Freediver Retrieves Graduation Ring That Was Displaced in Ocean 47 Years Ago, Owned by 83-Year-Old Individual

**The Extraordinary Reunion of a Forgotten Ring Discovered on the Ocean Floor of Barbados**

The ocean has always been viewed as a domain of enigma, its depths hiding innumerable lost treasures accumulated over time. These items, either carried away by tides or buried deep in the ever-changing sands, often remain undiscovered. Yet, occasionally, luck seems to smile upon individuals, recovering things that many believed were forever gone. This was the unforeseen situation for Morgan Perigo, an alumnus of McMaster University, who recently found his cherished artifact that he lost back in 1977.

In 1977, Perigo visited Barbados with his family to bask in the Caribbean sunshine and revel in the island’s natural beauty. One afternoon at the beach, Perigo, then aged 37, ventured into the ocean with his little son. What was to be a routine moment transformed into a poignant memory when, amidst the excitement of catching his son after a wave knocked him down, his treasured McMaster University graduation ring slipped from his finger and disappeared into the clear water. After hours of unsuccessful searching, Perigo resigned to the unfortunate reality that his precious gold-and-maroon ring, a reminder of his days as a math major, was lost for good.

Now 83 years old, Perigo never imagined he would lay eyes on the ring again. Nearly fifty years had passed, and it had become a relic of the past. That is, until an ordinary email changed everything.

### The Surprising Discovery by Freediver Alex Davis

Fast forward to 2023, and the tale took an unexpected twist. Alex Davis, a skilled freediver residing in Barbados, was utilizing his leisure time to explore the local shores with his underwater metal detector—a hobby that had gained newfound interest following the significant sand shifts caused by Hurricane Beryl. In his search among coins and debris, Davis stumbled upon what would become an exhilarating find. As the familiar sound from his metal detector echoed, he delved six inches into the sand, unveiling a glimmer of gold.

Davis was accustomed to uncovering intriguing artifacts beneath the waves but felt a strong urge to return this lost item to its rightful owner. He had discovered an engraved signet ring from McMaster University—complete with three initials inscribed on the inside: “FMP.” Although it bore the marks of time, the ring’s importance was unmistakable.

“Anyone who’s spent time near the sea, whether diving or not, will undoubtedly lose numerous items to the sea gods… It’s heartwarming to think that you might be able to recover them someday,” Davis shared in an interview with CBC. Driven by the desire to reunite the ring with its owner, Davis contacted the university, seeking potential leads.

### Piecing Together the Puzzle: Locating the Owner

The task now rested with McMaster University’s alumni office. With minimal clues—just the letters “FMP” and a vintage ring design—it was a formidable challenge to pinpoint the rightful owner. Nevertheless, alumni officer Laura Escalante embraced the challenge, combing through old records until she discovered a match: Morgan Frederick Perigo, a graduate from the class of 1965.

With the pieces aligned, Escalante reached out to Perigo via email. His reply was one of sheer disbelief. “This is unbelievable news,” Perigo responded, expressing his astonishment at the recovery of something he had long ago relegated to memory. What ensued was an emotional journey that culminated in the ring’s return to Canada, coinciding with a particularly special event: Perigo’s 83rd birthday.

“It was a fantastic, unexpected birthday gift,” Perigo told CBC, clearly moved by the kindness of Davis and the serendipitous timing. Reflecting on the returned keepsake, he articulated how significant the ring had always been to him and how amazed he was by the remarkable chain of events that brought it back to him.

### A Common Appreciation for the Ocean and Its Blessings

While Alex Davis’s enthusiasm for freediving in the warm waters of Barbados had already granted him glimpses of abundant marine life, his passion for treasure hunting now held deeper meaning. He conveyed that, for him, the quest was as much about giving back as it was about seeking treasure for himself.

“I don’t engage in this simply to hoard all the gold,” Davis stated. “I want people to reclaim their belongings.” His generous spirit and commitment to reuniting a man with his long-lost ring serve as a refreshing reminder that, at times, the ocean returns its gifts.

As the marine ecosystem continues to unveil surprises—from ancient artifacts on lakebeds to valuable remnants of modern history drifting in the currents—it’s evident that there are endless narratives waiting to be uncovered just beneath the surface. And, as was true for Morgan,