Castagnola's Lobster House The Fate of the Spanish Treasure Fleet of 1733 From Sombrero Key to Key Largo, Gold Doubloons, pieces of eight and ancient cannon mark the graves of 15 Spanish galleons. This large treasure flota departed Havana, Cuba and headed up the Spanish Main, bound for Cadiz, Span under the command of general Rodrigo de Torres Y Morales, on July 14, 1733. A Steady breeze carried the ships north by east, but soon the wind dropped and the galleons rolled on the long swells of a glassy sea. Experienced seamen cast distrustful looks at the sky for they knew that under their lee were the sharp reefs and treacherous shoals of the Florida Keys. On July 15, the pale sky grew darker and the wind increased - the ships rigging strained and groaned under the increased pull of the sails. Suddenly the wind changed to east south-east and the hurricane struck in all its fury. The galleons staggered and heeled - officers shouted commands that no one could hear - sails were ripped to shreds. Some ships dropped their anchors, but they failed to hold. On deck, no man could breathe the howling mixture of wind and spray - it was every man for himself. The flota's cannon offered little defense against this type of foe, and soon the fierce hurricane winds drove the proud treasure fleet onto the hungry teeth of the Florida Keys whose coral jaws rended iron and timbers assunder. In seconds the precious cargo of gold and silver spilled through the gapping holes in the ships holds, past the silent muzzles of the once arrogant cannon to the sandy floor of the hostile sea. Reconstructed for your dining pleasure is the great cabin of "La Almiranta", the admiral's flagship of the flota. The cannon you see are actually from the treasure galleons and have been underwater for more than 233 years. The treasure chest is similar to the ones used to carry the 15 million in gold and silver that never reached King Phillip of Spain. From The Seafood Bar COCKTAILS BAY SHRIMP 1.50 CRAB 1.50 SASHIMI 1.50 OYSTERS ON HALF SHELL 2.50 CRACKED CRAB ONE HALF 2.50 HAWAIIAN FRUIT COCKTAIL 1.50 SOUPS CUP BOWL CLAM CHOWDER .50 .75 SALADS LOUIE SALAD 2.75 CRAB OR SHRIMP LOBSTER MARINA 3.50 CRAB, SHRIMP & LOBSTER SERVED IN LOBSTER SHELL STUFFED AVOCADO 3.25 WITH CRAB MEAT STUFFED PINEAPPLE 2.95 WITH CARB & SHRIMP SANDWICHES TERIYAKI-BURGER 1.75 REUBEN SANDWICH 1.95 KOSHER CORN BEEF 1.75 SHRIMP & AVOCADO 1.95 COFFEE SANKA TEA MILK .25 LOW CAL CHOPPED SIRLOIN STEAK COTTAGE CHEESE, TOMATO SLICES, PEACHES 1.95 SALES TAX ADDED TO PRICES OF FOOD AND BEVERAGES SERVED IN THIS ROOM. SEAFOOD LUNCHEONS INCLUDES: SALAD AND RICE SHRIMP PLATTER 2.75 SCALLOP PLATTER 2.75 ISLAND SNAPPER 2.50 ABALONE STEAK 4.50 SOLE CASTAGNOLA STUFFED WITH CRABMEAT 2.75 CAPTAIN'S PLATTER SHRIMP, SCALLOPS, FILET OF SOLE 2.95 FROM OUR BROILER FRESH ISLAND MAHI-MAHI 2.75 STEAK SANDWICH 3.85 HALF BROILED LOBSTER MELTED BUTTER 3.50 BROILED JUMBO SHRIMP MARINATED 2.95 OMELETS PLAIN OMELET 1.50 SEAFOOD OMELET CRAB, SHRIMP & LOBSTER SUPREME 1.95 In the days of iron men and wooden ships, stout masts sailed the clipper ship "Star of India" around the world over 100 years ago. They are still in use today. Hand hewn from giant trees these masts, weathered by wind and storm, are visible in the dining rooms, cocktail lounge and banquet rooms as structural supportsd. Natural knees, braces hewn from the root and trunk of fir trees are used in the same manner as in the days of old. Authentic lanterns, binnacle and steering wheels along with hand carved ships figure heads that graced the bow and gave moral support to superstitious sailors thru fog and storm are used for added decor. Original teak wood decking from the war-scarred U.S. battleship Indiana is used as the ship decking through-out. The sailors adventure and romance of the seas have been recaptured in this fine restaurant for your dining pleasure in "going to sea ashore." Welcome aboard...