FINDING SUNKEN HIDDEN TREASURE IN DELAWARE

I would never have believed it if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes.  In a cheesy tourist seashell shop, along the beaches of Delaware, is an amazing sunken ship museum.  Walking past the novelty, trinket items and up the narrow wooden stairs is a step back in time of 200 to 300 years.  Over 5,000 discovered artifacts from hundreds of sunken ships from all over the world will keep you amused for hours.  ​

Hundreds of beautifully detailed coins, gold bars and weapons fill the glass booths.  Other discoveries are broken dolls, boots, brushes and other everyday items discovered and retrieved from the ocean floors where history rested for hundreds of years.

I found myself moving somewhat quickly, from display to display, being in disbelief at what was in front of me. Hundreds of beautifully, restored items from centuries ago. Each item carried its own story. My thoughts were full of questions. Then I noticed two couples amusingly listening to a man who was speaking with a loud, animated voice. I edged closer. The man immediately noticed me and waved me to join them. I spent the next hour listening to entertaining stories of how these items were found. I learned about things I never knew before, like buttons being made out of seashells.

As we moved from exhibit to exhibit, the vivid stories and testimonies continued. I interrupted, asking, "How do you know so much?" He smiled and said humbly, "I am the diver who found everything in this room" I scanned the room in amazement, viewing the thousands of artifacts. A huge smile appeared on my face as I realized, I am standing here with the man who made all this happen. What a story - his story.

Meet Dale Clifton. His first find was an old coin along the beaches at the age of fourteen. His first find progressed into a hobby. Forty years later, with hundreds of dives under his belt, he spends time entertaining and teaching anyone who is willing to listen. My time with Dale will be an amazing memory engraved in my mind. As I purchased a few souvenirs I asked the cashier, "How is it working here listening to all these incredible stories?" The young man smiled, "That's my Dad!"