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...

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...