Hurricane Ian's ocean tides bring treasure to father, son in Jensen Beach

Mauricio La Plante, Treasure Coast Newspapers
·1 min read
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JENSEN BEACH — Wednesday was no ordinary day for Robert Harrod IV, of Port St. Lucie, and his dad, Robert Harrod III.

Hurricane Ian brought them a treasure.

The outer bands of the storm had been churning up ocean waves and bringing some stiff gusty winds.

The two were on the beach in Jensen Beach Park when the older Harrod spotted an orange string washing up with the tide.

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"It caught my eye because my dad said what is that orange thing in the water, and we looked, and I was like, this 'ain't no normal lunchbox, this is a metal box,' " Harrod said.

A mini treasure chest.

Robert Harrod IV, left, and his father, Robert Harrod III found a mini treasure chest washed up in the tide at Jensen Beach.
Robert Harrod IV, left, and his father, Robert Harrod III found a mini treasure chest washed up in the tide at Jensen Beach.

The younger Harrod jumped down an embankment the tide was toppling and snatched the box before the water could get to him.

"That was pretty crazy," he said. "I was trying to get up as fast as possible, so the tide didn't get me."

Robert Harrod IV reveals the dollars and seashells in the treasure chest he found ashore on Jensen Beach.
Robert Harrod IV reveals the dollars and seashells in the treasure chest he found ashore on Jensen Beach.

The box was a mini treasure chest hidden on the beach by two people on vacation.

A note inside said:  "It was a great vacation and we left some treasures behind for you to enjoy."

The fortune was a couple dollars and a $10 bill.

Mauricio La Plante is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm focusing on Martin County. Follow him on Twitter @mslaplantenews or email him at Mauricio.LaPlante@tcpalm.com.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Hurricane Ian in Jensen Beach: Ocean tides bring treasure to father, son