Wreckers, Lighthouses, and the Reef: Florida’s 19th-Century Maritime Salvage Economy
Navigating the Treacherous Corridors of the Florida Straits In the nineteenth century, the Florida Straits functioned as both a commercial highway and a high-consequence maritime trap. Strong Gulf Stream currents, sudden tropical weather, limited visibility, and submerged coral reefs created a difficult operating environment for vessels moving between Atlantic shipping hubs and the Gulf of… Read More Wreckers, Lighthouses, and the Reef: Florida’s 19th-Century Maritime Salvage Economy














