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.