from the Philippines to Mexico during the Spanish colonial era. The size of the ship required to transport such large quantities of beeswax and other goods led historians to believe that it was a Manila galleon, which were massive vessels requiring the wood from thousands of trees. Despite the infrequent occurrence of Spanish galleons going missing without a trace during this time period, the challenge was to identify which of the four known missing galleons it could have been. The discovery of late 1600s porcelain narrowed down the possibilities, and the research focused on the 1705 galleon, the San Francisco Javier, as the most likely candidate. The search for this historic ship continues, offering a glimpse into the rich maritime history of the Pacific Ocean.

    • A geologist's expertise and a natural disaster led to the discovery of a shipwreckInterdisciplinary approaches in archaeology, combining historical accounts and geological evidence, can lead to more accurate discoveries.

      The discovery of a historic shipwreck was made possible by a fortuitous natural disaster and the expertise of a geologist. Historical accounts mentioned a wreck at the mouth of a river with wreckage on the sandbar. However, this area was filled with sand due to the construction of rock jetties in the early 1900s. The researchers hypothesized that a giant earthquake and tsunami in January 1700 could have exposed the wreckage by eroding the spit. With the help of ground penetrating radar and a metal detector, they found evidence of the shipwreck in the tsunami deposit on the spit. Initially, they believed the ship was the Santo Cristo de Burgos, which historians claimed burned in the Western Pacific. However, the geologist, Kurt Peterson, disagreed based on the geological evidence. The team then investigated the origins of the Santo Cristo de Burgos account and found it was based on the tale of one historian. Despite the historical record, Peterson's geological findings suggested the shipwreck predates the tsunami. This discovery challenges historical accounts and highlights the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in archaeology.

    • Solving the mystery of the Manila galleon with historical discoveriesThrough careful research, collaboration, and determination, historians have uncovered valuable insights into the Manila galleons by analyzing Chinese porcelain and recovering timbers from a cave, bringing us closer to understanding this important chapter in history.

      Historical discoveries often involve intricate puzzles that require careful research and collaboration. In the case of the Manila galleon, a Chinese porcelain helped historians narrow down the date of a specific ship, but the discovery of timbers in a cave could provide valuable insights into the construction of these historic vessels. However, accessing the timbers was no easy task, as the cave was only accessible during the lowest tides and the recovery required careful planning and resources. Historians still have much to learn about the Manila galleons, and each discovery brings us closer to understanding this important chapter in history. Despite the challenges, the dedication and collaboration of historians, researchers, and organizations led to the successful recovery of the timbers, contributing valuable information to the ongoing study of these historic ships.

    • Recovering a 300-year-old shipwreck beamA team discovered a 300-year-old shipwreck beam, using life jackets, jet skis, and rescue swimmers. The beam is being analyzed, and the search for the rest of the ship and potential treasure continues.

      A team successfully recovered a 300-pound beam from a shipwreck believed to be over 300 years old. This discovery was made after a long and challenging journey, involving the use of life jackets, jet skis, and rescue swimmers. The beam, likely part of the lower hull, is now being analyzed at the Columbia River Maritime Museum. The search for the rest of the ship, including its anchors, cannons, and potential treasure, continues. Scott Williams, a key figure in the discovery, also shared his fascination with the Neakani treasure story, which involves a ship anchoring and burying treasure on Neakani Mountain, as evidenced by carved rocks with symbols and letters. The Maritime Archaeological Society, led by Williams, continues to search for answers to these intriguing mysteries.

    • Bringing a podcast to life through teamwork and partnershipsEffective teamwork and valuable partnerships are essential for producing high-quality content and bringing projects to fruition.

      The importance of collaboration and teamwork in producing high-quality content. The podcast was brought to life by a dedicated team, including the producer Burleigh McCoy, editors Gabriel Spitzer and Gisele Grayson, fact checker Rachel Carlson, chief engineer Gilly Moon, and senior director Beth Donovan and senior vice president of programming Anya Grundmann. Their combined efforts ensured the accuracy, coherence, and overall excellence of the podcast. Moreover, the podcast was made possible with the support of Easycater and Equinix. Easycater offers comprehensive solutions for companies' food needs, from employee meal plans to on-site staffing and concierge ordering support. Equinix, on the other hand, enables businesses to bring their innovations to life by providing the digital infrastructure necessary for their success. Both companies' support underscores the importance of partnerships in bringing projects to fruition.

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