1852: A Key West correspondent noted that there had been no wrecks on the reef in over two months, and the wrecking fleet – 30 sloops and schooners and over
1856: William Hackley recorded in his diary. Rose at 4 and went to the market then walked to the Salt Ponds, returned home and bathed. At 7:30 a.m. barometer 29.50, thermometer 80.5, wind southeast 3, clouds and haze. Preparing authorities from which to draw exceptions in the case of Ogden et als vs. D. Davis et als. After dinner Charles Johnson and Edgar Coste came up and gave me the facts in the case of the barque Alma. Commenced the libel. After tea went to Philip Fontaneâs.
1860: The USS Mohawk escorted the captured slave ship Wildfire into the harbor. The Wildfire had 510 Africans from the Congo River area of Africa that were being taken to Cuba to be sold in the slave trade. The Wildfire was in violation of American and international law and the U.S. Navy was actively searching for violators.