Florida Keys

The Florida Keys form an arc of low islands and reefs off the southern tip of Florida, between the Gulf of Mexico and the Straits of Florida. Their shallow banks and coral reefs stand beside a major route from Havana into the Atlantic. Warm currents and dangerous shoals made these waters important and difficult for sailing ships.

Spanish fleets gathered at Havana before passing the Keys on their way to Europe. In July 1733 a hurricane caught one such fleet in the straits. Its commander ordered the ships back toward Havana, but the storm scattered and wrecked vessels along the reefs. The loss of the San Pedro and other ships left a vivid record of the dangers faced by the fleets carrying goods across the Atlantic.