The Wreckers - Key West, FL
Posted by: 
neoc1
N 24° 33.577 W 081° 48.416
17R E 418283 N 2716425
The sculpture "The Wreckers" is the centerpiece of Key West Memorial Sculpture Garden near Mallory Square in Key West, FL.
Waymark Code: WMNWT9
Location: Florida, United States
Date Posted: 05/14/2015
Views: 14
Many ships have foundered on the reefs around Key West. Wreckers that did the dangerous work of search, rescue, and salvage made the Key West area their home and were important in the formation of the present city. In honor of these pioneers, sculptor James Mastin created this monumental sculpture.
Two life-size wreckers are depicted working to salvage a ship. One wrecker is standing next to a broken mast with a child hanging on around his neck. A second wrecker is kneeling while salvaging a barrel. A bronze plaque on the rectangular base is inscribed:
THE WRECKERS
SEPT. 26, 1997 ©
BY MIAMI SCULPTOR
JAMES MASTIN
A second plaque provided background information about "The Wreckers."
"The Wreckers"
This magnificent sculpture "The Wreckers" at 18 feet long and 25 feet high captures the spirit of Key West as a bold, boisterous and bustling town on the frontier of a young America. The early wreckers are depicted engaging in their work of saving lives and cargo from a vessel come to ultimate peril on our reefs. Wrecking was the island's first economy and the reason for her early existence. In fact, Key West became the richest city per capita in the U.S. during the mid 1800's due to the salvaging fees received by the wrecking captains and crews; and ultimately the businessmen, lawyers, clerks, packers, dock hands and insurance agents ashore. The monument was created at the hands of master award winning sculptor James Mastin of Miami, Florida
This sculpture was made possible in large part by a grant from the Ocean Key House Suite Resort & Marina and the donations from the people of Key West.
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