Shipwrecks of the Florida Keys - April 28th

Today in 1848, the brigantine Petrus wrecked on Sombrero Reef. The money on board was saved by the crew, but there appears to have been no other salvage.

Shipwrecks of the Florida Keys - April 25th

Today in 1855, the brig Eliza W. Dalton struck Bird Key. The brig began leaking and went to Long Cay where the cargo of logwood and coffee was unloaded. The vessel was condemned. In 1923, the schooner Carrie S. Allen was burned at Key West.

Shipwrecks of the Florida Keys - April 23rd

Today in 1874 the ship Mary E. Riggs was stranded on French Reef. The ship was carrying cotton from New Orleans to Bremen. Though the vessel was lost, the wreckers were awarded $44,371 for their salvage work.

Shipwrecks of the Florida Keys - April 22nd

Today in 1855 a derelict brig was found 13 miles south of Sand Key, deserted. The wreckers still made money off of the wreck, receiving $389.

Shipwrecks of the Florida Keys- April 20th

Today we have had a few wrecks here in the Florida Keys. One was in 1812. The American ship Gipsey was bound for Boston from Havana when it was lost in the Gulf of Florida. The crew was saved. The next shipwreck was in 1847. The bark Yucatan was carrying cotton, lard, pork, flour and other cargo from New Orleans to Liverpool. The bark wrecked on French Reef. Even though the vessel was lost, the wreckers were awarded $17,521. A third wreck happened today in 1874. The British ship Mississippi was en route from Liverpool to New Orleans. The ship was carrying general cargo and wrecked on Brewsters Reef. Three quarters of the cargo was saved, awarding the wreckers $9,114.

Shipwrecks of the Florida Keys - April 19th

Today in 1893 the schooner Benjamin Hale was making its way from Boston to Texas with a cargo of barbed wire when it was stranded on Bird Key Shoals in the Dry Tortugas. It was a total loss.

Shipwrecks of the Florida Keys - April 18th

Quite a few shipwrecks happened on this day in history. The earliest happened in 1638 when the British ship Kinsdale wrecked in a storm on a sand bar near Cape Florida. The next shipwreck happened two-hundred and sixteen years later, in 1854. The ship Saxony was lost fifty miles north of Cape Florida with a cargo of white pine. Thirty-nine years later, in 1893, the British brig Arcadia was also carrying lumber as its cargo. The brig was on its way from Apalachicola to Cuba when it was stranded on North Flats in the Dry Tortugas. Some of the cargo was saved. Two years after that, the Norwegian bark Ingrid was bound for Rio from Pensacola carrying lumber as well. The bark was stranded on Fowey Rocks, north of the lighthouse there. The vessel was lost and out of the one-million feet of lumber she carried, 200,000 was salvaged soon after the wreck. The wreck was sold for $1 after that and the salvor was able to remove 75% of the remaning 800,000 feet of lumber. The next wreck is more recent, happening in the 20th Century. In 1943 the open lighter YC 891 sank off of Key West.

Shipwrecks of the Florida Keys - April 16th

Today in 1865 the bark Annie Baldwin was en route to Liverpool from the Florida Keys when it wrecked on Conch Reef. The bark was carrying guano. Though the vessel was lost, the wreckers were awarded $734.

Shipwrecks of the Florida Keys - April 15th

The RMS Titanic wasn't the only shipwreck that happened today. Thirty-five years before the RMS Titanic went down, in 1877, the brig Memphis was stranded on Conch Reef. The brig was carrying a cargo of sugar, which was saved.

USS Fort McHenry Is In Port

For three days Key West will once again host the crew of a Navy vessel. The USS Fort McHenry is in port for three days of liberty before it is deployed to the Baltic Sea. The USS Fort McHenry, an amphibious landing craft, is 100 feet longer than the last Navy vessel to visit Key West, the USS Spruance, which was commissioned here in October. To get a good view of the ship, stop by the museum and climb the lookout tower.

Shipwrecks of the Florida Keys - April 13th

This year April the 13th falls on a Friday. In 1895 though, Saturday the 13th was an unlucky day. Two ships wrecked that day here in the Florida Keys. One was the schooner R. Bowers which was stranded on Southwest Reef in the Dry Tortugas. The schooner was carrying a cargo of yellow pine from Apalachicola to Boston. It is unknown if it was salvaged. The other vessel was the British ship Walter D. Walleth which also carried lumber, though the ship was en route from Mobile to Belfast. The ship was stranded off of Loggerhead Light, in the Dry Tortugas. The ship and cargo were valued at $22,000.

April 12th - The Civil War Begins and FDR Dies!

Today in 1861 the Civil War began. Key West, though located in a state that joined the Confederacy, remained a Union city the entire Civil War. Locals who supported the Confederates had to go North to join the South, and some did, including wrecking merchant Asa Tift. He, along with his brother Nelson, worked on designing and building an ironclad warship for the Confederacy.

Also on this day, but eighty-four years later in 1945, Harry S. Truman became President of the United States of America when his predecessor, Franklin Deleno Roosevelt, died. Both Presidents have visited Key West and they stayed at what is now known as the Harry S. Truman Little White House. President Truman spent the most time at the Little White House of any President, there have been seven total.

Shipwrecks of the Florida Keys - April 11th

Today's shipwreck happened in 1831. The brig William Tell was grounded on Bird Key in the Dry Tortugas. The William Tell was making its way from New York to New Orleans carrying dry goods, cutlery, and other cargo. Some of the cargo was saved.

Shipwrecks of the Florida Keys - April 10th

Today in 1928 the dredge Massachusetts foundered near Fowey Rock Light.

Shipwrecks of the Florida Keys - April 9th

On the night of April 9th, 1942, during WWII, the Norwegian freighter Benwood was struck by five shells while heading to port, leaking and running her pumps, after she had been rammed in the stern by another vessel, the Robert C. Tuttle. The shells sank her, and she currently rests inside John Pennekamp State Park, near Key Largo.

Shipwrecks of the Florida Keys - April 8th

Today in 1854 the ship Saxony ran ashore north of the Florida Keys at Hillsboro Inlet. The ship reported having water in her hold. The crew was able to make it to Key West and arrived on April 26th. Just over half, about 55 percent, of the cargo was saved. It was valued at $1,952 and the wreckers received $921. In 1959 the oil vessel Chimaera collided with a floating object about twelve miles from Fowey Rocks Light.

Shipwrecks of the Florida Keys - April 7th

Today in 1848 the ship Taglioni wrecked on Carysfort Reef, just three miles away from the lightship. The ship was en route for New Orleans from Havre and carried 28 passengers as well as an assorted cargo. Some of the cargo was saved and the wreckers received $4,798. The vessel and cargo had been valued at $60,000.

Shipwrecks of the Florida Keys - April 6th

Today in 1865, the brig Atlantic wrecked on East Key in the Dry Tortugas. The brig was carrying coal and the materials of the ship Conqueror. The vessel was lost, but wreckers were rewarded $850.

Shipwrecks of the Florida Keys - April 5th

Today in 1854 the schooner Pauline wrecked on Pickles Reef with sugar and molasses aboard. Though it was a total loss, the crew was saved.

Shipwrecks of the Florida Keys - April 4th

Today in 1877 the American brigantine Memphis ran ashore on Parkland Shoal near Alligator Light with a cargo of sugar aboard. The brigantine was gotten off of the shoal the next day.

Shipwrecks of the Florida Keys - April 3rd

Today in 1837, a schooner was found capsized in the Gulf Stream near Cape Florida. Though the vessel was lost, the wreckers were awarded $1,705. Four years later, in 1841, the ship Manchester was lost on the Florida Reef. For their efforts, the wreckers were awarded $575. Nearly one-hundred years after that, in 1945, the submarine S-16 was sunk as a target off of Key West.

Europeans Find Florida!

Today is the 499th anniversary of the day Ponce de Leon discovered Florida. He would later go on to discover the Florida Keys, naming them "Los Martires" - The Martyrs. After stopping in Key West and naming it "Cayo Hueso" - or Bone Island - because of all of the bones that littered the island, Ponce de Leon would finish exploring the Florida Keys by placing the Dry Tortugas on the map as "Los Tortugas" - The Turtles - because of all the turtles that were to be caught there.

Shipwrecks of the Florida Keys - April 2nd

One of the earlier shipwrecks to have happened on this date was in 1632. The Almiranta de Honduras and a frigate wrecked near Miami. The frigate had a cargo of cocoa and the ships were on their way from Havana to Spain. Exactly two-hundred years later, in 1832, the schooner William & Frederick was on its way to Key West from Apalachicola when it was lost at Sanibel Key. Three years prior to that, in 1829, the Spanish brig Correrro was bound for Spain when it wrecked on Carysfort Reef. The crew and treasure were saved. More recently, just 99 years ago in 1913, the four-masted schooner Clifford N. Carver was stranded on Tennessee Reef.

Shipwrecks of the Florida Keys - April 1st

Today in 1921 the four-masted schooner Lewis H. Goward burned near Key West.

Shipwrecks of the Florida Keys - March 31st

Today in 1883 the British schooner Dolcouth was stranded North Key Spit in the Tortugas. The schooner was en route from New Orleans to Antwerp with a cargo of cotton and grain.

On This Day in Key West - March 30th

Today Florida became a US territory. On this date in 1822, the United States merged East and West Florida to become the Territory of Florida. The first territorial govenor was William Pope Duval. Duval Street here in Key West is named after him. Earlier in the year, on January 19, 1822, Key West had been purchased from Juan Pablo Salas, a Spaniard, by John Simonton, an American.

Shipwrecks of the Florida Keys - March 30th

Ninety-nine years ago today, in 1913, the schooner Samuel T. Beacham collided with the British steamer Teodoro De Larrinaga in the Straits of Florida.

Shipwrecks of the Florida Keys - March 28th

Today in 1866, the steamer Tonawanda, formerly the USS Arkansas, is stranded on Grecian Shoals. The steamer was on its way from Boston to Havana. Even though the vessel was lost, the wreckers were awarded $5,166.

Happy Birthday 200th Birthday Mr. Tift!

Today in 1812 Mr. Asa Forsythe Tift was born. As you folks may know, Mr. Tift is the propreiter of the warehouse here at the Key West Shipwreck Treasures Museum. Stop by today and wish him a Happy Birthday.

Shipwrecks of the Florida Keys - March 27th

Today in 1836, the ship James wrecked in a storm 50 miles northwest of Cape Florida. The ship was en route from Mobile to England with 1,081 bales of cotton as cargo. 519 bales were saved and brought to Key West. Also happening today, but in 1859, the schooner Tortugas informed the wreckers about the ship Mulhouse, which had wrecked the previous day. The passengers, coins, and 1,200 bales of cotton were saved and the wreckers were awarded $27,849. In 1877 on this date, the schooner Veto ran aground on Conch Reef. The next day the schooner had managed to get free of the reef.

Shipwrecks of the Florida Keys - March 26th

Today their were two shipwrecks. One was in 1859. The ship Mulhouse was en route from New Orleans to Havre when it went aground on the quicksands near the Tortugas. The ship was carrying 2,700 bales of cotton and $25,000 in coins. The other shipwreck happened in 1863. The schooner Adelayda wrecked on Elbow Reef. The schooner was headed for Mantanzas from New York with a cargo of dry goods. The vessel was lost, but the wreckers were awarded $7,713.

Shipwrecks of the Florida Keys - March 25th

Today in 1926 the steamer Island Belle was stranded at Key West.

Shipwrecks of the Florida Keys - March 24th

Today is a busy day for shipwreck history here in the Florida Keys. The earliest shipwreck happened today in 1618. A Spanish ship was carrying hides and indigo from Campeche when it wrecked here in the Florida Keys. The crew made it to St. Augustine. The next shipwreck that was reported to have happened on this date was in 1831. The schooner Waverly was en route from New Iberia to New York with a cargo of sugar. The schooner wrecked near the Cape Florida Light and the cargo was saved. Reported on March 24, 1857, an unknown vessel went ashore on Sand Key. It was reported by the brig Princess Royal. The crew were taken to the Turks Islands. Today in 1858 the crew of Dutch ship Admiral Saultzemann were rescued by the steamer Daniel Webster. The ship had been lost off of Hillsboro Inlet eight days earlier. The crew were taken to Havana and the cargo was brought to Key West to be sold by the wreckers. Today at the beginning of the 20th century, in 1909, the sidewheel steamer Wanderer foundered at Money Key. Also today, but in 1944, an unknown wreck was destroyed. The wreck had been charted in 1943 nearly seven miles from American Shoal Light.

Shipwrecks of the Florida Keys - March 23rd

Today in 1841, the brigantine Claudine was lost on Florida Reef.

Shipwrecks of the Florida Keys - March 22nd

Today in 1831 the ship Amulet was wrecked on Pickles Reef. The ship was on its way from Boston for New Orleans. Though the ship was lost, some its cargo, which consisted in part of furniture, dry goods, shoes, and fish, was saved. Also today, though in 1913, it was reported that the Dutch schooner Venture had been abandoned during a March storm, probably in the Upper Keys. The crew had been rescued by the British steamer Reliance.

Shipwrecks of the Florida Keys - March 21st

On this date there were two shipwrecks in the Florida Keys. The first one was today in 1862. The bark Director was wrecked on Carysfort Reef while on its way Jamaica to London. The cargo aboard consisted of sugar, ginger, beeswax, and honey. Though the vessel was lost, the wreckers received $3,128 as their award. The second shipwreck happened in 1909. The four-masted schooner Joseph B. Thomas was stranded on Fowey Rocks and was bilged. The schooner was carrying 2,500 tons of gravel to be used for the Key West Extension of the Florida East Coast Railway. The Oversea Railroad was completed 100 years ago and on January 22, 1912 the first train arrived in Key West.

Shipwrecks of the Florida Keys - March 20th

Today in 1870 the bark Star wrecked at Conch Key.  The bark was carrying a cargo of sugar. It is listed to have gone aground on Conch Reef as well. The vessel was lost.

Shipwrecks of the Florida Keys - March 18th

Today in 1867, the brigantine Scandinavia wrecked on Conch Reef, southeast of Plantation Key. The Scandinavia was carrying a cargo of timber while en route from Pensacola to Queenstown. Even though the vessel was lost, the wreckers received an award of $1,281.

Shipwrecks of the Florida Keys - March 17th

Today in 1853, the brigantine Cimbrus wrecked on Western Dry Rocks. The Cimbrus was carrying a locomotive engine as well as other assorted cargo while it made its way from Philadelphia to New Orleans. Thirteen years later, in 1866, the steamer Rebecca Barton foundered off of Key West. It had been built just two years before. Ninety-nine years ago today, in 1913, the four-masted schooner Pendleton Brothers was stranded on the Tortugas.


Pendleton Brothers



Shipwrecks of the Florida Keys - March 16th

March 16th was a popular day for shipwrecks here in the Florida Keys. There have been three wrecks over the years along the Florida Reef. The first happened in 1848. The ship Brewster wrecked on Fowey Rocks. The ship was on its way from New Orleans to Boston carrying cotton, hemp, lard, and sugar. For their services, the wreckers were awarded $4,098. The next shipwreck was ten years later in 1858. The Dutch ship Admiral Saultzemann was lost off Hillsboro Inlet at the northernmost part of the Florida Reef. The ship was bound for Havana from Holland. Thirteen years later, in 1871, the brig Aquillo was wrecked at French Reef. The Aquillo was carrying a cargo of sugar and was sailing from Havana. Though the vessel was lost, the wreckers received an award of $4,197. Also wrecking on French Reef, but doing so sixteen years later in 1887, was the ship Slabdova. The ship was coming from New Orleans and carried a cargo of cotton. Once again the vessel was lost, but the reward issued to the wreckers was $52,882.

Shipwrecks of the Florida Keys - March 15th

Today there were two shipwrecks in the Florida Keys. One was in 1845. The brig Hayne was bound from Charleston for Havana. The Hayne wrecked five miles south-southeast of Cape Florida with a cargo of rice. The wreckers were awarded $1,000 even though the vessle was lost. Thirty-one years later, in 1876, the ship Athenais was on the Quicksands.

Shipwrecks of the Florida Keys - March 14th

Today in 1872 the Norwegian bark Amazon was lost on Dry Rocks. The Amazon carried a cargo of cotton, which was saved. For their efforts the wreckers were awarded $10,673.

Shipwrecks of the Florida Keys - March 13th

Today in 1993 at approximately 9:00 PM, the steel-hulled freighter Miss Beholden ran aground on the reef five miles from Key West. The freighter tried, unsuccessfully, to free herself from the reef. You can learn more about the wreck of the Miss Beholden at the Key West Shipwreck Treasures Museum.

Shipwrecks of the Florida Keys - March 12th

Today in 1856, the same year the Isaac Allerton sank, the ship Mariner was wrecked on French Reef, almost seven miles from Key Largo. The ship was en route from Liverpool, England to New Orleans with a cargo of salt aboard.

Shipwrecks of the Florida Keys - March 11th

Today in 1866, the bark Isabel wrecked on Triumph Reef near Biscayne Bay with a cargo of rum, sugar, ginger, hides, and other goods aboard. The vessel was lost, but the wreckers received an award of $7,561. Twenty-six years later, in 1892, the brig Shannon bound for Mantanzas from Mobile was stranded on Polaski Shoal in the Dry Tortugas.The Shannon was a total loss and the wreckers were only awarded $199.

Shipwrecks of the Florida Keys - March 10th



Key West 1838

 Today in 1838, the brigantine Hebrus wrecked on Pickles Reef. The Hebrus was bound for the Isle of Guernsey from Havana, Cuba with a cargo of coffee and sugar. The vessel was lost, but, for their services, the wreckers were awarded $1,404.

The Flagship of Key West

Thanks to the the Florida State Legislature, the Schooner Western Union is now just one step away from being not only the Flaghip of Key West, but also the Flagship of the State of Florida. Wednesday, March 7, 2012, the Florida House of Representatives passed SB 326 unanimously (115-0). The Florida Senate has already passed the bill, and now all that is left is for Florida Govenor Rick Scott to sign the bill into law. Those of you who care to read the bill, can find it here: http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2012/0395/Analyses/H8TPkAPipqgEzRyk1jNJm4r6C5g=%7C11/Public/Bills/0300-0399/0395/Analysis/h0395c.SAC.PDF

The Schooner Western Union was built here in Key West. It was the last tall ship built on the island and was launched on April 7, 1939. The 130 ft. schooner was constructed of mahogany and yellow pine and is an example of a traditional American coasting schooner. The schooner's name comes from the Western Union Telegraph Company. For 35 years the Schooner Western Union served as a cable tender for the company, repairing and maintaining undersea telegraph cable from Key West to Cuba, and throughout the Caribbean. Today locals and visitors alike can enjoy sunset sails each evening on the Flagship of Key West, soon to be the Flagship of the State of Florida.

Shipwrecks of the Florida Keys - March 9th

Today in 1853, the schooner E.G. Willard wrecked at Long Key while en route from New Orleans to Charleston. The schooner was carrying bacon, pork, hams, beef, lard and other cargo. The vessel was lost, but for their services, the wreckers were awarded $5,530. Also today, but sixty years later in 1913, the British steamer Lugano wrecked on Long Reef in a storm. The steamer was bound for Havana with a cargo of silks, wine, and other high-grade items. The tug Rescue saved 116 passengers and crew. More than 75 vessels worked the wreck for over a month and most of the cargo was saved. That same day the British steamer Howth Head also ran aground on Long Reef, but was freed.

Shipwrecks of the Florida Keys - March 3rd

Back in 1841, exactly four years before Florida became a state, the bark Claudine wrecked on the Florida Reef. The vessel was lost, but the wreckers were awarded $351.

Shipwrecks of the Florida Keys - March 2nd

Today in 1859 the ship Nathan Hannau is lost on Brewster Reef while en route from Boston to New Orleans. The ship was carrying ice, furniture, and shoes. Some of the furniture, boots, and shoes were saved and the wreckers were awarded $1,801. Twenty-two years later, the bark Folomer wrecked on the Southwest Reef in the Dry Tortugas. The Folomer was carrying a cargo of cotton and, though the vessel was lost, the wreckers were awarded $6,384.

Florida History

On this date in 1845, the territory of Florida was admitted to the Union by an act of congress and became a state.

Shipwrecks of the Florida Keys - February 28th

In 1876 the British bark Deodueus went ashore on Molasses Reef. The Deodueus had accidently mistaken the unmanned reef light on Molasses Reef for the manned Carysfort Reef Light, which is further up the keys. The bark went ashore at 1:30 AM. The current Carysfort Reef Light was lit in 1852 and was the third screw-pile lighthouse ever built in the United States. The construction of the light was overseen by Lt. George Meade. Lt. George Meade also oversaw the construction of the current Sand Key Light, which is the closest reef light to Key West. Later on in his career, Lt. George Meade was promoted and, as Gen. George Meade, he fought Gen. Robert E. Lee at Gettysburg.

Shipwrecks of the Florida Keys - February 27th

Today in 1765 the British ship Grenville Packet was on its way from Falmouth with mail bound for Pensacola when it ran aground in the Dry Tortugas. The ship was lost, but the crew was saved. Also, in 1836, the newspaper reported that the bark Grecian ran ashore on Carysfort Reef, the schooner Olive Branch was lost off Cape Florida, and the schooner Theophilus wrecked on Alligator Reef.

Shipwrecks of the Florida Keys - February 25th

Today in 1851 the brigantine Mars was lost on Dry Rocks, east of Key Largo. On board was a cargo of molasses.

Shipwrecks of the Florida Keys - February 23rd

Today in 1873 the ship Nor'wester was lost at Key West. The ship carried a cargo of cotton.

Shipwrecks of the Florida Keys - February 22nd

Today, 150 years ago in 1862, the barge Ben Cushing was lost on French Reef. The barge was carrying a cargo of molasses and cigars. Three years later, in 1865, the ship Margaret Kerr was lost on Crokers Reef. The ship had a cargo of sugar aboard.

Shipwrecks of the Florida Keys - February 20th

Today in 1896 the steamer Shelter Island was making its way from Miami to Key West with more than 200 citizens of Key West and many more from Jacksonville. It was on its first run for the Florida East Coast Steamship Co. after being chartered from the Montauk Steamboat Co. As it turns out, it was also the steamer's last run. She struck some rocks two hours into the trip. After getting free, the Shelter Island continued to Key West with her pumps on. Eventually the pumps failed and water rose high enough to extinguish the fires. She settled on the bottom 19 miles from Key West. There were no casualities and most of the cargo was saved. The vessel, however, was a complete loss.

Shipwrecks of the Florida Keys - February 19th

Today in 1875 the ship Evandale is lost on French Reef. French Reef is located almost seven miles southeast of Key Largo. The ship was carrying a cargo of lumber.

Shipwrecks of the Florida Keys - February 18th

Today we have two shipwrecks that, combined, brought in awards totaling $7,719. The first shipwreck that happened today was in 1839. The brigantine Tennfaute wrecked off of Boca Raton, 70 miles north of Cape Florida. The Tennfaute was carrying a cargo of cotton and cigars. Though the vessel was lost, the wreckers received $5,015 as the award for their services. The other shipwreck for today occured in 1860. The brigantine Tiger was carrying molasses from New Orleans to Baltimore. The Tiger wrecked on Eastern Sandbores and the vessel was lost. The wreckers, however, were awarded $2,704.

Shipwrecks of the Florida Keys - February 17th

Today has been a busy day for shipwrecks in the Florida Keys. We have three ships that ran aground along the Florida Reef today, two of which happened just a year apart from one another. The first shipwreck for today happened in 1877. The Swedish bark Suerige was stranded on Pickles Reef while it was traveling to Liverpool, England from Pensacola, Florida and carried a cargo of sawed timber. The next shipwreck was a year later, in 1878. The British steamer Arratoon Apcar was stranded on Fowey Rocks while it was en route from Liverpool, England to Havana, Cuba. It was carying a cargo of coal and iron. The most recent shipwreck was in 1907. The schooner Irene was stranded on Hospital Key in the Dry Tortugas. The schooner had actually been built here in Key West in 1885.