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Picture Set [1], [2], [3]
From NPS website: Dry Tortugas - Guardian of the Gulf of Mexico
Almost 70 miles (112.9 km) west of Key West lies a cluster of seven islands, composed of coral reefs
and sand, called the Dry Tortugas. Along with the surrounding shoals and waters, they make up
Dry Tortugas National Park. The area is known for its famous bird and marine life, its legends
of pirates and sunken gold, and its military past.
Fort Jefferson was built on Garden Key, the largest of the islands, to prevent a hostile power from occupying
the islands and putting U.S. shipping in the Gulf in danger. It would provided a post for defense of the Gulf Coast.
A bird's eye view of the fort taken from Google Maps.
A tourist gets to Fort Jefferson / Dry Tortugas Islands by going to Key West and riding a ferry 70 miles west.
The ferry is the Yankee Freedom II, a catamaran, that cruises at 30 mph. It leaves at 8AM and returns at 5:30PM.
Breakfast and lunch is provided; drinks are available after 1PM. The Water was calm and the ride was also.
A seaplane is also available for tourists.
Early morning sun when the ferry left Key West.
Catamaran engines churn up the water.
This is the first amd eastermost of the seven islands; it is East Key.
A view of Fort Jefferson as the ferry approaches. After the U.S. acquired these islands from Spain around 1820,
a lighthouse was placed on Garden Key. In 1829 Commodore John Rodgers visited the lighthouse and determined
this would be a fine location for a fort. Construction began in 1846. Before it was completed its military use
had faded. In the late 1800s it was used as quarantine station. In 1908, President Roosevelt named it as a
wildlife refuge. In 1935 it was designated as the Fort Jefferson National Monument and in 1992 the Dry Tortugas
National Park was created.
Fort entrances as seen from pier near the ferry's dock.
An old anchor along the walkway.
At the moat, a view to the right of the fort.
A view to the left. Campsites for overnight stays exist among the trees.
A ranger stated that this is a chunk of cement fished from the sea. During construction
cement for mortar was ship to the site in kegs. The nearest site to get construction material was 500
miles away in Pensacola, Fl.
More artifacts in the visitors center.
And a few more.
Picture Set [1], [2], [3]
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