Cruises of the "Bucket List": Dry Tortugas

Dry Tortugas National Park

When we were in Key West with our boat we decided to let somebody else do the driving and take a fast cat to see the Dry Tortugas National Park. Our friends from Marathon, Dennis and Debi "True North" had driven down to join us on our side trip. Departure was at 8 AM. Breakfast and lunch would be provided on our excursion along with snorkeling gear. We were anticipating a good day at sea for our 30 knot two and one half hour ride to Garden Key which was 70 nm away. The cat holds 250 maximum passengers but only carried 150 guests due to park restrictions.

Fishers salvage boat

Mel Fisher discovered the wreck of the Atocha in 1985 and has been salvaging it ever since. In September 1622, the Atocha with its bottom ripped open from a storm, it spread it's treasure over many miles between Key West and the Tortugas. The ship carried hundreds of thousands of silver coins , thousands of silver ingots, as well as gold bars and gold coins and the personal wealth of the 260 souls on board who did not survive. His family has exclusive salvage rights, and for a price, you can invest in their company and go along on dives to search for the remaining treasure. Or, buy one in his store in Key West, like I did.

With the water so calm, you could see the Fort a long way off in the distance. Patches of sea grass could easily be seen 20 ft down. We were cruising along at 35 miles per hour. The crew aboard said it had been the best calm day in 3 weeks. We had the most pleasant ride we could have asked for.

Sailboat at anchor

When we arrived there was a sailboat anchored in the harbor next to the Fort. You wouldn't believe this water to be so calm 70 miles off shore. It was absolutely beautiful.

We docked on the south side by the draw bridge entrance to Fort Jefferson. Seven Islands make up the park.

Dry (meaning no fresh water) Tortugas (meaning turtle) named by Ponce de Leon in 1513.

The fort was built to fortify Mississippi River trade and control navigation to the gulf of Mexico. Construction started in 1846 for 30 years and never completed. During the Civil war it served as a Union military prison for deserters, which helped build the fort. The fort held Dr. Mudd as a prisoner until he earned a pardon for treating yellow fever.

Alternate means of transportation

Instead of taking the high speed catamaran you could opt to go by seaplane. On rough days, people have been known to go over by boat and after getting seasick, come home by plane. The boat goes every day (except some holidays) no matter how bad the waves are unless they are determined to be unsafe like in a Hurricane. This is how the boat got it's nickname of "the Vomit Comet".

Moat

The fort comes equipped with a moat. All of that shallow water around, and they still opted to have a moat. It was probably more of a deterrent to the prisoners who were building it, than to anyone who might try to breech the walls.

First look inside the walls you see the towering cast iron lighthouse.

Main level chambers. All the 16 million brick were brought in by ships. The outer walls are 8 feet thick.

This boat brought Cuban refugees to the keys a few years ago. Completely home made, it had a small gasoline engine and fiberglass hull. Must have been a calm day for their crossing.

Upper level passage way.

Inside the forts heavy brick constructed chambered walls were cooler breezes than the grounds inside the fort.

The sailboat we past coming around from the east side of the island.

Draw bridge to fort. The tree patch is where over night camping is permitted. Around the corner from there is the beach to snorkel over the reef.

Top of fort east side.

View from top of fort looking north.

Bush island was closed due to Tern mateing season.

View towards west, Loggerhead Key

The grounds inside the fort.

The oven, where the cannon balls were heated to glowing red hot and hoisted to the cannons to be fired at threatening ships.

Remains of the soldiers barracks.

Lighthouse

Lower window by draw bridge.

Draw bridge entrance from inside the fort

Beach where we snorkeled. The water was a bit chilly so we suited up in our 3 mil wet suits. There was a barracuda hovering over his reef so we gave him his space.