St. Augustine Shipwreck Museum

05/22/2026

05/10/2026

Happy Mother's Day from the crew

05/05/2026

SS Central America Con't:

On September 11, 1988, 131 years after its sinking was discovered by The Columbus America Discovery team led by Captain and engineer Tommy G Thompson off the coast of South Carolina at a depth of 7200 feet. The discovery uncovered a massive amount of California Gold Rush-era Gold including gold bars and coins estimated to be worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

The Treasure discovered led to significant legal and financial battles over the Gold, that later resulted in prison time for Tommy G. Thompson.

The Artic Discoverer vessel was famed for locating the "Ship of Gold," the SS Central America. Thompson used advanced sonar and a Robot named "Nemo" to recover the Treasure only to be abandoned later in Green Cove Springs, FL to rust.

In January of 2026 I traveled to see this abandoned vessel. It sits at a dock rusting away. Pictured below is what it now looks like today.

Tommy G. Thompson has since been released in March of 2026 after serving time for failing to reveal the location of 500 missing gold coins. I can only imagine the eyes watching him.

Would you tell anybody where your Treasure was?

Tommy didn't

Artifacts from the Shipwreck can be seen in the St. Augustine Shipwreck Museum from the wreckage as well as gold Nuggets for sale.
Got Treasure?

46 Charlotte Street
St. Augustine FL 32084
904-480-2089

04/23/2026

SS Central America

Known as the "Ship of Gold," was a 280 foot sidewheel steamer that operated between Central America and the United States until September 12th, 1857. After a 3 day long fight, it lost to a Category 2 Hurricane off the coast of the Carolinas. At the time the ship sank it was carrying more than 30 thousand pounds of gold and 578 passengers and crew. Unfortunately, 425 passengers and crew members including the Captain and gold went down with the ship.

Commander William Luis Herndon, a Naval Officer was the Captain of the SS Central America. He saved 100 passengers primarily women and children before the ship sank. Today two Navy Ships are named after the Captain, the USS Herndon in his honor.

The Captain was only 43.

Stay tuned for more on the "Ship of Gold."

04/15/2026

Congratulations from the St. Augustine Shipwreck Museum Crew on your engagement. We wish you a lifetime of happiness.

04/04/2026

St. Augustine celebrates Easter every year starting with a Easter Parade the Saturday before Easter Sunday. This year marks the 70th Anniversary tradition. I had the pleasure seeing it for the first time this year. Enjoy some of the highlights from this mornings parade. Happy Easter from the St. Augustine Shipwreck Museum Crew.

02/19/2026

Looking for something to do in the Oldest City that is fun, educational, affordable and healthy on your time for the entire family? Look no further, the St. Augustine Shipwreck Museum Treasure Hunt is ONLY $20.00! It is a fantastic way to get your steps in and get educated on the history of St. Augustine. The Hunt allows you to stop and start with your sign on password on your time up to 72 hours. Upon completion return to the museum during business hours to claim a prize.

This experience can be purchased on line or in the museum.

Time to get steppin'!!

46 Charlotte Street
St. Augustine FL 32084
904-480-2089

02/19/2026

Have you ever wanted to explore the secrets of the past through a shipwreck? There’s a reason the Titanic continues to captivate so many people. The St. Augustine Shipwreck Museum is a true capsule of history, filled with authentic shipwreck artifacts. Located on Charlotte Street in downtown St. Augustine, this quaint museum features real artifacts from the RMS Titanic, along with movie props that bring maritime history to life.

The museum also offers interactive experiences for visitors of all ages. Take part in a citywide treasure hunt featuring 100 questions and 72 hours to complete it. Once finished, you get to choose a treasure chest with prizes valued up to $250, including rubies, emeralds, and coins. For an even bigger adventure, which you can book ahead of time on their website, they offer a four-hour beach excursion where you can try metal detecting, with lunch included.

Inside the museum, two hidden treasure chests await those clever enough to solve the puzzles and unlock them. Out back, guests can enjoy a hands-on metal detecting area and treasure sifting activity, where real coins sourced from around the world are hidden. Best of all, anything you find, you get to keep.

🎟️ $15 adults (10+) $12 Children (ages 3-9)
📍 46 Charlotte Street
St. Augustine, FL

🕐 Monday – Friday: 11am – 4pm
Saturday – Sunday: 10am – 4pm

02/14/2026

Happy Valentines Day

02/09/2026

Check out the Gift Shops collection of Shipwreck Coins, Atocha Jewelry, and the Civil War Artifact Collection just to name a few. You still have time to get Treasure.



46 Charlotte Street
St. Augustine FL 32084