Here are a couple of North Florida wrecks charted circa 1791

Jolly Mon

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Sep 3, 2012
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Florida wrecks charted 1791.png
 

I have this:

74-7x-US-FL-1: Captain Magness of the vessel Ann & Elizabeth, arrived in the river bound from Jamaica, on August 8, 1774, saw a large brig on shore to the northward of Cape Canaveral, Florida, and several wreckers stripping her.

References for 1774-7x-US-FL-1:

New Lloyd's List, (London, England), #574, September 24, 1774

Shipwrecks of the Western Hemisphere: 1492-1825, by Robert F. Marx, (World Publishing Company, New York, 1971), p. 220, #102


Probably the northenmost one.
 

There are quite a few documented wrecks in that area, so who knows?
Anyway, the map looks rather "cartoonish", but I will bet there is some historical validity to the listed wrecks.
 

There are quite a few documented wrecks in that area, so who knows?
Anyway, the map looks rather "cartoonish", but I will bet there is some historical validity to the listed wrecks.

They all look that way, but I'd guess that they are as accurate as can be expected for the day.
 

I always find these old Florida maps interesting, just to see them.
 

In the interest of scale, here is the entire map:
Rio S. Juan to near Canaveral, 1799.png

The cartographer was named David Taitt. It is interesting, at least to me, that Taitt worked directly with Bernard Romans on a survey of East and West Florida in 1771-1772. One would think they shared some sources. You have to admit, Romans sure knew his shipwrecks ! I wonder if David Taitt did, too ?

Here is a link to an article on David Taitt. He was quite an interesting character in his own right:Encyclopedia of Alabama: David Taitt


I am sure Taitt's shipwreck symbols are merely formulaic, but you cannot help but notice the exaggerated sterncastles...was he trying to tell us something?
Taitt, northern wreck detail.pngNorthern wreck detail
Taitt, southern wreck detail.pngSouthern wreck detail

The cutter under sail has a much less prominent sterncastle:
Taitt, cutter under sail.png
 

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I think I know where the "wrecked here" site is at, I believe it was uncovered during the 2004 hurricane, near 3rd street and high up on the beach. If memory serves me right that wreck was thought to be British by it's construction. Then again with so many wrecks on the east coast might be a different wreck but the location is on target.

The lower wreck is probably the same wreck marked on the Roman's Map. Odd that both maps display the same type "full sail" image in the same location. Also interesting is number of mast on each of the wrecks.

Neat map. I'd like to have a framed copy for the wall.
 

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