SHIPWRECKS OF DOG ISLAND
Shipwrecks are all around the peninsula of Florida. There are more than 500 wrecks recorded between Key West and the Dry Tortugas, but there are no less than 118 lost vessels in the waters surrounding Dog Island.
Located off the port of Carrabelle, the land of Dog Island, like all other barrier islands, is constantly shifing and eroding because of winds, waves and tides. The Island is about 6 1/2 miles long and, at most, 3/4 of a mile wide. It contains 1842 acres owned by the Nature Conservancy and the Dog Island Conservation District. It can only be reached by water craft or airplane. There is a ferry operating from Carrabelle. There are no phones, restaurants or stores. No facilities, or picnic tables either. The island has existed for about 6000 years, but it seems Indians did not live on the island. They used it for day trips. The island appears on a 1690 French map, It remained uninhabited until 1839 when a lighthouse was built on the west end. It was later destroyed by storms and erosions, and its site now lies under Gulf waters. During the 1800's sailing ships anchored in Ballast Cove to unload ballast rock and in Shipping Cove where cargoes of lumber and other supplies were delivered from Carrabelle. Confederate arms have been discovered near Cannon Ball Creekk.
The waters around the island are notable for their shallow depths and the islands ever-changing geography. Storms, tide and wind constantly reshape its beaches, dunes, marshes and hardwood flats. As a result, during early shipping times, ships would run aground or be driven onto unseen sand bars by storms, such as the hurricane of 1899 which caused the largest recorded shipwrecking in North Floridas history.. The unexcavated wrecks have yet to reveal treasures. Underwater archeologists are mapping the location of each ship, and exploring the wrecks to try to learn their secrets.
Some of the older wrecks include the French merchant vessel, LeTigre, which wrecked here in 1766 on its way to New Orleans from Haiti. It is only the second French shipwreck to have been discovered in America, and the only one dating to the 18th century. In 1799 the British warship HMS Fox ran agound and broke up near the eastern tip of St. George Island. Since it lies in shark infested waters, no one knows what treasures it carried.
It is supposed that many seafarers passed this way and used the island for fishing and fresh water, or to ride out bad weather. It is assumed that Dog Island played host to the illicit trading and raiding of pirates and smugglers. The treasure lying off Dog Island is that of history, including triumph of nations, and tragedy.
Further information on shipwrecks off the coast of north Florida can be found under the heading of Scuba.
