The Tucker Cross Treasure Heist

 

One of Bermuda’s most famous treasure stories revolves around the San Pedro. The ship was laden with gold, silver, and precious jewels bound for Spain. In 1955, Bermudian diver Teddy Tucker discovered what became known as “Tucker’s Cross”, a 22-karat gold cross studded with seven emeralds, believed to be from this wreck. Found with other artifacts like gold buttons, swords, and muskets, it’s considered one of the most valuable shipwreck finds ever.

 In 1975, the treasure from the San Pedro was transported from the Bermuda Aquarium to the Bermuda Maritime Museum, to be shown to Elizabeth II during her visit to the island.  Moments before the Queen arrived, Teddy Tucker inspected the display and noticed that the Tucker Cross had been replaced by a replica. The point at which the swap was made is unknown. Local lore attributes the theft to an international art thief because of the substitution of a replica rather than a straight theft.

Some believe the San Pedro still holds vast treasures locked in coral, with rumors of unrecovered gold and jewels scattered across the ocean floor.  Tucker’s find is well-documented, and artifacts are displayed at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute (BUEI). 

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