1836 - Seminole Indians attacked the Cape Florida lighthouse on Key Biscayne on this date. Assistant keeper, John W. B. Thompson, and a slave named Aaron Carter returned fire until evening. The two men were wounded and Carter eventually died from his wounds. The Seminoles set the lighthouse afire, and when a large drum of oil was punctured, the entire building appeared ready to burn. Thompson retreated to the top of the lighthouse to escape the flames. In desperation, he threw a keg of gunpowder to the bottom of the tower. The explosion rattled the building, momentarily suppressing the fire. The Seminoles were convinced that both men were dead and withdrew. Thompson managed to survive, although he was badly burned by the fire. He was rescued a few days later by the crew of the U.S.S. Motto, who had heard the explosion from about twelve miles at sea.