Mike Daniel is a naval historian who has discovered a number of famous archaeological sites including the 1656 Spanish treasure galleon “Maravillas” and Blackbeard’s flagship the Queen Anne’s Revenge.
His work has been featured in many national newspapers and magazines including National Geographic, Smithsonian, American Archaeology and People Magazine. He has been interviewed on a number of TV news shows including Good Morning America once by Joan Lunden and again by Diane Sawyer and Charlie Gibson. He has been featured on numerous historical documentaries on the History Channel, Discovery Channel, National Geographic Channel and others.
The first documentary he appeared in was the 1972 “Treasure of the Bahamas”, the last documentary narrated by Rod Serling.Locally he discovered two 1838 Seminole Indian War battle sites in Jupiter. He also provided the historical research that led to the naming of both Abacoa and Wellington Green in Palm Beach County.
This is a 72 lb silver bar from the treasure galleon the 1656 Nuestra Senora de las Maravillas one of the richest galleons ever lost
One of the most valuable pieces ever lost in the ocean. This emerald studded gold crucifix found on the Maravilla sold at Christies for almost $500,000
The bell from Blackbeard's flagship, the Queen Ann's Revenge. This bell is still one of the wrecks most recognizable artifacts.
Mike has worked in the film Industry for twenty years and locally was the Marine Coordinator on the Burt Reynolds “BL Stryker” series and on Larry Hagman’s film “Staying Afloat”. He worked as the Set Decorator on Burt Reynolds films The Maddening and The Man from Left Field. He was Associate Producer on Monty Young’s film Hitters Anonymous.
Daniel is the founder of the Burt Reynolds Institute and Museum.
