Today in Keys History – March 23, 2024
1829 – After nearly two weeks of effort, the ship Britannia was towed to Key West from where it had wrecked on Conch Reef. Jacob Housman on the sloop Sarah Isabella, joined by the crews of the wrecking sloop Capital and the schooners Florida and Gen. Geddes, performed the successful salvage.
1831 –The schooner Henry, sailing from Boston to Mobile with the materials for building a lighthouse at Cat Island, Mississippi, ran onto the reef but was quickly assisted by the wrecking sloop Brilliant. The Henry was towed to Key West for repairs and after continued its voyage. The Brilliant captain was awarded a $400 salvage fee.
1833 – After a longstanding dislike of each other, a duel was fought at Key West’s South Beach between deputy collector of customs Daniel Coffin Pinkham and newspaper editor Dr. Benjamin B. Stroebel. Pinkham was killed on the first fire.
1924 – African-American workers digging on Upper Matecumbe Key uncovered several “queer looking” silver and gold Spanish coins. The oldest dated to 1721.
1941 – Ed Ball, general manager of the Alfred I. Dupont estate, purchased 600 acres of land on Upper Matecumbe, Little Torch and Sugarloaf Keys.
1954 – The Key West City Commission voted to accept the 70-foot Riviera Canal from developers Golan, Helberg and Conley. To build the canal cost the developers $2 million.
1986 – A 60-minute feature called “Quest for the Atocha,” produced by the National Geographic Society, aired on PBS stations nationwide. The popular program detailed Key West treasure hunter Mel Fisher’s discovery of the 1622 treasure galleon.
1986 – The last “Blessing of the Shrimp Fleet” took place, with Father Tony Mullane performing the service as shrimp boats passed by Mallory Square. The ceremony had been a 25-year tradition.
Information compiled by Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
Image: Blessing of the Shrimp fleet ca. 1980. Wright Langley Collection. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.