GLENN WALTON / Special to the Eagle

Geoff Fahringer examines an ointment jar from the unidentified paddle wheel wreck while Bert Robbins explains the markings on the jar. Looking on is Bert's wife Joan Robbins. The Robbins collect antique medicine bottles.

GLENN WALTON / Special to the Eagle

Betsy Perdichizzi and Dorothy Helland look over items from the unidentified paddle wheel wreck before Geoff Fahringer's talk on the wreck.

GLENN WALTON / Special to the Eagle

Geoff Fahringer gave his perspective on an unidentified paddle wheel wreck 30 miles west of Marco Island. The event was presented by the Marco Island Historical Society.

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History buffs were treated to a presentation by Geoff Fahringer Tuesday night at Mackle Park. The presentation was titled: “A Diver’s Perspective of Marco History; Paddle Wheel History and Artifacts.” The Marco Island Historical Society sponsored the event.

Attendees were treated to Fahringer’s description of an unidentified paddle wheel that sank approximately 30 miles west of Marco Island. The wreck lies in 80 feet of water. Fahringer said he would like to see the wreck site protected.

“The wreck site is beneficial to animals and plant life.”

Fahringer presentation included photos and a video that showed the abundant plant and animal life present on and around the wreck site. As an avid diver Fahringer said, “The beauty of wrecks are the animal and plant life.”

The wreck has broken into two sections, he said. The stern section consists of the paddle wheel assembly, engine and pitman arms. The forward section consists of two tube boilers approximately 4 feet in diameter and 30 feet in length surrounded by a large debris field of fire or kiln bricks. At first the bricks were thought to be cargo on the ship. However, later it was determined that the bricks were probably used to insulate the boilers.

The wreck was discovered in the early to mid 1990s by fishermen when their nets became entangled in the wreckage. Divers started to dive the wreck. At first it was thought the ship was carrying supplies to Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas. However, after numerous dives and historical research Fahringer believes that the paddle wheel may have been a work ship heading to the Florida Keys to help construct the Florida East Coast Railroad (FEC).

In 1905 Henry Morrison Flagler announced that he wanted to extend the FEC, 128 miles from Biscayne Bay to Key West. Most of this new track would be built over the ocean. For this reason a great number of ships and men were required.

At one time, more than 4,000 men were employed on the construction of the railroad. E.F. Rue transportation chief for the railroad began acquiring ships and boats. Some of these boats came from as far away as the Mississippi River. These boats were not designed for the ocean. They were designed for river navigation. They had very little freeboard and in heavy weather were prone to taking on water over the side. During the seven year construction of the 128 miles of railroad five hurricanes threatened to halt the construction. It is not unrealistic to believe that the unidentified paddle wheel could have been lost in one of these storms.

Artifacts discovered on the dive site helped to narrow down the date of the wreck. There are electrical light fixtures and pressure gauges that were manufactured in the late 19th century. The date 1898 has been noted on several items. Also the bricks that were used around the boilers were manufactured in many well known brick yards in St. Louis Missouri. One company the Christy Brick Company stopped producing Christy bricks in 1906.

Fahringer believes the paddle wheel sank approximately in 1906. This date was backed up by Burt Robbins. Robbins was looking over the artifacts that Fahringer had displayed from the wreck site. An ointment bottle caught Robbins’ attention since he collects antique medicine bottles. After examining the milk glass ointment bottle with a magnifying glass Robbins determined that the ointment bottle was manufactured approximately in 1905.

Fahringer said he would like to determine the name of the ship and once the ship is identified a bronze plaque can be placed on the wreck to memorialize the people who lost their lives.

Fahringer said, “Men stood on this boat and conducted commerce and here it is.”