This season the crew of the M/V Gold Duster found some unique items from the Corrigans wreck site. This site is thought to be the scattered remains of the Almirante of the Nuevo Espana fleet from the ill-fated 1715 fleet. In 1715, the Spanish officers that sailed her and the wealthy passengers traveling back to Spain would have called her by her name, The Santo Cristo de San Roman y Nuestra Senora de Rosario del San Jose.
     One of the unique items to be recovered was a silver dog collar that features a family crest or heraldic shield.

Figure: 45 - #49003 Photo	Figure: 46 - #49003 Illustration

      The shield features a diagonal band running from the top left to bottom right. This type of band on a shield is known as a "per Bend". The shield is supported by "Mantling" with what appears to be wings emanating from the "Mantling" under the shield is a ribbon. There are two semi-circler wreaths emanating from the "Mantling". Surmounting the entire shield is an over arching crown. The crown is identified as a marquis crown.
      The hope when first recovered was to identify this crest with a specific family and or specific passenger/officer aboard the Galleons of the 1715 fleet. In so doing, much confusion on site identification could be resolved.
      Mel Fisher Center, Inc. immediately started intensive research into the crest. It became obvious that the task of family identification was not going to be simple. Inquiries were made to the Hispanic Society of America and on the Internet.
      The response we received from the Hispanic Society of America served to confirm the difficulty of identifying a family from this crest. "As several of my colleagues at the society (several of whom are from Spain) agree, the 'crest' is all but impossible to identify, since the outlines of the arms shown on the shield are quite common. Only the colors (perhaps once present) might help" (Personal communication Priscilla E. Muller, P.H.D. Curator Emerita of the Museum, The Hispanic Society of America, 2001).
      Subsequent to the correspondence with The Hispanic Society of America, research was conducted to identify and become more familiar with the various symbols on the crest itself.
      During our research it was discovered that the stippling (dots) on the shields background and the diagonal striping inside the bend represents colors. These are what are referred to as the Petra Sancta "a system of hatching to represent the armorial tinctures on metal objects. It is generally reserved for uncolored illustrations where an indication of the tinctures is considered essential. "A knowledge of hatching is essential in the identification of armorial silverware, bookplates and carvings in wood and stone."(A dictionary of Heraldry ã 1987 Stephan Friar, Harmony Books). This piece of evidence now allows us to at least assign colors to the shield itself. The Background is Gold and the Bar is Green.

Figure: 47 - Close up of heraldic crest #49003 photo

      Further research is underway on a number of sources. A further submission with colors will be re-submitted to The Hispanic Society of America through Dr. Pricilla Muller. Resources at the University of Florida at Gainesville in their Spanish collection will also be checked.
 

A Dogs Life

      Dogs in this period were, as in most of recorded time, both companions and workers for man. Far from being unusual the collars used in history are now parts of both private and museum collections. Cave paintings show dogs working with humans during hunting and after the domestication of animals such as cows, sheep etc., the dog took the role of protector and herder's help.
      When did decorative collars come about? This is a bit more difficult however we have records from the Greek Battle of Corinth during the 5th century BC it was recorded that 50 dogs guarded the city and alerted the town of the attack. The sole surviving canine was awarded a pension for life and a silver collar in recognition of his valor.
      Yet another example of collar was preserved at the site of Pompeii, there in 69 AD Mt. Vesuvius erupted covering the town in layer of ash. In the ash the cast of both human and animal victims were often preserved. One of the victims was a family dog the cast clearly preserved not only the shape of the animal but also the collar it was wearing at the time of death.

Figure: 48 - Dog of Pompeii, 69AD, Showing collar (WWW. Sfusd.k12.ca.us)

     The aristocracy of Europe and by extension the New World had a high regard for dogs as hunters, warriors, guards and companions. The aristocracy often made gifts to each other of these animals spreading and commingling their bloodlines.
     To be truthful, when first discovered this piece was something of a mystery. The idea, however, that it might be a dog collar came up fairly early. With a little research and by contacting the museum and library of the American Kennel Club as well as Leeds Castle in England (which houses one of the largest private collections of antique dog collars) our suspicions were confirmed.

Figure: 49 - Another example of a dog collar from the historic period (Jenkinson, Sammlung Geoffrey P. Des Menschen Bester Freund, Hundehalsbander aus FunfJahrhunderten)

     Although not an unusual item in a wider historic context, it is a unique find from this shipwreck site as well as the other associated sites of the 1715 Fleet in general.