The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-10-03
THE FLORIDA WRECKERS.
Their Habits and Mode OF Iife-Valua-
bic Services to Vessels i'm Distress.

A correspondent of the New York Evening
Post, In the course of an nteresting article on
the wrecking interest, says
In Florida there is class more strictly de-
nominated wreckers the those of Massachu-
setts, as they are licens, as such, and spend
their whole time in aiding the craft that may
90 ashore upon the dread reefs Of the Cult
coast The Florida wrecker, speaking OF the
vessel used, Is much like the schooner OF our
Northern fishermen. Probably no vessel floats
that equals these In safety and speed. The
pilot boats are like them, but usually
larger. A captain and six men consli-
tuto the usual crew. In most instances two
sssels work in company. AS 1t often hap
pens that several vessels are owned by one
company, they take stations so as 10 cover the
wrecking ground TO good advantage. From
Cape Florida 10 Key West Is about two hun
dred and fifty miles; On this ground, which Is
fatal one tor our shipping, the wrecking YES
sells are stationed within sight OF each other,
and signals are passed on the discovery Of a
wreck. From Cape Florida northward the
coast Is open to the ocean and no shelter Is
afforded the wrecklng.craft. For this reason
the wrecked vessels are often not visited by
wreckers for several days alter they 60 ashore.
There Is such O harvest OF wrecks, In fact,
after storm on this coast that the wreckers
are obligei to confine their duties to the
ground lhey have been watching.
Indian Key, about midway between Cape
Florida and Key West, is the recognized rem
devious OF the wreckers. In former days,
when there were great number OF ships laden
with cotton passing out from the Gull to our
own ports and those of the Old World, wrecks
were, Of course. more common. A vast
amount of wealth was carried by even one
ship. and II the vessel became hopelessly
stranded, a rich harvest was enjoyed by the
wreckers. This harvest, let us show plainly,
Is purely legitimate matter OF business. The
wreckers it out aud man their vessels or they
are lifted by companies, aud are legally allow
ed by license to pursue the calling. As we
have shown, they station their craft on GER
tain ground, and thereby act as watchtul Sen
tlnels. Should life be In danger when
wreck Is discovered, and should the vessel
happen TO 20 ashore IN heavy storm, 1t is
fortunate for the sailor or traveller that
these vlgllant. fearless watchers are at hand.
When lite Is saved, then goodly number of
stout men are ready to bargain for the resto-
ration Of the snip and cargo. This may be done
by q private arrangement, or by the action of
the United tates Marine Court at Key West.
The owners of the vessel are Obliged 10 pay
certain amounts to each member Of the wreck
ing vessel as salvage. The vessel has It's share.
the captain or chief wrecker his, and the crew
their portion. To fully appreciate the services
of these men We need only Imagine them re-
moved from these places. What loss OF life
would there be in times Of hurricane. What
suffering from hunger and thirst upon unn-
hahited wastes. where are almost insurmount-
able barriers TO prevent an escape inland.
Thps, wrerkrrs OF florida, far from being
landsharks au,l pirates, as many nave imas
ineu them, are known. as CLASS. W oe nu
name. kindly and honest. have known some
of them personally, and have regaroeo theil
only as noble and upright men.