National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1871-10-20
The FlOrIdu Wreckers.

Many of the Florida wreckers are ma,
tives Of Connecticut. The town oi
Mystic seems to supply large proper
ton. The Bahamas have supplied some
Of the wrcckers OF this coast. They. are
called conks, and nre not so reliable,
entcrprising or intelligent. The Florida
wrecker, speaking of the vessel used Is
much like the Schooner OF the northern
fishermen. Probably no vessel floats
that equals these in safety and speed
The pilot bouts 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 so as Ia cover the wrecklnP
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 for shipping the
wrccking vessels arc stationed within
sight of each other, and signals are pass
ed on the discovery OF n wreck From
Cape Florida northward the coast is open
to the ocean and no shelter is afforded
the wrecking craft. For this reason
the wrecked vessels are often not visited
by wreckers for several days after they
90 ashore. There is n such n harvest
of wrecks, in fact, after storm on this
coast that the wreckers are obliged to
confne their duties to the ground they
have been watching.
Indian Key, about midway between
Cape Florida and Key West, is the rec
II Il &c u
In former days, when there were great
numbers Of ships laden with cotton
passing out from the Gulf to 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 was enjoy
ed by the wreckers. This harvest let
us show plainly, ia purely legitimate
matter of business. The wreckers fit
ont and man their vessels or they are
fitted by companies. aud are legally al
lowed by license to pursue the calling.
As we havo shown, they station their
crafts on certain ground, and thereby
act as watchful sentinels Should life
be in danger when wreck is discovered,
and should the vessel happen to go
ashore in II heavy storm, it is fortunate
for the sailor or traveller that these
vieilant, fearless watchers are 1T hand.
When life is saved, then goodly num-
Der Of stout men are ready to bargain
for the restoration of the ship and cargo.
This may be done 10y private arrange
ment, or by the action Of the United
States Marine Court at Key West. The
owners of the vessel are obliged to pay
certain amounts to each member of the
wrecking vessel as salvage. The vessel
has its share, the captain or chief wreck
er 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 uninhabited wastes, where al
most insurmoun.able barriers prevent
an escape inland
These wreckers of Florida, far from
being landsharks and pirates, as many
have imagined them, are known, as a
class, to be humane, kindly and honest.
have known some of them personally,
and having regarded them only as noble
and upright men. - Exchange.