Moments in Time is a collection of recovered newspaper briefs and other publications, compiled by local historian, Steve Hathcock, offering a look back at the history of the Rio Grande Valley.
Jetty capping half completed
Construction of a concrete cap capable of doubling as a king-size fishing pier is nearing the halfway point on a jetty reaching 3500 feet into the Gulf from the southern tip of Padre Island.
The cap, designed primarily to hold the huge granite boulders of the jetty in place, is being built under the auspices of the United States Army Engineers at a cost of about. $250,000. The jetty marks the edge of the Brazil Santiago Pass, the sea-lane connecting the deep-water port of Brownsville with the Gulf. The concrete cap will range in width from 25 to 35 feet. (Brownsville Herald Oct 14, 1954)
Treasure rumors abound in Valley
Tales of hidden treasure, rumors of Spanish doubloons, stories of pirate gold, are constantly cropping up in the Lower Valley area.
The reason? Padre Island.
Because of its geographical position in relation to the prevailing southerly and easterly winds, and also due to hidden reefs which front the Island.
Padre is said to have been the graveyard of more ancient ships than any other comparable section of the Gulf Coast.
Spanish ships in particular, beating their way through the West Indian island passages, across the Gulf to the Mexican colony, were often victims of the whimsical winds.
Many an Old-World schooner was blown by unfavorable winds against the long narrow Island and broken up by pounding seas and hidden reefs. Among the vessels known to have perished or disappeared were many ships which carried treasure in the form of gold and silver from Mexico, and jewels and ornaments belonging to officials and colonists returning to Spain.
An occasional Spanish doubloon has still found on the Island after heavy weather and high tide brings shifts in each contour and sand dunes, giving rise to tails and vast buried treasures. Still hidden on the Island.
(Brownsville herald Oct. 29, 1955)
Comments