Florida Keys' Watercolor Kapers by Bob Kranich

The Brown Pelican, (Part 5, Excerpt 27)

In this new story, a Brown Pelican talks about the history of the Florida Keys and how the Brown Pelican was there when it all happened.

The Brown Pelican

My next tale is a story of the Keys’ wreckers. We pelicans notice, from our place in the protection of the remaining forest, a ship floundering right off our beach. The weather has been very nasty, a great storm. It is beginning to subside now, but not soon enough, for a great sailing ship, a three-masted cargo ship is hung up on the reef.

Somewhere a cry goes up, “Ship on the rocks!” and as if by divine guidance, two small ships, a sloop and a schooner appear. Their crews are a mixture of Bahamian, Cayman Islanders, and Key West Conchs.

These fearless men have come, first, to save souls, and second, to salvage cargo. If the captain of the ship in distress gives permission, these “wreckers,” as they are called, will lend a hand. They look danger straight in the eye! Not fearing for their lives, they will first get the passengers off to a safe place, and then unload the cargo. They will then move it in to the shore or closest safe location.

Next they will attempt to get the ship off the rocks. They have the tools and know-how to do this job. Many times other boats will appear and join in a team effort. When all is completed, the salvaged cargo and ship, if possible, is moved to Key West. There, a salvage court will assess payment for all parties.

Naturally, we pelicans prefer to sit this one out in the safety of our trees.

From the Author:

My second full-length book , Florida Keys’ Watercolor Kapers is composed of 336 pages. There are 12 stories running from 6 pages to as many as 72 pages. It is fully illustrated with 88 watercolors and sketches. The watercolors I made roaming around Key West after I finished my 750 mile hike from Georgia to Key West. (See book or Don Browne’s SouthWest Florida Onlin News records, A Walk Across Florida.) As you read these stories you will experience Key West, the Keys, and the Caribbean. These stories span the time of the early 1800’s to 1969. bkranich.wixsite.com/bobkranich