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.