Year: 1871

U Many of the Florida wreckers are na- tives of Connecticut. The town of Mystic seems to supply large propor- tion. The Bahamas have supplied some of the wreckers of this coast. They are called conks, and are not so reliable, enterprising 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 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 it often happens that several vessels are owned by one company they take stations so as to cover the wrecking ground to good advantage. From Cape Florida to Key West is about two hun dred and fifty miles on this ground, which is fatal one for shipping, the wrecking vessels are stationed within sight of each other, and signals are pass ed on the discovery of a 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 go ashore. There is such harvest of wrecks, in fact, after a 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 ognised rendezvous of the wreckers. 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. A vast amount of wealth was carried by even one ship, and if the vessel became hope lessly stranded rich harvest was en- joy ed by the wreckers. This harvest, let us show plainly, is a purely legitimate matter of business The wreckers fit out and man their vessels or they are fitted by companies, and are legally al lowed by license to pursue the calling. As we have shown, they station their crafts on certain ground, and thereby act as watchful sentinels. Should life be in danger when wreck is discovered, and sAould the vessel happen to go ashore in heavy storm, it is fortunate for the sailor or traveller that these vigilant, fearless watchers are at hand. When life is saved, then 8 goodly num- Der of stout men are ready to bargain for the restoration of the ship and cargo This may be done by 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 vesse has its share, the captain or chief wreck CT his, and the crew their portion. IT. 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 insurmountable barriers proven an escape inland.

 These wreckers of Florida, far iron being landsharks and pirates, as many have imagined them, are known, as { class, to be humane, kindly and honest I have known some of them personally and having regarded them only as noble and upright men,-Eschange.