Richard Browne, Author at The Ring Finders | Page 15 of 25

Washburn Island, Massachusetts: Lost Ring Found and Returned

  • from Cape Cod (Massachusetts, United States)

A long time favorite beach of Katie and Chris, Washburn Island is only accessible by boat as there are no bridges. I had often thought about tripping to the island myself but never made solid plans.

I had been contacted via J&E Enterprises, my detector dealer, about a lost ring on the Island. Sure I would go. After Katie contacted me about her husband’s lost ring and told me pertinent information such as area and time of loss, item material etc. we made plans to make a recovery trip on Sunday. All was fine until King Neptune sent in high waves along with Mother Natures high winds which shut down the marina. No boat could leave the docks on Sunday. Next plan was for a Friday trip with low tide and predicted weather being much more favorable.

Friday came and so did moderate seas with 2-3 foot waves., it was a go. Chris the owner of the lost ring, knew where we were going. Twice I heard him say NO, the next inlet, around the NEXT curve. Well he would be proven correct, He beached the boat and told me the ring was lost within 15 feet of the boat, as he remembered it should be in the water, not on the sandy beach.

I drew marker lines in the sand made two passes and on the third I heard the beautiful tone of gold. One shallow scoop and shake or two and I walked to Chris and let him remove his ring from the scoop. He did so in total disbelief. Then without much ta-do, he was off running down the beach to where Katie had walked with their dog Mauricio. It was a wonderful sight, the reason I enjoy my hobby, the love of people and the happiness I can bring them after a traumatic happening such as a lost wedding band..

By the way, it was Mauricio who had just been lifted into the boat before Chris’s ring slipped off his finger. My thanks must go out to him for this wonderful experience.

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Lost ring found in Falmouth Heights, Cape Cod, Massachusetts

  • from Cape Cod (Massachusetts, United States)

To find a lost ring; find a Ring Finder at: TheRingFinders.com Cape Cod, MA

That is all it took for Lindsay to reunite her husband and his ring that had fallen off in Nantucket Sound while swimming at Falmouth Heights Beach. It was just a short mini vacation to the Cape for a few good meals and a few hours on the beach away from the daily pressures of the Covid19 epidemic.

They were having a great time until the day before returning home. That’s when Mike’s ring slipped off his finger into the water. They thought of buying a replacement. After weighing all options it was decided to first give a Ring Finder a chance to locating the ring. Nothing more to loose they gave their friend’s recommendation to contact me a try.

When first contacted the tide and waves were such that I would not be able to get out far enough into the area the ring was lost at. The next day the swells were done to about a foot and the low tide was at 2:30. Perfect for shot at finding the ring. With e-mails and a picture of were the ring was lost in hand I found a “free” parking space and headed to the water. The second pass and I had the wedding band in my scoop.

I called Lindsay and made arrangements to return the ring via the USPS. A request for a photo of Mike with his reunited ring for the book of smiles.


Man’s Wedding Band Lost & Found on Private Dennis, Massachusetts Beach.

  • from Cape Cod (Massachusetts, United States)

With sun screen lotion applied and ready for a great game of Spikeball Thomas was ready to enjoy his vacation get away. Not only was he ready so was his ring. His ring had been waiting for two years for a short bit of freedom to frolic on a sandy beach for a day. A quick spike at a ball and then it took its chance.

Several hours of looking and hand sifting of the sand did not reveal the ring’s hiding place. A call to a Ring Finder … and I was on my way. Within 20 minutes I was talking to Thomas face to face. A short walk to the beach and Thomas was pointing out where the blanket was, where Spikeball was played, and the area where he had swam.

Low tide was now, so I started the search at the water’s edge and progressed up the beach’s slope. At the top of the slope was the area where Spike Ball was played and Thomas’s wedding band had made its escape. The dry sand was to be my second area to search. The entire beach had been cleaned with a beach rake and I could see not only my tracks of the tight search pattern I was holding but also Thomas’s footprints. As I passed my coil over Thomas’s footprint I head the signal that was unmistakably from a desirable target. Two scoops, a spread of the sand pile, and there was a “clunk clunk” from my scoop. I knew I had the item I was searching for, Thomas’ ring. To my surprise 5/12/18 was inscribed in side…my birthday May 12th.

I walked back to Thomas’s cottage and rinsed off my gear, and took a few notes after giving Thomas his ring. I had forgotten to pick up my camera and cell phone that were charging and my unfinished fresh cup of coffee when I left home. Thomas came to my aid and took the pictures needed for this story and offered a cup of coffee. Happy vacation days can now continue with smiles and a new vacation story to tell.

Rapid Response Metal Detecting Service in Dennis MA, Lost Wedding Band found and returned

  • from Cape Cod (Massachusetts, United States)

Jeff a family friend of Kate to whom we, Luke and I, found and returned a ring to last year needed our assistance this year. Jeff had taken his ring off to apply sun screen and “safely” placed it in a pocket from which it somehow found its way into the damp sand.

How did Jeff reach out for help? It was Jeff’s good fortune that he had taken a picture of Luke’s “TheRingFinders” shirt last year which has Luke’s phone number on it. Jeff called Luke who was in Rhode Island at the time. Luke in-turn called me for help. About 15 minutes later I was getting my gear ready for the search. Jeff met me at the car park and we walked to the beach. A quick reminisce of last year’s events and a quick overview of where his ring should be and I was on the hunt. The first signal was a fresh beer bottle cap, the second was Jeff’s ring. Total search distance searched was ten feet covered in less than one minute and in less than half an hour from the time I left home I was home again. This search resulted in one of the fastest returns, if not the fastest I have been involved in.

Once again all is well on the home front.

Two last bits; First, I must apologize for the out of focus photo. Second, I should have checked before leaving the beach, second… Until next year, enjoy!

Read Kate’s story at: https://theringfinders.com/blog/Richard.Browne/2019/08/engagement-ring-returned-owner-ring-finders-team-effort-dennisport-ma/

Haigis Beach, Dennis Port, Massachusetts Ring Lost, Found and Return

  • from Cape Cod (Massachusetts, United States)

Joe was frolicking around with his son in the beach waters of Haigis. As we all know something unexpected is always bound to happen. When father and son’s hands connected the result was Joe’s wedding band went sailing off into the ocean. This ring has had a habit of taking leave from its appointed place of adornment. It had been an escapee five previous times, the first time was onto a nice dry sandy beach, once into a rock pile, a couple of times into fall cleanup debris, once a fall from the top of a ladder only to lodge between the ladder and a dock which foiled its escape into the water which was 20 feet deep. After each disappearance it was always found. This is probably the one ring that has been lost and found more times than any other ring.

This time the ring was to stay in Nantucket Sound for 2 days before it would accompany the blooming plum flowers and fresh sea air again while adorning Joe’s finger again.

The family vacation had been planned as a trip to South Carolina. Covid-19 put a halt on flying and the plans had to changed. The new plans were to enjoy the amenities on Cape Cod this would not require flights to and from South Carolina. The vacation town of South Yarmouth was chosen. What luck for the ring and Joe as I would not have been in South Carolina to retrieve the wayward ring.

Joe had the presence of mind to mentally take notice location identifying features of the beach. Each helped in narrowing the search area. I marked the sand and went into the water. I covers the first two areas directly in front of the marked area with no results. I moved about ten feet further east, again nothing. Next ten feet to the west. It was not long before I heard the sweet sound of the wayward ring. I scooped it up and walked into shore toward Joe. He thought I was giving up and needed a drink of water. True, but his daughter spotted the ring in my scoop first. Joe’s glance was second to spot the rings new resting place. A call of joy prompted by the sight of his ring, Joe signaled to his wife and son to come out of the water. They all joined in on a multitude of Thank Yous and a promises not to let the ring escape again.

Lost and Found Ring Cahoon Hollow Beach National Seashore Wellfleet, Massachusetts

  • from Cape Cod (Massachusetts, United States)

If you leave 3 guys alone on the beach to have fun in the sun on Cape Cod…What can go wrong?

Sharks for one, sunburn for two and the dreaded lost wedding band for number three. Surely the three physically fit men should be able to find a very special wedding band in a bit of sand. But from the time of loss to the setting of the sun, it proved to be too big a task for them. It was now time for a woman to take charge.

Allissa, Brenton’s wife, reach out to a local detecting group in my home state of Connecticut. She was given good information; get in touch a group called TheRingFinders.com. Within a half an hour after receiving an E-mail I had a game plan set into motion. Being the loss occurred on Federal Property and it is illegal to detect there, special permission would be required from the proper authority. But with Corvid-19 closures in force it seemed to be impossible. No one was answering phone calls or E-mails. A call to the local police did yield a number to call at the National Park Service Headquarters.

Brenton requested permission to let “Ring Finders” utilize metal detectors during a specific time and for the specific lost ring. It took almost 24 hours of searching to obtain the permission. Brenton did not give up and was responsible for our search to happen legally during the next daytime low-tide. On the beach two Ring Finders, myself and Luke, were ready and with all the given information and our gear. It did not take long, maybe 5 minutes and the search was over, Brenton had his ring back on his finger.

It was great to see the three guys go from doubtful of to being amazed of how two guys would come out, look for a lost ring, find and return it within such a short time. Then it came to light, Brenton’s lucky number is 33. This return for me was number 233! It is our hobby that brings unique people that we would otherwise not have met into our life and proves good thing can come from an adverse situation. We love what we do.

Several people deserve big Thank You including Allissa for contacting TheRingFinders.com, all 3 guys for marking the area of loss, the two Ring Finders and especially the Supervisory Ranger for granting permission to conduct the search on Federal Property. OH, I forgot special Thank You goes to Benton for making this story happen. He accomplished the near impossible.

Bass River Cape Cod, Massachusetts Wharf: wedding band lost, found and returned

  • from Cape Cod (Massachusetts, United States)

After a day at yachting Steve could not resist playing with a few quahog clams while wading back ashore. Unfortunately the cool water helped his ring slip from its normal resting place of many years. Hours of hand sifting and eyeballing the river’s bottom for the ring did not coax it back out of the water.

Steve wanted nothing to do with a replacement ring. With a tip from a friend Steve found my number at TheRingFinders.com, called and left a message. I had been out and missed his call. As my luck is Steve was busy getting a haircut – yes the barber was open for his second day. With his neat looking head of hair Steve returned my call without listening to my message. Forty-five minutes later we were heading down the path to the boathouse and beyond to the wharf.

Steve borrowed a pair of water-shoes to wade out into the river and show me just where his ring should be. I started to search a bit closer to the wharf than I was told. But then again I always start to the outside of the Box. My third swing and I had a great signal. My first, second and third scoop were empty. But the signal was still there although it had moved from the center of my first digs. Fourth scoop and as much as I liked the sound of the signal I would not have been surprised to see a pull tab in my scoop. But not this time the only object was this large beautiful wedding band.

Steve removed the ring from the scoop, put it back on his finger. There to stay. A bit choked up, Steve was still able to thank me. Smiles and Thank You were my reward. I love this hobby of mine. If I did not know better I think I can see a bit of a tear in the photo. I’d have to guess it was Steve’s wife who shed the tear of joy. I forgot to take pictures at the river’s edge. Steve had not. I had to ask him to take a photo or two for me. Don’t you just love the amazing picture of the ring? There is not another one that could have replace such a sentimental piece of love and togetherness. All in the name of love.

RingFinder not foiled by a Stud Earring in Wequassets’ sandy beach. Harwich, MA Lost & Found

  • from Cape Cod (Massachusetts, United States)

Cristin was strolling along Wequassets’ sandy beach when her daughter brushed a diamond stud earring from its adoring place in Cristin’s ear. Hours of searching did not locate the sparkling jewel from its resting place.

I was just sitting around enjoying the Fathers’ Day activities when a call for help rang in on my phone. The tide was on its way in and the bags and car were packed ready for the day’s drive home after what was a beautiful mini-vacation had been. Only one thing was missing, the earring. The last chance to find the earring. It would be up to my skill and my up-to-date technology filled metal detector. Mind you a stud earring is a very small target on a very large beach. In hopes the many variables in detector setting would be ample to locate the missing earring or it would be a sad trip home for Cristin.

A short walk to the isolated section of beach and I was searching like a blood hound. Every so often I stopped dropped the lost earring’s mate which was now safe in a plastic bag and tweaked the detector’s settings for the best possible signal response from the tiny object. About 20 minutes into the search I heard the signal I was waiting to hear. I moved a bit of sand and saw the small sparkle in the sand. A quick pinch and I lifted the small metal setting with diamond still in tack. I then let Cristin listen to the signal difference between her stud earring and my wedding band. She was amazed at the very faint signal of the stud and how I could pick it out from the many similar signals.

The return ensured a happy and enjoyable memories of the family’s first stay at the resort. It also will be part of my many memorable searches and returns I have made over the past 38 year of enjoying my hobby, metal detecting, and helping others.

Gold Necklace Cape Cod, MA Found in Debris Can and Returned

  • from Cape Cod (Massachusetts, United States)

I had been called for help to search for a lost item, the location was a so far away and as I had not seen a detecting friend for almost a month due to “social distancing”. I ask Leighton to join in on the search. He agreed so off we went. The search was unsuccessful, but hope was that the ring had gone down the swimming pool’s drain and we would return with more gear and an underwater camera to continue the search. On our way home from the search Leighton received a message from an old friend about his mother’s lost gold necklace. Leighton made a few calls, got a name, address and more information about the chain. We were now on the way to help find Nadine’s chain. The chain had been her father’s and she has worn it as a bracelet since her father’s passing. It had Great Sentimental Value, one lost item that needed to be found and return.

Upon arriving at the address, we had to wait on Nadine’s grand entrance. Never have we been greeted by such a big bucket loader, one that Parker on Gold Rush would be proud to play with in his search for gold. Nadine was in the family’s new “toy”. A toy that I really hoped we would not need to move dirt around while looking for the necklace.

The area to search was small, and we had finished searching it in just a few minutes with no results. A barrel of clippings was nearby and beckoned to be dumped and searched. Now, knowing a chain is a difficult target for any metal detector to respond to, I was listening for any small signal. Two non-productive signal were examined and then one I heard a signal I just could not ignore. I did not visually see the chain, but my handheld pinpionter was surely telling a metal object was there. A push with the pin-pointer to move clippings around…there it was, the glint of gold.

The next happenings were hugs and Thank Yous, disregarding “Social Distancing” were in order. Corvid-19 would not dare to invade moments that just happen when such a sentimental item is found and returned. Photos and more Thank You words followed before Leighton and I were on our way home where we will wait for the next call requesting a metal detectorist’s help.

Yarmouth, Massachusette Lost, Found and Returned Wedding Band

  • from Cape Cod (Massachusetts, United States)

This request for help was received just 2 minutes after the request to help in retrieving a cell phone from a marina. With the phone found and returned I was on my way home when Jeff got back in touch and told me of the wedding band that slipped from his finger while frolicking in the surf with this 5 year old son. A small area in shallow water, only one problem I would not be at the beach until 9PM. Good news was the tide was going out and would be low in about 3 hours. Good enough to start the search as the sea was very calm.

An hour went by with many pull tabs, bottle caps and bits of aluminum foil retrieved but no ring or even a coin. Another half hour and Jeff had to return home and get ready to leave for home in the morning. I said fine, I will go a bit deeper and work my search pattern back to the shore before going home. I will call when I get out of the water.

I went out to chest deep water almost to the end of the jetty, beyond where Jeff said he had gone and started searching again. On the third pass closer to the beach another signal rang in my ears and moments later the ring was in my scoop. I rushed back to the car to call Jeff. As my phone did not have Jeff’s phone number stored in it I had to call my wife. She called and left a voicemail with the information on Jeff phone after listening to the “Unavailable” message. Within minutes of the time my wife called me, Jeff was in sight and heading to my car. All I could see was his huge smile and a twinge of disbelief showing in he eyes. When Jeff saw the ring, he thanked me many times and wanted to know what he could do for me. Just a Thank You note is all I asked for. The time really passed quickly and it was now 11PM, time to head home and to bed as I had an early morning meeting to look for another lost ring.

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