Commissioned and placed in service in 1882, the lighthouse tender Wisteria had an iron hull with wood deck and superstructure, according to references provided by [Florida Keys historian] Tom Hambright. She was the most modern ship of her kind. After years of distinguished service, Wisteria was transferred to the Maritime Hospital Service, now the Public Health Service.

In 1911, Wisteria was moved to Key West as a quarantine station. In the hurricane of 1919, she sank on Frankfort Bank. She was upright and continued to be used by the Public Health Service as a quarantine station and hospital until the mid-1920s. After that, fishermen used her as a platform for skinning sharks and curing their hides.

The wooden parts of Wisteria were destroyed by fire on Feb. 10, 1933. The surviving iron hull of Wisteria, the Frankfort Bank on which she rested, and [spoil from] channel dredging eventually became Wisteria Island.

As many of you know, the historic hull of Wisteria is just visible at low tide, lying approximately 100 feet off the southwestern shore of the island. She is oriented approximately north-south, with her bow pointing north.

The wreck of Wisteria is a popular spot for diving. In only about six feet of water, she is fully accessible by snorkel, an experience that makes an exciting introduction for visitors and young people. Also, she provides frequent pleasure for locals and, if the seas are rough at Sand Key, snorkeling on Wisteria can be the best substitute for the reefs.

Hooray for the [county] commissioners committing possibly $3 million to create the Vandenberg wreck as a diving attraction some three miles offshore. At the same time, it should be clear that the commissioners must ensure our most famous and truly historic wreck, Wisteria, located only 1,000 yards or so from old City Hall, is protected.

What is necessary to protect and preserve Wisteria? I do not know. However, the commissioners can act as statesmen by tabling the proposed annexation until a full and historically sensitive answer can be given to that question. Very possibly, the preservation of Wisteria may influence the intended high-density development of Wisteria Island.