New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1853-01-19
FLORIDA.
Wrecks-Nreckipg Busiucss, &c.

COsr,sponoepce Of TheN. Y. Trlsuza
Key WEST, Wednesday, Jan. 10, 1853
Since Jan. ], five wrecks have occurred upon
the reefs of Florida and within the jurisdiction
of the wreckers of this island.
The first was a small vessel from Maine
loaded with lime.
The second was the ship WoOdside, from
Mobile, freigh,ed with spars and ship timber for
the French Navy.
The third was the schooner Eliza, from New
Bedford, loaded with Government oil for the
lighthouses
The fourth was the bark George Thomas,
from St. Mark 5 to New-York, loaded with about
200 bales Of cotton and some tobacco.
The fifth was the bark Edward Everett, from
Boston to ew-Orleans, freighted with granite,
about 1000 bags OF coffee, and an assorted
cargo.
Inc salvage upon the first was $500; upon
the second materials) $3.50; upon the third,
$500; upon the fourth and fifth not yet
awsrded-but the aggregate salvage will reach
about $4,000.
These wrecks, of course, have infused new
life into the business aspect of this isolated
Key, and lighted up the faces of its mscellane-
Gus residents with Joyous smiles For months,
rot a single wreck had gladdened the watchful
and anxious vision of the numerous wreckers
as they sailed along the coast, and among the
beautiful islands thereof and now the losses and
misOrtunes of others, have rewarded their
protracted, hazardous and hitherto proftle,s
watcLfulpess.
Ibavc, heretofore, said that the wreckerswere
n bold hardy and honest class of men, and that
although their occupation has been, aud is still
sometimes, regarded asquasi piratical, the truth
is, that while they labor Tor gain as other men,
still there are few employments so intimately
associated with doing good TO others. The
wrecker daringly hazards the dangers of the
mighty deep" andis constantly around the dan
CerOus reefs and shoals to save the lives and
property of others The result of their labors
is to save, although the inducement thereto be
To get money.
My observation here has convinced me that at
least one half of all the wrecks upon the Florida
coast are the result Of design, generalization,
fraud and collision; and that while the wreck.
ers are uniuStly charged with the Odium attached
to such criminal and fraudulent acts, it is the
captains Individually, and the owners and wreck
ing merchants in collision with them, who are
generally the guilty party.
The Captain Of wrecked vessel, after il is
in the custody of the wreckers has the con-
simment of the cargo, and this consignment
calls for the larger share of the spoiis of the
wreck and where there is active competition
among merchants seeking consigments, the mer-
chant who will divide the most literally his
commission fees, with the Captain, is almost in
varsbly the consignee. Thus dishonest Cap
tain who has desgnedly run his vessel upon the
Rect, generally obtains from his consignee from
$50 TO 81 900, according TO the value and na-
ture of his cargo. Again, the wrecker who first
boards the wreck receives the largest share of
the salvage, and has the selection of such ether
wreekers Us he may need, and at q certain pro-
portionate share of the salvage thus il not I'M
frequently occurs, that dishonest Captain of
vessel cOlludes with the Captain of a wrecker-
agreeing TO run his vessel ashore at time and
place agreed upOn-the nreeker 10 be On the
lookout" and be the first JOarder, and then
divide the salvage awarded thus the Captain
of vessel with a valuable cargo, by designedly
running upon the reef can drive a bargain"
about the spoiis with the wrecker and merchant,
either before or after the wreck and that
large portion Of the wrecks On this coast are
chargeable 20 the Captains dishonesty and Grim
inal collisions, is perfectly notorious here
ubOats"
Again the owners OF vessels that are rapidly
approaching unseawOrthiness' are singulsrly
unfortunate in having them wrecked, par.icu-
lariy when well insured; and, finally, the large
premiums, good dividends and prosperous bust
ness Of marine insurance companies and under
writer's depend materially upon the number and
frequency OF wrecks, for who would insure his
vessel or cargo if there were no marine disas-
tiers, or Who would insure hls life if death were
unknown 1t is, indeed, the number aud ire
quency OF wrecks and deaths that are published
and placsrded by the insurers 70 win additional
risks and increased rates.
The wreckers. therefore. are entitled 10
hardly fractional part of the odum attached
TO the wTecking business; it is the captains and
owners OF wrecked vessels and wrecking CON-
mission merchants who are the "chiefest sin
hers" while the sin is "wiaked NJ" BY the in
sureIs and underwriters according to circum-
stances"
The smallpox is prevalent az Havana, some
1900 cases reported at last arrival. and the
choera still continues among the Bahama Isles.
All vessels from either place are qusrantined
.t this port, and no fruit OF vegetables permitted
10 land.
Key West has been visited, during the past
mouth. with frequent showers, which is quite
unusual at this seasoI-the weather, however,
is mid and sprins-hke, the average range ofthe
Thermometer being 7G' 1t is an evergreen spot,
where flowers are IN perpetual bloom oT'ESo
Cy A slight shock Of an earthquake was sen
shiy f.!t 81 Ailedrs-e Ca On the sth ins st74oP N