DRY TORTUGAS: ONLY 70 MILES WEST OF KEY WEST…WORTH THE TRIP
One in a series of occasional Florida travel articles
Key West, Fl
Published: May 2008
By Warren Resen, Member of the Florida Outdoor Writers Association
If you found yourself on an island out in the Gulf of Mexico 70 miles west of Key West, where do you think you might be…in another country, or perhaps another state? You would still be in the USA and in Florida and would probably be visiting Ft. Jefferson on Garden Key in the Dry Tortugas. The Dry Tortugas and Ft. Jefferson are places not familiar to many people.
When asked about the location, one person thought it was part of Cuba. Another thought it was a territory of the United States, and on it goes.
The islands were discovered by that ubiquitous Florida explorer Ponce de Leon in 1513 and named by him for the abundant turtle life (Las Tortugas). Later on, because of the lack of fresh water, mariners added the label “dry” to their charts. In 1832 naturalist John James Audubon visited there, traveling from Key West to study the abundant bird and marine life. The next happening of note was construction of Ft. Jefferson, named for president Thomas Jefferson, by the U.S Army Corps of Engineers beginning in 1846.
The Dry Tortugas are located along one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes. Its strategic location was seen as key to protecting shipping through the Gulf of Mexico and the building of a heavily armed fort was seen as a necessity in the mid 1800’s. Ft. Jefferson, designed to support 450 cannons, is the largest masonry structure in the Western Hemisphere.
Construction went on for over 30 years, ending in 1875. During that time, never was a shot fired in anger. Although the fort was never finished, estimates are that more than 16 million bricks were used during its construction.
Unless you have your own boat, for most visitors getting to what could be the most isolated national park in the Continental United States usually means a cruise on one of two speedy catamarans that leave Key West at 8 a.m. Arrival at the Ft. Jefferson dock takes 2 – 2 1/2 hours and the larger of the two craft, the 110 ft. Yankee Freedom, can transport up to 100 passengers. Breakfast is served on board this ship and lunch is a picnic style buffet on the island. Now, why go there in the first place?
The Dry Tortugas, with Ft Jefferson as its centerpiece, comprise seven undeveloped coral and sand islands. Far removed from civilization, this is a pristine paradise. Dedicated as the Dry Tortugas National Park in 1992, it covers 64,700 acres of mostly open water.
Tales of the pirates who roamed this area are legend. The ocean bottom surrounding the islands is littered with shipwrecks, many are Spanish galleons laden with gold and other treasures, which are still to be found. Mel Fisher’s group is still recovering treasures from his famous find.
Civil War buffs have a historic fort to explore. During the Civil War, Ft. Jefferson was used as a military prison for captured deserters. Dr. Samuel Mudd was imprisoned here. He was accused as being an accomplice for setting the broken leg of John Wilkes Booth after president Lincoln’s assassination. This was the last port of call for the Maine before it left for Havana where it was blown up, precipitating the Spanish-American War.
On docking, guides are available for free 45 minute narrated walking tours of the fort. But there is much more available during your visit.
Snorkelers are given gear before leaving the ship and are free to explore the shallow waters surrounding the island. Fishermen wander the beaches hoping to hook the big one. There is even free limited overnight primitive camping if you make advance arrangements and bring your own equipment.
For birders, this is paradise. The islands of the Tortugas are in the main flyway from the United States to South America. Hundreds of thousands of sooty terns nest there as do thousands of brown noddies. You have to be a birder to appreciate these names. Countless other species can be seen on their seasonal migrations. The National Park service bird list for the Dry Tortugas includes 299 species.
Now back to Key West from where you left for the Dry Tortugas. Key West is, well Key West. It too is a different world and the unofficial capitol of the Conch Republic as residents of the Keys refer to themselves. A day trip to the Dry Tortugas would normally mean a stay of several days, or more, in this famous location.
Key West has an amazing amount of history for so small an island and you have probably heard of the doings on Duvall St. All of this information can easily be culled from the Internet and brochures.
Sightseeing in Key West is a joy. Photographing old New England-style houses can use up most of you digital card and batteries. Museums and sites of local interest are mostly located in the Old Town section. But parking there can be difficult. Some accommodations, like B&Bs, might not have any available parking.
If you are in the Old Town area, much of the on-street parking is by resident permit only although some metered parking is provided. Commercial parking lots can run from $13 to $30 per day. Alternatives would include rental bicycles (or bring your own), electric vehicles or the touring trolleys which allow unlimited daily use throughout the day.
Now for a bit of trivia. Key West has become famous, or infamous for the roosters that roam the streets of the island. When residents decided they had enough, the question became how these chickens could be humanely removed. A trapper was called in and as the street smart birds are captured, they are being relocated to a farm far removed from the Conch Republic way up in Eustis, Florida. The famous six-toed cats from the Ernest Hemingway House can now roam freely without fear of being pecked.
When you are ready to travel to a place that is almost foreign but still stay in Florida, Key West and the Dry Tortugas is waiting. And they accept dollars.
For more pictures and information browse the archives at www.farmerandrancher.com.
