The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1872-02-03
The Florida Wreckers.

Many OF the Florida wreckers are
natives OF Connecticut. The tow Of
Mystic seems to supply large proper.
tion. The Bahamas have supplied some
Of the wrockers Of this coast. They
are called conks, sud are not so reliable,
entoEpTiglng or intelligent. The Florida
vraoker, 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 boats are like them, but usu.
ally larger 4 captain and six men con
stiLute the usual crew. 10 most iu-
stances two vessels work in company.
As j. often happens that several vessels
arc owned BY one company they take
stations so as to cover the wrecking
grodnd to good advantage. From Cape
Florida to Key West is about two huu.
dred and Fifty miles; on this ground,
which IS fatal one for shipping, the
wrecking vessels are stationed within
sight Of each other, aad signals are
passed on the discovery of wreck.
From Capo Florida northward the coast
is open to the ocean and no shelter is
afforded the wrccsing craft For this
reason the wrecked vessels are often
rot visited By wreckers for several days
after they 80 ashore. There is such a
harvest Of wrecks, in fact, after storm
on this colst that the wreckers are obi.
ged to confne their duties to the ground
they have been watching.
Indian Key, about midway between
Cape Florida and Key West, is the
recognized rendezvous of the wreckers.
In former days, when there were great
numbers Of ships laden with cotton pas
sing out from the Gulf to our own ports
aCd those of the Old World, wrecks
were, Of course, more common. A vas,
amount Of wealth was carried by even
cue ship, aud if the vessel become hope
lessiy stranded a rich harvest was en-.
| joyed by the wreckers. This harvest, Let
US show plainly, is purely legitimate
matter Of business. The wreckers fl
Gu, and man their vessels or they ar,
fitted BY companies, and are legally al.
lowed BY license to pursue the calling
AS We have showu, they station Their
crafts on certain ground, and thereb,
act as watchlul senlincls. Should liii
be in danger when a wreck is discover
ed, and should the vessel happen to e
ashore IN heavy storm, il is fortunate
for the sailor traveller these vigilant
fearless watchers are at hand. When
life Is saved, then a goodly number oI
stout men are ready to blrgain for the
restoration of the shi? aud cargo. Thi,
may be dorc BY private arrangement
or by the action OF the United States
Marine Court 4. Key West. Tn
owners OF the vesse! are obliged to pa
certain amounts 20 each member of IT,
wrceking.yessel as salvage, The vcss 9
has its share, the captain os chief wrec k
er his, and the crew their portion. T,
fully appreciate the services of th es
men we need only imagine them re
moved from these places What los s Q
life would there be in time Of fhurric lne
What suffering from hunger and thirs
upon uninhabited wastes, where almos
lnsurmountablo barriers prevent an cs
cape inland.
These wreckers of Florida, fur frou
being laudsharks aud pirates, as man
have imagined them are known, as
class, to bo.humaue, kindly and honest
| have known some of them personally
and having regarded them only as nobl
and upright men.