The State - News from July 20, 1987

Permission to search for a Spanish galleon that sank nearly 300 years ago in Drakes Bay in Northern California has been granted by the state Lands Commission to an underwater archeologist, who has dreamed since childhood of finding lost treasure. Robert Marx, 50, of Indiaatlatnic, Fla., said that before his search can begin, however, he will also need permits from the California Coastal Commission and the Marin County Board of Supervisors. Marx hopes to locate the vessel San Augustin, which went down in 50 feet of water during a squall in 1595, and recover Chinese porcelain, gold and silver, religious artifacts and jewelry. Under terms of his search permit, the state would get half of the value of anything salvaged from the ship and the choice of items of historical value to be kept in museums.