July 6

Chet Alexander with large coral-encrusted anchor recovered in July of 1961.

1863 – Admiral Theodorus Bailey wrote of the success of the Key West-based East Gulf Blockading Squadron in stopping Confederate supply vessels: “Out of 52 vessels which have left Havana since the 1^st of April for the purpose of running the blockade, but 7 have succeeded, and the rest have been brought into this port.”

1882 – Nelson English was named Postmaster of Key West, the first African American to hold that position.

1898 – Corporal Ansburn F. Tower, Company D, 1st DC Infantry, died in the Army Hospital at the Convent from battle wounds suffered in Cuba.

1934 – The Strand Theater on Duval Street was destroyed by fire. The fire was caused by an explosion in the film operating room that killed Jack Perez, the 12-year-old son of Manuel Perez who was working on the projectors.

1961 – Key West marine salvager Chet Alexander recovered a large, coral-encrusted anchor from an old wooden shipwreck found between the Sand Key Lighthouse and the reef. Alexander suspected the vessel was caught in a hurricane when it went down.

1962 – The Genuine Parts Co. of Georgia filed a lawsuit against patrol torpedo boat 109 for $2,250, the cost of disputed equipment. The vessel was one of three being used by Warner Brothers Studios to film “PT 109” in the Florida Keys, which detailed the WWII story of John F. Kennedy.

2000 – The Oak Beach Inn at 227 Duval Street in Key West opened as an oxygen bar, where patrons could partake of 99.9% pure oxygen filtered through colored and flavored water at a rate of five minutes for $5 (plus $1 for a reusable, plastic nasal cannula).

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

Image: Chet Alexander with large coral-encrusted anchor recovered in July of 1961. Photo by Don Pinder. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.