April 26

The USS Sturtevant (DD-240) underway, circa 1930s.

1835 – Fielding A. Browne was elected mayor of Key West. Wm. R. Hackley, Alden A.M. Jackson, P.P. Fellows and Dr. D. Platts were elected city councilmen. The total number of votes cast was 39.

1922 – Navy aircraft located the missing Aeromarine seaplane Santa Maria near Andros Island, Bahamas, in good condition with all onboard alive and well. The plane was enroute from Key West to Nassau when it ran out of fuel. Because Santa Maria had no wireless equipment, its crew could not communicate their plight.

1942 – The USS Sturtevant (DD 240) strayed into the U.S. Navy’s anti-submarine minefield while leaving Key West via the Northwest Channel and was sunk with a loss of 17 men.

1946 – Though the city of Key West was to soon go on daylight saving time, local bus and airline services would remain on Eastern Standard Time. The carriers’ reluctance to change to the new “fast time” was because their schedules had been published in advance, and they feared sowing confusion.

1956 – A disabled Navy helicopter was about to ditch into the water off Key West when the captain of the submarine USS Corporal heard the pilot’s distress call and rushed his vessel to the area. With a lot of skill and a bit of luck, the helicopter landed on the narrow hull with only inches to spare: “We’re on your deck and damn happy to be here,” radioed the pilot to the sub crew.

1974 – Markers were installed designating the highway from Key West to Florida City the Harry S. Truman Overseas Highway.

1982 – The Monroe County Commission passed, by unanimous vote, a resolution calling for an immediate end the U.S. Border Patrol’s roadblock at Florida City.

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Information compiled by Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.

Image: The USS Sturtevant (DD-240) underway, circa 1930s. Photo from the U.S. Naval Institute. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.