The Wreckers

Native Americans were the first “wreckers” in the Florida Keys.  When Spanish ships got driven on the reef, Indians would canoe out to scavenge everything that looked useful—including survivors, who could be ransomed or used as slaves.  The natives traded salvaged items and prisoners for supplies.

Many of Spain’s treasure galleons were lost in the dangerous waters of the Florida Keys.  Aware of this hazard, the Spanish made a serious effort to salvage their own ships, and set up encampments, some of which stayed in place for several years.  They built diving bells and imported pearl divers from Brazil; they also trained Keys natives to help. Salvage was urgent—the losses of treasure seriously damaged Spain’s economy and eventually contributed to the decline of her empire.

Bahamian vessels began sailing the Florida Straits to hunt turtles, cut timber, and salvage wrecks as early as the 1730’s.  As time passed, traffic through the Straits of Florida increased and the Bahamian captains found wrecking increasingly profitable.  They transported their plunder to Nassau, where the goods were sold at auction.  Many Bahamians emigrated to Key West to qualify for a U.S. wreckers license.

Following the conclusion of the War of 1812, New England fishermen extended their territory to the Florida coast during the winter months.  After Key West was settled in 1822, many more American vessels came to the Keys to salvage wrecks.  Rivalry with the Bahamians over salvage rights started immediately and, in 1825, the American wreckers succeeded in persuading Congress to pass a law that barred the Bahamians from salvaging in the Keys.

All wreckers had to have other sources of income, as wrecking opportunities were unpredictable.  Many were spongers, fishermen, businessmen, and even clerics.

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