The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1936-04-02
This And Many Other Sub
jects Come Before Reg
ular Session OF Organ
ization Last Evening

Destruction of a beacon in the
intracoastal waterway by the
Ferry Key West and the claim
made against the ferry system by
the lighthouse department was the
subject of lengthy discussion at
the meeting of board of county
commissioners last night.
Present were: Chairman Carl
Bervaldi, Commissioners VIM. r.
Porter, Norberg Thompson and
Nathan Niles, Attorney Vim. "
Allbury, Clerk Ross c. Sawyer,
Chief Deputy Sheriff Bernard
Waite, Executive FERA Officer
Franklin E. Albert, Captain STAN
ley Key of the Ferry Key West,
and J. F. Dion, representing GER
tain property interests.
The question OF replacing the
beacon was called to the attention
of the board by a communication
from Mr.. Albert in which he set
forth that he had been advised of
the destruction Of the beacon by
Superintendent w. w. Demeritt
who had sent his office a COM
munication in which it was shown
the beacon had been destroyed,
and valuing the aid at approx
mately $500.
MIR. Albert explained that while
the Ferry Key West was respon-
sible for the fo1s of the beacon,
the action of Captain Key in put
ting line around the light while
he was getting anchors out during
heavy winds and dangerous seas,
was done under stress of the mo-
ment, and was necessary.
Explains Situation
Captain Key explained that
during the stormy weather of sew
eral weeks ago he found it neces-
sary to bring the Key West to
anchor for the safety Of the YES
sci, load of 20 automobiles
and a large group of. passen-
gers.
In order to get the anchors out
as quickly as possible he made a
line fast to the beacon, not know
ing, he said, that. the beacon was
not securely fastened at the base.
While the anchors were being
placed over board the ferry's
floating movement brought the
hawser attached to the beacon
taut, and the navigation aid was
torn away.
The action of making fast to
the beacon and its subsequent loss
was an emergency measure, the
captain continued, and he as mas
ter of the vessel and responsible
for the safety of the vessel, pas
sengers and freight, did what he
deemed best under the circum-
stances.
Name Committee
1t was decided to appoint a
committee to take up the matter
with Superintendent Demeritt.
Chairman Bervaldi appointed Mr..
Porter, Mr.. Niles and Attorney
Albury and Mr.. Albert was asked
to accompany them.
Chief Harry Baker of the Key
West Fire Department addressed
the board requesting small do
nation to assist in entertaining
the visiting firemen at the con-
vention to be held April 20, 21
and %. The request was granted.
Clerk Sawyer reported receipt
of a check for $4,000 represent
ing Monroe county's apportion-
ment of the race track funds for
February.
IA communication from the
Dade County Centennial Commit
tee was read in which the COM
missioners and citizens in gem
eral were asked to attend and it
possible form a motorcade to
take part throughout the event.
Clerk Sawyer was instructed to
write a letter acknowledging re-
ceipt of the invitation.
Officers Reports Read
Tax Collector Frank II. Ladd's
report of deposits for March was
read. The receipts were dis
tributed as follows: General
Revenue. $404,39; Fine and For
CONTINUED on Page Fourl