The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-12-23
Value Of
YesasIs mSld
otsl !. !. .2e5 ss,104, 300 ssOa, e9a
$i,4s4.Ss4

estimate the value OF property lost, IN vessels
and cargoes, by biging Of vessels and expenses on
vessels and oargoes after leaving this port to be
near 81, l0O0 600 for eight years; and the amount
Of money lost to the country and the world, over
and above the salvage and expenses for eight years.
will not vary much from $3.50. 600. The wrecks
have occurred within distance Of l60 miles from
Cape Florida to the Yortugss Keys.
During the past year the number Of vessels that
have struck on the dangerous reefs Of this coast il
only twenty two, which is thus accounted for.
The number Of vessels that have struck on the
Tortugas Shoals for seven years, has been not loss
than twenty eight-during the past year only two,
aud Of them was blown ashore in the hurricane
of the 22d of August last. The light is now good
and very well kept.
The light ON Carrysfort Reef is also very good,
and well kept; it was lighted on the 10th Of March,
1852 Since that time only two vessels have been
ashore in sight Of that light, and they both got off
without injury.
The light At Cape Florida is also good, and well
The light on this Key is likewise good. and very
well kept.
Sand Key Lighthouse was blown down in the hur-
ricane Of 1896 after delay of six years there is
prospect now Of its being built and lighted. Ap.
Precipitation was made last Congress, to build .
lighthouse near Key vaccas, about forty miles to
the westward Of Carrysforts light, and for beacon
to be erected on the Rebecca shoal, near the Tor
tugss, which will be of great advantage TO navi
gators
This long neglected dangerous coast has ct last
received the attention of govern ment, and the
gentlemen selected for the Lighthouse Board give
assurances to all interested in commerce, that in
few years this coast will be protected by sufficient
NUMBER OF good lights and large Deacons on the
outer shoals. An efficient force is nov at work
surveying the coast from Cape Florida to the Tor
tuRas Keys.
ton. Nature has made this island in particular the
advanced pest from which to watch and guard our
commerce passing to and from the mississippi,
while, at the same time, its peculiar situation, and
IS yFa hal tnf ant fb1
mcst cerssin key to the c0Hmercs of Havana and
that of the whole Galf of Mexico 1t possesses one
of the beet hsrbors from Pensacola to Hampton
Roads, in Virginia; ships averaging twenty eight
feet water can enter the harbor, and there
versl cbennels where vessels drawing from ten to
twenty fees can enter with safety. II is exactly
nj y one miles from the Moro Castle, in Cuba,
foreign country when Fort Taylor IL holshed,
our ships Of war and merchant SHIPS could be pro-
tec.ed Ii We ever have war With foreign ma.
tion this place, ia its present condition, could be
taken from us by one small stea nship Of war, and
q few hundred men could hold IL against thousands
to retske it. Spain, England, France, Holland and
Denmark, have all possessions near this coast. Is
il, therefore, the important point first to be put in
a state Of defence, and this fort should be COM
pleted ana naval depot established here as soon rs
possible.
have visited Tampa Bay and st. Marks, the last
month"; to ascertain why i've fine vessels were wreck
ed in fresh wafer river eight miles from the ses,
and only one hundred and fifty feet wide The rsa-
son il simply this. The masters of four of these
vessels had nothing to make fast to. The bark w.
FL. Brodis was blown or drifsed 100 yards from the
river among the trees-this vessel and cargo were
worth 500 600
The brig Waoissa was gotten of the day arrived,
by digging canal to float her also, the schooner
j. Vail.
THE brig J. G. Anderson was COTTON of some time
The bark ]. " Durham, that was blown ashore
near the mouth of the river, dismasted is far ia
land that fear she will not be gotten of. To pre-
f..4vr lneoa md aok Mar ks and
Newport, recommend to some of tho leading NOR
chants to obtain pile driver, and drive piles each
side Of the river "a, it is only $50 feet wide) II
this is done, the vessels that may DO there during
hurricane months make fast to them with chains
from zach bow and quarter, and yoa will never hear
of such accidents again on this river, If this is attend
ed to.
During tho past year / have visited Havana to ~
certain the Der of wrecks that have occurred
the coast of Cuba from the west and to the Donbs
Head Shot Keys Only four vessels have beea lost
on the north side within this range of $50 miles,
during the year ISL Accidents in tae hsr5or and
vessels ustipg into Havana have been very few.
have also visited the Bahama Keys during thu
past year, Nassau, N. F., being on the principal
hey l oould not Gad \ register, or particulars Of
wrecks. BY inquring, and from the newspaper flss,
/ ascertained that thirty-two vessels had been
wrecked within q distance Of two hundred and ffty
miles from Nassau during the year 1851. OF this
numser sixteen OF the vesseis were total loss aud
resry all their cargoss There is more loss Of pro
more exposed. The wreckers have more risk and
labor, the distance 10 greater--shsrfage, storage,
and labor are much less than at Key West. A vos-
eel can be repaired at Nassau for less sum than ut
this place The salvage paid to salvors is higher,
but the service rendered and the risk are creator
than on this coast
A lighthouse is much required on the N E. point
Of Absoo Last year the ship Russell Glover was lost
that p0n.--tho ship and cargo were worth near
$l00 900. The ship Gala was also lost, valued vt
$50, Geo Every year more Or less property IL lost
for the want Of good lght on that coast. A light
is aise vory rnU:h wanted 9n the Isascs and small
light On the Berry Island light 10 llks.ne 70.
quired on The Orange Keys II these poinri are
lighted, and the recommended lights and beacens
put up on coast, the navig alton connected With
the Gulf Stream will DO much safer for Life and
property.
Ship masters Of our country and the commercial
world, are interested in having the Bahama Keys
aAd the Florida coast properly lighted. TIE ex-
penss Of saving wrecked property 10 . gain to one
But the hundreds Of Thousands lost every year on
the Bahamas and this COAST does no ono any good,
and II is 80 much money lost to the world.
The imports and exports Of large part Of the
folio sing States pass within . few miles OF this
reef viz Florida. Alabama, Louisians, Mssissip.
pi Tennessee, Ohio, Kentucky, and Texas; also Of
Mexico, and In few years doubtless tho Pacific and
China trade will also pass near this place, IS canal
railroad viii DO made from the head Of tho Bay Of
Mexico.
The Spanish government have. within few years,
erected several Ugh houses the coast Of Cuba. /
trust the British government win 90 operate with
our government and give the subject OF lights tho
ate ntion il merits.
trust the Honorable Senate and House Of Rep
rcsentatives will comply with the memorials Of the
body Of citssns In common, aud have the salary Of
the United States District Judge raised to m
amount which will enable him 20 live here with
family, without pecuniary embarrassment. Very
respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN g HoYr,
Agent for tho Underwriters for the Bouthsrn Coast
Of Florida
Naval Intelligence.
OUR NAVAL CORRESPONDENCE.