Paradise Key West Style!

The Dry Tortugas

Posted by: Keywester, 2:55 PM GMT on September 24, 2009

Fort Jefferson & The Dry Tortugas

At the southernmost tip of the Continental United States lies the island paradise Key West with its own unique charm and laid back lifestyle - Famous for Hemingway, sunset celebrations and much more. However the end of US 1 is just the beginning, let the Dry Tortugas Ferry or the Seaplanes of Key West take you a further 70 miles (112.9km) west of Key West, Florida, out over the emerald waters of the Gulf of Mexico to America's most inaccessible National Park - The Dry Tortugas - Fort Jefferson on Garden Key

The Dry Tortugas National Park consists of seven tiny islands composed of coral reefs, white sandy beaches and the surrounding tropical waters. The area is known for its famous bird and marine life, and its legends of pirates and sunken gold, and sheer unspoiled beauty. Ft. Jefferson, the largest of the 19th century American coastal forts is a central feature. When Ponce De Leon originally discovered these islands (in 1513) he named them "Las Tortugas" (meaning "the turtles" in Spanish) because of the abundance of sea turtles that provisioned his ships with fresh meat, but there was no fresh water - the Tortugas were dry. Even though hunting drastically reduced their numbers, many varieties of the species are still present in the area. The Dry Tortugas National Park is dominated by its’ central feature, the majestic Fort Jefferson - the largest 19th century coastal fort. It's time to step back in time and explore the history that is Fort Jefferson, sunbathe on a remote palm tree lined white sand beach or snorkel the
living reef in the warm crystal clear waters of this beautiful Paradise.

History:
The Tortugas were first discovered by Ponce de Leon in 1513. Abundant sea turtles or "tortugas" provisioned his ships with fresh meat, but there was no fresh water-the tortugas were dry. Since the days of Spanish exploration, the reefs and shoals of the Dry Tortugas have been a serious hazard to navigation and the site of hundreds of shipwrecks.

U.S. military attention was drawn to the keys in the early 1800s due to their strategic location in the Florida Straits. Plans were made for a massive fortress and construction began in 1846, but the fort was never completed. The invention of the rifled cannon made it obsolete. As the military value of Fort Jefferson waned, its pristine reefs, abundant sea life and impressive numbers of birds grew in value. In 1935, President Franklin Roosevelt set aside Fort Jefferson and the surrounding waters as a national monument. The area was redesignated as Dry Tortugas National Park in 1992 to protect both the historical and natural features.

Fort Jefferson:
Active Use: 1860s - 1930s
The fort remained in Federal hands throughout the Civil War. With the end of hostilities in 1865, the fort's population declined to 1,013, consisting of 486 soldiers or civilians and 527 prisoners. The great majority of prisoners at Fort Jefferson were Army privates whose most common transgression was desertion while most civilian prisoners transgressed by robbery. However, in July 1865 four special civilian prisoners arrived. These were Dr. Samuel Mudd, Edmund Spangler, Samuel Arnold, and Michael O'Laughlen, who had been convicted of conspiracy in the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. Construction of Fort Jefferson was still under way when Dr. Mudd and his fellow prisoners arrived, and continued throughout the time they were imprisoned there and for several years thereafter, but was never completely finished. Mudd provided much-praised medical care during a yellow fever epidemic at the fort in 1867, and was eventually pardoned by President Andrew Johnson and released. By 1888, the military usefulness of Fort Jefferson had waned, and the cost of maintaining the fort due to the effects of frequent hurricanes and the corrosive and debilitating tropical climate could no longer be justified. In 1888, the Army turned the fort over to the Marine Hospital Service to be operated as a quarantine station.

Island Paradise

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1. mobal 2:59 PM GMT on September 24, 2009
I have alway wanted to go there, but the plane ride is pricey from Key West.... Member Since: August 3, 2005 Posts: 479 Comments: 5311

2. spathy 3:02 PM GMT on September 24, 2009
Great post. Jamiekins and Spathy camped at the fort for 4 days last summer. One day we will do it again. Did you boat or camp there? Or just the day trip? Member Since: June 8, 2008 Posts: 65 Comments: 10487

3. Keywester 3:05 PM GMT on September 24, 2009
I usually take the Sunny Days high speed catamaran for a day trip these days. When My Dad was alive and shrimping in the 50's, we would go there to camp out for weekends occasionally. Member Since: April 29, 2007 Posts: 98 Comments: 127

4. spathy 3:09 PM GMT on September 24, 2009
KW great memories for sure. So you have probably seen many phases of repairs. Member Since: June 8, 2008 Posts: 65 Comments: 10487

5. Keywester 3:15 PM GMT on September 24, 2009
It's sad to see our childhood disappear.... sometimes, right in front of our eyes. I treasure the memories of times gone by, but also relish the present. It's a great day trip, and besides Sunny Days, there is also the Yankee Freedom ferry and of course the sea planes. Member Since: April 29, 2007 Posts: 98 Comments: 127

6. spathy 3:22 PM GMT on September 24, 2009
I cant figure out how to post it here, but Jamiekins has a vid of our trip on his blog. Posted by: Jamiekins, 4:28 AM GMT on May 27, 2009 If you could get away for a week and it was free where would you go? I would be in the Dry Tortugas Fort Jefferson Member Since: June 8, 2008 Posts: 65 Comments: 10487

7. Keywester 1:53 PM GMT on September 25, 2009
More Beautiful pictures, and one made in 1934....WOW...History is so COOL! Member Since: April 29, 2007 Posts: 98 Comments: 127

8. seflagamma 2:00 PM GMT on September 25, 2009
Hi KW, That is one island I have also always wanted to visit. Must put that on my YOLO list! Thanks for the beautiful photos!!! have a great weekend. Member Since: August 29, 2005 Posts: 286 Comments: 40485

9. DeltaPride 5:32 PM GMT on September 25, 2009
OMG..It is really beautiful there! I could really enjoy being there...especially at this time of my life! Thanks for Sharing this! Member Since: April 19, 2007 Posts: 123 Comments: 288

10. seflagamma 3:12 PM GMT on September 26, 2009
Hi KW, Enjoy your weekend in paradise! Weekend Comments Myspace Comments - Myspace 2.0 Layouts Member Since: August 29, 2005 Posts: 286 Comments: 40485

11. seflagamma 8:33 PM GMT on March 20, 2010
Hello , Thank you for stopping by my blog this week. Oh my husband and I had a wonderful time on your beautiful island last weekend. Cannot wait to return; hope it is a little warmer and less windy and we will do a little fishing or boating next time. Just wanted to stop by and say Happy First Day of Spring! Spring Comments Myspace Comments - Myspace 2.0 Layouts Member Since: August 29, 2005 Posts: 286 Comments: 40485

12. Johnexo 7:25 AM GMT on April 06, 2011
The most noteworthy attraction of the dry tortugas national park is the striking brick behemoth known as Ft. Jefferson. Built to protect the southern coastline of the United States, due to flaws in the foundation and obsolescence brought on by improvements in weapon technology, the fort never fulfilled its intended purpose. Member Since: February 18, 2011 Posts: 0 Comments: 1

13. Johnexo 5:53 AM GMT on May 18, 2011
The most noteworthy attraction at the dry tortugas national park is the striking brick behemoth known as Ft. Jefferson. Built to protect the southern coastline of the United States, due to flaws in the foundation and obsolescence brought on by improvements in weapon technology, the fort never fulfilled its intended purpose. Member Since: February 18, 2011 Posts: 0 Comments: 1

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