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On an elevation of Seahorse Key which overlooks the approach channel to the Cedar Keys, stand three small rounded tombstones like lonely sententials. Each stone bears only a name and a reference to the U.S. Navy. Who are these three men, how did they die, and how did they come to rest in this lonely place?
Seahorse Key has long been associated with the military. During the 2nd Seminole War, the island was the site of Cantonment Morgan, a U.S. Military hospital and internment camp for Indians being shipped west. The military site went abandoned in December 1842 and the island was left to the birds.
By Executive Order of the President on 2 September 1851, Seahorse Key, consisting of 109 acres, was reserved for lighthouse purposes. The Federal government declared all private claims to the island invalid and warned the
public not to trespass on the island. The first light keeper, William Wilson, took possession of the structure on 20 July 1854 and the light was first exhibited on 01 August 1854.
When the Civil War erupted in 1861,President Abraham Lincoln ordered ships to the Gulf Coast to seize the vessels and cargoes of the blockade runners and halt salt making activities. Seahorse Key and Depot Key (Atsena Otie) became stopping off points between St. Marks and Key West when the Yankee Navy took over in 1862. The light was extinguished at that time but relighted on 23 August 1866.
The three young men who enlisted and went off to war could not have imagined they would come to rest close to this lighthouse on an island so far from their homes and families.
The first of the three seaman to be buried on Seahorse Key was Ordinary Seaman Patrick Doran. Born in Bushwick, NY, Doran first enlisted in the Navy at Philadelphia, PA on 20 November 1861. He served aboard the USS St. Louis, USS Princeton, USS Keystone State, USS North Carolina, and USS Fort Henry. At the age of 24, he was killed in action on 20 July 1863.
The following is the report filed 20 July 1863 by Lt. Comdr. McCauley, U.S. Navy regarding the engagement in the Waccasassa River which cost Doran his life.
"On the 20th ultimo, at early daylight, the launch was fitted out with ten days rations and ordered `to proceed off Bayport [Hernando County], to keep out of sight during daylight behind an island there, and at nighttime to endeavor to intercept the blockade runners. Two of my officers being sick, another away in charge of a prize, and needing the services of a fourth for other duty, I was obliged to put the launch in charge of the Chief Boatswain Mate. I forbade the ascent of Crystal River little imagining a necessity of the kind in respect to the Waccasassa.."
"In passing the latter a large amount of loose cotton floating downstream attracted attention, and the probability of making a good cotton capture induced Boatswain`s Mate Gillespie to pull up the river. Coming to a narrow part, they were fired into from both banks by about 50 or 60 rifles. Doran and Bishop sprang to the gun. Doran received a rifle ball through the neck, severing the carotid artery, and expired instantly; Bishop was shot through the
body, and lived about half an hour. The launch being protected by her spars in cranes, none of the rest of the crew was materially hurt. On receiving a return fire, the rebels decamped, and in a few minutes the launch pulled out of range and returned alongside at midnight."
"On the afternoon of the 21st the deceased were buried in the cemetery on Sea Horse Key with customary ceremonies."
The second grave is that of Ordinary Seaman Ephraim Hearn who was born in Norfolk, VA. Hearn enlisted in the Navy in New York, NY on 29 March 1862 for a three year enlistment and served aboard the USS North Carolina and the USS Fort Henry. He died aboard the USS Fort Henry on 20 August 1863 due to the bursting of a blood vessel. Hearn was 28 years old.
The third grave is that of Landsman William M. Robinson who was born in Philadelphia, PA. [See photograph] Robinson enlisted in the Navy on 05 November 1863 for a one year enlistment and served aboard the USS North Carolina, USS Neptune, USS North Carolina, and USS Union. On 14 March 1864, Robinson died on board the USS Union due to compression of the brain from a fall. He was 23 years old.
Today, Seahorse Key is part of the Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge and one of the largest bird nesting areas in Florida. The Cedar Keys Lighthouse on Seahorse Key will be open to the general public from 8:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 19 and Sunday, October 20. The island is accessible only by boat.
Robinson grave on Seahorse Key
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For more information, call Pam Darty at the Lower Suwannee
National Wildlife Refuge, (352) 493-0238, Ext. 12. Toni C. Collins
Historic Records Coordinator
Archives & History Center
Levy County Clerk`s Office |
