San Pedro was part of the Spanish colonial convoy system of the 1700s, carrying gold, silver, and other goods from the New World back to Spain. After leaving Cuba on July 13, 1733, a hurricane forced the fleet toward the Keys, where San Pedro went aground and broke apart. Today the thoroughly salvaged site lies a short distance south of Indian Key and, designated as a State Preserve in 1989, remains a living museum in the sea.