The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-08-23
The New Lighs-House on Sea Horse Key,
Florida.

Iron the Savannah News
II is pretty generally known that the western
numerous email islands, which go under the appel
lation Of Keys-a term Of Spanish derivation, aud
by many, Ierhaps, not known as the appellate IN for
islands. To come persons abrc ad the term in itself
is therefore ambiguous; but the number Of these
Keys stretching along the coast from the Suwanee
river on the west to beyond Cape Florida, on the
East Of the Peninsula, is well calculated without
reference at all times to chart, to confuse aud
mis- cad. as to localities and geographical distnc-
tiors. Hence some of the important points on this
coast are, as to their position but little known be-
yODd the reach Of their yet limited commercial in
>iercourse. The object Of this communication is to
place in clearer light the ports aid haIbors, their
dependencies aud accessories for the com mere al
benefit OF which the light house above noticed has
been erected
The group of islands known as Cedar Keys is
situated between lat29 cegs. min. and 10 dogs and
agreesbly 10 the report OF tae superintendent of
the u s. Coast Survey, 10 miles sousheas,eriy. of
the mouth Of the Suwanee river. The pTiacpll Of
these islands are individually distinguished as sea
Horse Key. Dead Mans Key No,ih Key, Sake
Key. and Atsscpa Otic (otherwise knowa as the
Military DEPOT Key. Of the late Indian war; Tnsse
all advcL titOus Names except the latter (signi-
fyiIg Gear lsand) and form, i'll cent shape
In 'front.', Perfect Gordon OF protection around an
ample barbcr with depth of fifteen to sixteen
feet end entfacce chaancl, az ordinary ii .cs, of
tseive f.et water. The communication with the
SuwaDee is protected by line Of reefs, rendering it
safe from any ssa, and for aoy class OF boats RATS
CT haIets, whilst that with the main land (ehica is
distance Of four miles) is secured by neighboring
islar es, through which it passes.
To this part is tributary an extent of cOua.ry
which, for fertility Of soil aud capacity for agiical
ture and commerce is unequalled ia Florida. Tue
Suwsnee river, its principal t-ibutary-navieab!e
for steamers at favorable stages of water 200 miles
to Colrmbus, Florida and at gil times for distance
OF leo miles-is nine OF wealth, in its nexhausi.
cypress, border its whole exteLt, even far beyond
the reach Of steam navigation, and IFS lands are not
surpassed on any river Or in any 'untry.
Along the Gulf coast are extended those rich ham
mocks which arc fast acquiring celebrity as the
finest sugar lands this side of Cuba. The extcnt OF
country thus dependent on the port Of the Ced IT
Keys may be estimated when 1t Is known that they
foim the only secure hsrhor Of sufficient depth for
c0mmer ial pUrI oses between ST. Marks Oh tue
haze, and Tamoa BAY on tue other-a distance
either way of about o. c hundred miles.
These, ald the whole interior of the large extent
Of country. form the ample resources on WHICH
tits port is dependent as CONNIE cial mart; aud
whcH We superadd the extraordinary facilities it
affords for steam millsthc abundance and superior
quality Of timber at co nmaad, secure aud ample
space for storing it, and of shipping direct
from lie mills On board Of vessels, which, in an
hours time, in ordinary weather, can bc ut seawe
have presented plain, unvarnished account OF its
advantages and prospects, and can scarcely tud 1t
uect ssayy to ada more farther than word as to ts
heath. II is sufficient to state that no sickness
ever has originated tue Key (Atsccna Otic) since
its transfer from the military TO the civil occupa
ton. During the whole period OF the desoSating
p.stilencc which spread terror add gloon along the
Cult towns Of Louisiana, Alabama aud Florida, in
1853, ard in previous years of sickness this place
though visited, like the others, by the packet
and other vessels, escaped the general calamity
unscathed.
Many untoward circumstances have hitherto re-
tarded The population and Gcvecpmcnt o: this por-
ton Of the ntiy-amoDg which, not the least
been the difficulty OF access presented to visit
trs aud enigraLts On this eide the peninsula. Tue
pcfmar re.establ shnacht of the steam mail line
aiorg coast is now about to remove this obsta-
Gle. ard al rdipary Gale ulations ant human fore
sslt must fail If this wilderness Of native resources
do, not shortly blossom like tbe rose.
The lighthouse is now completed, and viii he
lighted on or before The first OF August. Its dis
lance fion the business part is two aud half miles,
an6 with suitable directions, the mariner, who has
never before visited the Keys. has no reed OF pilot
until reaches his anchors age under the light, such
is the plain and cay access to the port.