Mary

Mary. Key West Wreckers Sloop. In the 19th century when shipwrecks along the treacherous Florida reef were numerous, fisherman and spongers turn to wrecking as a means of livelihood. Almost every sea worthy vessel at Key West quickly responded to the exciting cry of “Wreck Ashore “ to earn whatever share they could in the great wealth that the golden age of wrecking brought to the island and city., The sloop Mary is a replica of the wrecking/work boat owned by Charles Tift in 1863. Charles was the brother of Asa F. Tift, early Key West settler whose family came to the island from Connecticut in the 1820’s., Asa Tift and his family soon became successful maritime merchants. They docked their boats on Tift’s Wharf (Mallory Sunset Dock) and built large warehouses and an ice house (The Shell Warehouse) located directly across the street in back of you. An observation tower (to your right) and later a coaling station at the street end., To meet Asa Tift and relive the fascinating story of the wreckers of Key West visit the Shipwreck Treasure Museum located 50 ft to your right., , Mary, , Key West Wrecking/Work Boat, Project Design , Mary Haffenreffer , David Wegman