In order to decrease the occurrence of wrecks along the Florida coast, the U.S. government commissioned the construction of many lighthouses to better guide incoming ships. Obviously, the wreckers hated this commission because they expected it to reduce the number of wrecks, thus, decreasing their income. At first, the lighthouses didn’t decrease the number of wrecks. Captains would actually become confused about which lights they were seeing, which would throw off their sailing trajectory. Some wrecks may have even been intentional! Some wrecking crews would find holes drilled into the hulls of the ships!
Picture caption: The beautiful lighthouse in Key West! We sure are glad to have it!
