1888 – An unknown culprit poisoned the drinking water barrel used by the family of Gideon Sawyer of Key West. The entire family was quite ill, and only prompt medical attention spared two members from death. The entire town was upset by the horrible act.
1908 – The Key West Citizen reported, “For the first time in many years, the city had sufficient money on hand to take up the coupons which fall due in June without borrowing a cent. There is also sufficient funds in the treasury to meet the current expenses. The city’s financial condition today is excellent.”
1910 – Mr. J.T. Knowles sailed for Miami on the schooner Etta Thompson to purchase chickens for his farm on Big Pine Key, where he hoped to establish a large-scale poultry business.
1924 – Richard Peacon Jr., 64, died at his home. For 38 years he had operated a grocery store in Key West and the time of his death had the largest store on the island, located on Fleming Street at the corner of William Street.
1942 – The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Thetis sank the German submarine U-157, the only U-Boat sunk near South Florida during WWII. The U-157 was sunk 22 miles south of the Marquesas Islands.
1943 – The United States submarine R-12, while conducting training operations off Key West, flooded and quickly sank. The accident took the lives of 42 officers and men.
1994 – Three Cuban defectors landed at Boca Chica Naval Air Station in a stolen AN-3 crop-duster biplane. The trio immediately surrendered to Navy security personnel and asked for political asylum. The Cuban government was expected to retrieve the airplane.
Information compiled by Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
Image: The R-12 (Submarine No. 89) was launched in 1918. On June 12, 1943, while conducting training off Key West, she flooded and sank in about 15 seconds with 42 officers and men. Photo from U.S. Naval Institute. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.