The Wreckers

by John Viele

In this third book in a series on the history of the Florida Keys, John Viele tells the true story of the Florida Keys wreckers, the daring seamen who sailed out in fair weather or foul to save lives and property from ships cast up on the unforgiving Florida Reef in the passage south of the Florida Keys, one of the most dangerous in the world, having claimed thousands of ships and lives. In the 1850s, the heyday of the wreckers, ships were piling up on the reef at the rate of nearly one a week. Salvaging these wrecks was a highly competitive and hazardous gamble of the lives, limbs, and vessels of the wreckers against an often elusive gain. From the archives of the federal court at Key West, or “wrecking court," and from contemporary letters, diaries, and newspaper articles, the author has captured the drama of the lives and times of the Florida Keys wreckers with accuracy and clarity. Richly illustrated with drawings from nineteenth-century magazines and newspapers, artists' concepts of wrecking scenes, and reproductions of old paintings and photographs, this book will fascinate sailors and landlubbers alike.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

225 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Wade Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved it ❤️ what wonderful and detailed story telling 😍 and captivating artwork !!! I THOROUGHLY enjoyed this book and highly highly recommend it to anyone with a curiosity and an imagination and appreciation for history !!! The stories of the people that salvaged wrecked ships is truly mind blowing. Their heroic efforts and persistence through unthinkable working conditions say a lot about the type of people that were alive back then.

[Alan Gaul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Based and redpilled - especially liked the photographs of big steamships cracked up on the reefs. Vol 2 was a little weak but this one, vol 3, was an enjoyable read

[Steven Singer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book, well researched.

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This well written book contains a lot of interesting information about the "industry" of salvaging wrecked ships in the Florida Keys, going back to the native people in the 17th or early 18th century. I will be giving this book a second going over. There are sections that I might be able to make us of in the classroom, when studying the Keys or when reading, whole group, Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer Holm.