Centre Hall reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1868-1871, 1871-10-20

Many of the Florida wreckers ARE ma
tives OF Connecbcnt The town 0f
Mystic seems 10 supply large propor-
ton. The Bahamas have supplied some
of the wreckerH OF this coast Tney Mrr
called conks, and are not 80 rulthpie,
cntcrpriaing or intelligent The Florida
wrecker, speaking Of the vessel used. is
much ike the schooner Of the northern
fishermen. Probably no vessel hoats
that equals these in safety and speed
The pilot boats are like them, but
usually larger. A captain and six men
constitute the usual crew. In most in
stances two vessels work in company.
As IL often happens that several vessels
are owned by one company they take
stations 30 as TO cover the wrecking
ground 10 good advantage. From Cape
Florida 20 Key West is about two hun
dred and fifty miles; ON this Eruunds
which is a fatal one for shipping, the
wreckfnr vessels ARE stationed within
sight OF enah other, ami signals are pass
ed ON the discovery OF wreck. From
Cane Florida northward the coast DIV open
10 the ocean and no shelter II afforded
tho. wreckinr craft. For this reason
the wrecked vessels are often not visited
by wreckers for several days after they
90 ashore. There IL q such q harvest
OF wrecks. In fact, after storm ON this
coast that the xreckers are obliged 20
confine their duties TO the ground they
have been watching.
Indian Key, about midway between
Cane Florida and Key West Is the rec
oQnised rendezvous of the vreckers-
In former days, when there were great
numbers OF ships laden with cotton
passing out from the Gulf 10 our own
ports and those Of the Old World, wrecks
were. of course, more common. vast
amount OF wealth was carried by even
one ship, and if the vessel became hope
lessly stranded rich harvest WINS enjoy
AL Nv the wreclers. This harvest, let
MS show plainly, In q purely legitimate
matter OF business. The wreckers nt
out and man their vessels or they are
fitted by companies. and are legally al
lowed by license 10 pursue the calling.
Az we have shown, they station then
crafts on certain ground, and thereby
act as watchfnl sentinels. Should hfe
be In danger whena q wreck is discovered,
and should the vessel happen 10 SO
ashore in a heavy storm, il is fortunate
for the sailor or traveller that these
viailant, fearless watchers are nc hand.
When life ia saved, then a goodly mum
ber OF stout men are ready 10 bargain
for the restoation OK the ship and cargo
This may be done by q private arrange
ment. or by the action OF the United
States Marine Court al Key West Th'
owners OF the vessel are obliged TO pa.
certain amounts 30 each member OF th'
wrecking-vessel as salvage. The vesse
has lis share, the captain OK chief wreck
or his, and the crew their portion. II
fully appreciate the services of thes
men we need only imagine them re
moved from these places What loss o
| life would there be in times of hurricane
What suffering from hunger and thirs
upon uninhabited wastes, where al
most insurmounsable barriers Preven
an escape inland.
These wreckers of Florida, FAR from
being landsharks and pirates, % man,
have imagined them, are known, as
class, 10 be humane, kindly and honest
| I have known some OF them personally
and having regarded them only as nobl'
and upright men, Erchd'age.