To: T A P who wrote (1) | 9/3/1999 11:21:00 AM | From: T A P | | |
VGLD 9/1 Boston Globe Article
By Andrew Cawthorne, Reuters, 09/01/99
HAVANA - A Canadian firm has begun exploring the Caribbean waters near Cuba in a hunt for a hidden bullion of enormous historic and financial value that sank with Spanish galleons hundreds of years ago.
'We've reached the exciting part,' said Doug Lewis, head of Visa Gold Exploration Inc., which has been preparing since 1993 for the in-depth search launched last week.
Visa Gold is one of three foreign companies working in a joint venture with the Cuban government in what experts say could be the most lucrative gold hunt in marine history.
While they have tempted bounty hunters over the years, the shipwrecks and their treasure, worth billions of dollars now, have never been systematically tracked down.
Lewis's firm has two concessions from President Fidel Castro's government to search a 44-mile stretch from Havana westward on the northern coast, and another area around the Isla de Juventud in Cuba's southern waters.
Visa Gold's ship, the Explorad'oro - specially designed and transported from Montreal - took to the waters off Havana at the end of last week, towing a magnetometer and other high-tech equipment to detect metal on the ocean floor.
After a feasibility study, Visa Gold will start sucking up sand and breaking coral to get at the treasures.
The most eagerly sought galleon is the Santissima Trinidad, which went down near Havana in a hurricane in 1711 with bounty worth several hundred million dollars.
Visa Gold's joint venture with Cuban state marine company Geomar means the local company automatically receives 50 percent of the value of any finds, after deduction of Visa Gold's costs.
Visa Gold has invested more than $500,000 in the project and 'would like to have $1 million in the bank' for future work.
While this was a business project, it also had important historical ramifications, Lewis stressed, and care would be taken to protect the marine environment.
This story ran on page A16 of the Boston Globe on 09/01/99. ¸ Copyright 1999 Globe Newspaper Company.
T A P has received a 30,000 share option agreement from Potter Financial for 3 months promotional services of VGLD.For a more information on VGLD and other T A P profiled companies go to T A P profile for url |
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To: T A P who wrote () | 9/23/1999 4:51:00 PM | From: T A P | | |
VGLD NEWS!!
VISA GOLD EXPLORATIONS INC. 41 Peter Street North, Orilla, Ontario, L3V 4Y9
MEDIA RELEASE For Immediate Release September 23, 1999
Listed: CDN (Canadian Dealing Network) Current Price: $ 1.60 (Cdn)
Symbol: VGLD Shares Outstanding: 10,535,136
VISA GOLD EXPLORATIONS ANNOUNCES $1,125,000.00 PRIVATE PLACEMENT
Toronto, CANADA - The Hon. Doug Lewis, President of Visa Gold Explorations Inc.is pleased to announce a private placement of 500,000 Units at $2.25 for total proceeds of $1,125,000.00 to arm's length parties. Each unit consists of one common share and one common share purchase warrant. This warrant entitles the holder to purchase one additional common share at a price of $3.00 until September 30, 2000. The private placement is anticipated to close upon the completion of documentation, due diligence and is subject to regulatory approval.
These funds will provide additional working capital necessary for the recovery stage of the project. This stage will focus on our initial underwater targets.
Visa Gold Explorations Inc. through it's wholly-owned subsidiary, Visa Gold Resources Inc., is party to a joint venture agreement with Geomar S.A., a Cuban state-owned entity, to search for shipwrecks in two designated areas in the coastal waters of Cuba. Visa Gold has completed extensive archival research as to the potential shipwrecks in an area, which extends 70 kilometers west from Havana harbour. This stretch of sea is commonly known as Galleon Alley. Visa Gold's principal exploration targets are located, west of Havana, where a fleet of galleons went down in 1711.
For more information, contact: Investor Relations: The Winfield Group Tel: 416-745-9697, Fax: 416-740-7785; E-mail: winfield@iprimus
T A P has received a 30,000 share option agreement from Potter Financial for 3 months promotional services of VGLD.For a more information on VGLD and other T A P profiled companies go to T A P profile for url |
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To: T A P who wrote () | 10/6/1999 11:59:00 AM | From: T A P | | |
ATTENTION IMPORTANT UPDATE!! VGLD new updated website URL address is now visagoldexplorations.com Report from Pres. Hon. Doug Lewis will be posted 10/11/99. VGLD has located objects on preliminary dives targeting what is believed to be The Santissima Trinidad, a Spanish galleon that foundered in a hurricane in 1711, taking $400-million worth (todays prices) of silver coins and other treasures to the sea bed and is preparing a feasibility document, according to World Heritage standards, for the Cuban government to review and approve. Numerous shipwrecks including 25 sunken galleons have been documented in the contract area which, until recently, remained off-limits to foreigners. VGLD has a 5 year contract with a 3 year extension clause with Cuba to recover the sunken treasures.The total worth of these 25 Galleons is estimated to be in the Billions at todays Gold & Silver prices.
T A P has received a 30,000 share option agreement from Potter Financial for 3 months promotional services of VGLD.For a more information on VGLD and other T A P profiled companies go to T A P profile for url! |
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To: T A P who wrote (4) | 10/7/1999 10:19:00 AM | From: lookin forward | | |
Based on what I've seen on the web page under accomplishments,( visagoldexplorations.com They have no successful recoveries to date and haven't made a dime in five years. If I'm mistaken how about straighten me out. If I were trying to impress me, under accomplishments, I would show some actual diving undertakings that have been profitable or at least successful. What has this exploration cost so far? How much goes to the Cubans? What does it cost per day to maintain exploration? And how much time can they actually spend searching, all things considered? Since they are looking for Spanish ships, has the Spanish government released all claims to these vessels or will they try to litigate which could hold up any actually selling of these artifacts for years. Just my .02
R.M. |
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To: T A P who wrote () | 10/7/1999 1:40:00 PM | From: lookin forward | | |
Tap are you going to ignore my questions? I think they are legitimate and deserving of an answer. Why would anybody care about your new division if all you do is pump but ignore serious questions by serious investors?
R.M. |
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To: Zhivago who wrote (5) | 10/18/1999 10:49:00 AM | From: T A P | | |
Zhivago....you dont have a clue...stocks go up and down everyday of the week whether T A P promotes them or not based on the investors perception of how the stocks will do going forward. Take NTWK for instance, T A P began coverage when the symbol was MGHI at around $3 1/4 and NTWK is now $6 and T A P's contract expired over a month ago when it was at @ $5 5/16th so your comments are not justified and are without any proof of your allegations. You follow T A P to all the other company message boards and post the same garbage because why?? Did one of the stocks T A P promotes go down while you were holding....imagine that....a stock went down after a major run due to profit taking! You only take up space on these message boards and never add any research in regards to company...just repeat your same worthless unproven opinion. You might take Rocket Mans que over on VGLD Raging Bull message board as he seems to be changing his point of view and looking into VGLD regardless of what posters like you say about T A P. |
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To: T A P who wrote (8) | 10/19/1999 10:33:00 PM | From: Zhivago | | |
TAP, you are a crook devoid of any ethics. I have NEVER bought one of your stocks, because I know better.
BEWARE OF THIS VULTURE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Zhivago |
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To: T A P who wrote () | 10/20/1999 1:43:00 PM | From: T A P | | |
VISA GOLD EXPLORATIONS INC. NEWS~ FOUND ARTIFACTS!!! Canadian Dealing Network VGLD. (CDN)
Attention Business Editors:
Visa Gold Explorations announces artifact discoveries
Listed: CDN (Canadian Dealing Network) Current Price: $ 1.50 (Cdn)
Symbol: VGLD Shares Outstanding: 10,535,136
TORONTO, Oct. 20 /CNW/ - Visa Gold Explorations Inc. is pleased to announce extensive galleon artifact finds just west of Havana Harbour (6 leagues west) in an area called Jaimanites (Visa Gold site 31). After many weeks of magnetometer tow runs and underwater video tow runs Ed Burtt, Vice President of Operations for Visa Gold Explorations Inc., has confirmed several different artifact discoveries that may belong to a fleet dating back to the mid 1600's. The company's underwater exploration staff has discovered a complete intact stone ballast pile (ballast stone was used before lead keels were invented) just east of the ``Santissima Trinidad' target in the Santa Ana area. After weeks of meticulous computer analysis, Mr. Burtt has issued photographic evidence that shows many different artifacts that include: cannon balls, a lead sounding weight (used to check depth of water), pottery with blue markings (possibly originating from the Ming dynasty), a gold chalice, a gold holy cross necklace and chain and a possible cannon. ``This discovery coupled with extremely high magnetometer readings have pleasantly surprised the crew' stated Mr. Burtt, ``as these significant finds were not originally expected in this area'. ``However after weeks of extensive research, our primary documentation from historical archives in Seville, Spain lead us to believe that this debris area belongs to a fleet in the mid 1600's.'
Historical documents retrieved from Spanish archives showed: ``The merchant ship named the `ATOCHA', whose master is Geronimo Beleno that was with the Flota under the command of Admiral Juan deCampos sailed from this port (Havana) with the others and likewise encountered a storm, in the month of January. In convoy with the Armada, and while within sight of Havana, the storm overtook them. This caused the said merchant ship, ATOCHA to ground at midnight about a shot of musket distant from the Fuerza de la Punta. Another ship of this armada also grounded with less success, because almost all of the people on board drowned, 6 leagues from here. The wealth will be salvaged when the weather permits, which has been bad for several days now and considering this place is very rough, it is expected that much will be lost for the warehouses and the benefit of Justice and the Royal Officials. There being nothing more to announce in this advisory and desiring to be of service to Our Majesty I end this notice in accordance with the conformance of my obligation. Our Senor (God) grant to Our Majesty whatever he desires, Havana 5 September 1642.' From: AGI Sevilla, Seccion Indiferente General, Legajo No. 2699.
Vice President Burtt has over 35 years experience in the diving and shipwreck locating discipline. He has worked in Mexico, Bahamas and in Florida with the legendary Mel Fischer. He is a leading Canadian expert in archeological research and search and recovery of precious shipwrecks in Canada. He has worked for several Canadian governmental agencies and was responsible for locating the historical `AVRO Arrow' models in Lake Ontario back in 1993. ``These new discoveries continue to provide evidence that `Galleon Alley' has the potential to dwarf all previous finds of shipwreck treasure throughout the world' stated Mr. Burtt, ``over 13,000 ships passed through this area which is by far the most exciting stretch of sea for underwater galleon exploration in the world'. Visa Gold Explorations Inc. through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Visa Gold Resources Inc., is party to a joint venture agreement with Geomar S.A., a Cuban state-owned entity, to search for shipwrecks in two designated areas in the coastal waters of Cuba. Visa Gold has completed extensive archival research as to the potential shipwrecks in an area, which extends 70 kilometers west from Havana harbour. This stretch of sea is commonly known as Galleon Alley. Visa Gold's principal exploration targets are located, west of Havana, where a fleet of galleons went down in 1711.
-30- For further information: Investor Relations: The Winfield Group, Tel: (416) 745-9697, Fax: (416) 740-7785; E-mail: winfield@iprimus.ca
T A P has received a 30,000 share option agreement from Potter Financial for 3 months promotional services of VGLD.For free membership and more information on VGLD and other T A P profiled companies and to submit new products for review to Turn Around Products go to T A P profile for url. |
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To: T A P who wrote () | 10/21/1999 2:45:00 PM | From: T A P | | |
Canadians find key clues in undersea treasure hunt
SUSAN BOURETTE The Globe and Mail Thursday, October 21, 1999
Toronto -- Canadian treasure hunters believe they've found the first few pieces of a titanic treasure of gold and silver, the remains of ancient Spanish galleons sunk by pirates and hurricanes off the Cuban coast.
A company headed by Doug Lewis, the former solicitor-general, has discovered a gold chalice and holy cross necklace, cannon balls, and pottery with blue markings (possibly originating from the Ming dynasty), among other finds, just off the coast of Havana.
The cannon balls are particularly significant because balls of that size were used in the early 1600s -- a time when Spanish galleons sailing from Central and South America carried their richest cargos of gold and gems.
"This is just like finding King Tut's tomb. It's an important glimpse into history," said David Coates, a spokesman for Visa Gold Explorations Inc., which made the discovery. "It's also the story of greed and lust and robbing and pillaging." "It is astounding that the lust for gold and jewels was so strong that so many would have risked their lives on these ships to curry favour with the royal court."
Sunken ships carrying gold and silver looted by the Spanish conquistadors from Central and South America have remained untouched for almost five centuries along Cuba's coral reefs. Diving technology that would have helped treasure hunters retrieve the shipwrecks has only been around since the early 1960s. As well, access to the Cuban coast has been restricted by Fidel Castro since the 1959 revolution.
However, nearly two years ago, the Cuban government agreed to let the Toronto company recover what it could from the ships, which were also thought to be filled with billions of dollars in jewels and other artifacts. The two parties have agreed to share equally in the findings.
"There are thousands of envious people out there today," said Ed Burtt, Visa Gold's vice-president of operations, who has been chasing treasures buried under the sea for more than three decades.
"Americans have been trying to get to this treasure for years. They are undoubtedly sitting there and looking at us with big green eyes of envy."
The artifacts -- found about 10 kilometres west of Havana -- are still lying on the floor of the ocean, waiting to be excavated.
Taffi Fisher-Abt, an expert in the field, who has spent 20 years studying the galleons, says she believes Visa Gold's findings are significant.
Most telling, she said, is the discovery of a complete stone ballast pile, which indicates that a ship is very likely close by.
"It sounds very exciting. It's quite possible that this is a very rich find," Ms. Fisher-Abt said.
She worked alongside her famous father, Mel, who uncovered the richest Spanish treasure ship in history, the Nuestra Senora de Atocha, a galleon packed with gold and silver worth about $400-million (U.S.) that sunk off the Florida Keys in 1622.
Mr. Castro is said to have been captivated by legendary stories of the former Spanish colony's role in the so-called silver route pioneered by Hernando Cortez, who overthrew the Aztec empire in 1519. The Castro government's failed attempts to retrieve the wealth from its shores prompted its agreement with the Canadian company.
Visa Gold said it researched Spanish exploration, stretching over hundreds of years beginning in the 1500s, and traced the paths of ships that sailed between the New and Old Worlds. Of the estimated 13,000 Spanish ships that sailed between South and Central America and Spain, about 45 per cent sank before reaching their destination.
Many of them now lay close to Cuba, due in part to hurricanes, but also because of the difficulty ships had in manoeuvring the island's large coastal coral reef, Mr. Burtt said.
The company's target all along has been a fleet of five ships that foundered in a hurricane in 1711. The El Moranta Santissima Trinidad -- which carried most of the fleet's valuables -- sank with about $500-million in today's dollars in precious metals and treasure.
It was sailing from South America to Spain with a stopover in Havana. But the artifacts the company announced it found yesterday aren't thought to be from that fleet.
For his part, Mr. Lewis, the former Conservative member of Parliament and senior cabinet minister in Brian Mulroney's government, said it could prove to be the most lucrative maritime discovery of the modern age.
"There's no road map in how to do this. We'll just have to see where we go from here," Mr. Lewis said in Toronto yesterday. "But I think from what we've seen, it is tremendously encouraging."
T A P has received a 30,000 share option agreement from Potter Financial for 3 months promotional services of VGLD.For free membership and more information on VGLD and other T A P profiled companies and to submit new products for review to Turn Around Products go to T A P profile for url |
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