Dry Tortugas

https://www.nps.gov/drto/index.htm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dry_Tortugas_National_Park Dry Tortugas National Park is about 68 miles (109 km) west of Key West in the Gulf of Mexico. The park preserves Fort Jefferson and the seven Dry Tortugas islands, the westernmost and most isolated of the Florida Keys. The archipelago's coral reefs are the least disturbed of the Florida Keys reefs. The park is noted for abundant sea life, tropical bird breeding grounds, colorful coral reefs, and legends of shipwrecks and sunken treasures. The park's centerpiece is Fort Jefferson, a massive but unfinished coastal fortress. Fort Jefferson is the largest brick masonry structure in the Western Hemisphere, and is composed of more than 16 million bricks. Dry Tortugas is unique in its combination of a largely undisturbed tropical ecosystem with significant historic artifacts. The park is accessible only by seaplane or boat. Activities include snorkeling, picnicking, birdwatching, camping, scuba diving, saltwater fishing and kayaking. Almost 70 miles (113 km) west of Key West lies the remote Dry Tortugas National Park. This 100-square mile park is mostly open water with seven small islands. Accessible only by boat or seaplane, the park is known the world over as the home of magnificent Fort Jefferson, picturesque blue waters, superlative coral reefs and marine life, and the vast assortment of bird life that frequents the area. Dry Tortugas National Park is one of the most remote parks in the National Park System. Located approximately 70 miles west of Key West it is accessible only by a daily concession ferry, private boats, charter boats, or seaplane. Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center Temporarily closed due to Covid-19. Enter Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center and take a journey into the world of the native plants and animals of the Keys, both on land and underwater. Leave with an increased awareness and appreciation of the need to protect and conserve ecosystems of South Florida. The Center features over 6,000 square feet of interactive and dynamic exhibits including a mock-up of Aquarius, the world's only underwater ocean laboratory. Arriving from the north: Take US 1 South Turn right on North Roosevelt Boulevard Continue on Roosevelt; it will turn into Truman Avenue Take a right on Whitehead Street Take a left on Southard Street Go straight until you see the Center on the right Garden Key Visitor Center Garden Key Visitor Center is located inside Fort Jefferson. At the visitor center you will find artifacts, an informational movie, the bookstore, and souvenirs. The visitor center is inside Fort Jefferson. Once you enter the fort, it will be to your right. Garden Key Campground Garden Key, home to Fort Jefferson, has a primitive campground only a short walk from public dock and piers. Individual sites can accommodate up to three 2-person tents (6 persons max per-site) on a first-come, first served basis. In the event a regular campsite is unavailable, an overflow area will be made available. Upon arrival all overnight visitors will be provided a place to camp. For parties of 10 or more, a group campsite is available through our website. Garden Key Campground Fee 15.00 The campground is a self-service fee area with a nightly fee of $15 per campsite. A 50% discount applies to holders of the Golden Age or Golden Access Pass. No other discounts apply. Fees paid for transportation (seaplane or ferry) do not include camping fees. Golden Age or Golden Access Pass 7.50 A 50% discount applies to holders of the Golden Age or Golden Access Pass. Tents at the Dry Tortugas Tents and supplies set up on the campground. Campsites have picnic tables and grills. Campers must bring all supplies, including a tent, fresh water, fuel, ice, and food. All trash and garbage must be carried out upon departure. Overflow Camp Area Tents are set up on the overflow area of Garden Key Should a regular campsite not be available, an overflow area is provided. All campers, once they arrive will be guaranteed a place to camp. Campers will not be turned away. Camping Fee The self-service fee area at Garden Key. The campground is a self-service fee area with a nightly fee of $15 per campsite. A 50% discount applies to holders of the Golden Age or Golden Access Pass. No other discounts apply. Fees paid for transportation (seaplane or ferry) do not include camping Milky Way over Garden Key Campground A clear view of the Milky Way as it stretches over a campground and fort. Camping is the best way to see unaltered views of the night sky and hear the symphony of sounds protected by the National Park Service. Night sky at the Dry Tortugas A few of the stars at night with a view of Fort Jefferson. The Dry Tortugas is so remote that night sky viewing is possible. Sunset at Fort Jefferson Park visitors enjoy a sunset on the moat wall. Sunsets at the Dry Tortugas are breathtaking. Visitors who choose to camp over night can view the sun set at Fort Jefferson. Inside Fort Jefferson A view inside Fort Jefferson. Garden Key is the second largest island in the Dry Tortugas, about 14 acres in size, and has had the most human impact. Located on Garden Key is historic Fort Jefferson, one of the nation’s largest 19th century forts and a central cultural feature of Dry Diving at the Dry Tortugas Two divers dive the Windjammer Wreck The Dry Tortugas has over 300 sunken ships. One of the most accessible is the Winjammer Wreck which can be dove or snorkeled. Loggerhead Key A boat passes in front of Loggerhead Key during sunset. The largest island in the Dry Tortugas, Loggerhead Key is a site of shipwrecks, a significant lighthouse installation, and where the historic Carnegie Laboratory for Marine Ecology once stood. Named for its abundance of loggerhead sea turtles, Loggerhead Fort Jefferson A view of Fort Jefferson from the moat all. ort Jefferson is a massive but unfinished coastal fortress. It is the largest masonry structure in the Americas, and is composed of over 16 million bricks. Aerial view of the Dry Tortugas An aerial view of the Dry Tortugas The Dry Tortugas is made up of seven islands. Reconstruction During Reconstruction, the Federal government pursued a program of political, social, and economic restructuring across the South-including an attempt to accord legal equality and political power to former slaves. Reconstruction became a struggle over the meaning of freedom, with former slaves, former slaveholders and Northerners adopting divergent definitions. Faced with increasing opposition by white Southerners and some Northerners, however, the government abandoned effor Picture depictsing former slaves and free blacks voting following the passage of the 15th amendment Sea-level rise and inundation scenarios for national parks in South Florida A review of the science leads researchers to project sea level rise and inundation, trends in the frequency of nuisance flooding, recurrence intervals of storm surge, and impacts on infrastructure intended to provide useful information for managers and planners. Median RCP8.5 mean sea-level elevation projections for Everglades and Biscayne; NPS/Everglades NP Sex on the reef: Observations of coral spawning in Dry Tortugas National Park A collaborative state and federal dive team observes the annual reproductive spawning event of protected corals in Florida’s most remote park. A colony of elkhorn coral releases thousands of egg-sperm bundles; NPS/Brett Seymour Spiny Lobster Reserves Spiny lobsters (Panulirus argus) are keystone predators that, by preying on other carnivorous invertebrates in the reef ecosystem, control populations and mediate competition among prey species. The removal of this species thus reduces the biodiversity and resilience of the entire system. Spiny lobster observed from above ocean floor. Science at Sea in the Gulf of Mexico Science at Sea - Follow along as a research cruise makes its way around the Gulf of Mexico and collects water samples from 4 national parks. ocean view of Florida Bay NPS Geodiversity Atlas—Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida Each park-specific page in the NPS Geodiversity Atlas provides basic information on the significant geologic features and processes occurring in the park. Links to products from Baseline Geologic and Soil Resources Inventories provide access to maps and reports. masonry fort on island Preserving Places of Captivity: Civil War Military Prisons in the National Parks During the Civil War, over 400,000 Union and Confederate soldiers were held prisoner at more than 150 diff erent prison sites. Approximately 56,000 of these died in captivity. Although Andersonville is the most famous Civil War prison, it is only one of many Civil War military prisons that are preserved by the National Park Service. Shaping the System under President George H.W. Bush President George H.W. Bush was an ardent supporter of the national parks. Explore some the parks that are part of the legacy of the presidency of George H.W. Bush, who served as the 41st president of the United States from January 20, 1989 to January 20, 1993. President George H.W. Bush shaking hands with a park ranger at the World War II Memorial Third System of Coastal Forts How should a country protect its borders? The United States had to consider this question when the War of 1812 ended in 1815. One year later, the federal government believed it had an answer. The nation created a broad national defense strategy that included a new generation of waterfront defenses called the Third System of Coastal Fortifications. The setting sun lights a stone fort wall where a US flag flies high. Veteran Story: Erin Rust "This place is indescribable. There is an immense contrast between the incredibly delicate coral ecosystem and the monumental Fort Jefferson." A park ranger describes her transition from active duty military to veteran national park ranger. Rows of arches of Fort Jefferson with it's black lighthouse in the foreground Seacoast Ordnance Cannon manufactured for use in Third System forts are called seacoast ordnance. These were some of the largest and heaviest cannon available at the time. Cannon at forts Pickens, McRee, Barrancas, Massachusetts, and Advanced Redoubt fell into three categories: guns, howitzers, and mortars. Each had a specific purpose. National Parks Defend America's Coast During World War II Many national park sites joined the war effort in World War II by erecting Aircraft Warning, radio and radar stations. Some historic forts came to life with coastal defenses ready to defend the nation. color photo of explosion atop a fort wall, ocean beyond Data Manager Profile: Judd Patterson Meet Judd Patterson, Data Manager for the South Florida Caribbean Network. As a data manager, helps wrangle all the information that we collect on the health of our park resources. Judd is excited about the stories data can tell through time, whether that's looking back at park records from over a hundred years ago, or making sure the science we do in our parks today become time capsules for future generations to learn about how things were back in 2021. Data manager Judd Patterson smiles at the camera while holding camera equiment. The Job is His, Not Yours In the early 1950s, park wives continued to function as they had from the 1920s to the 1940s. The NPS still got Two For the Price of One, relying on women to keep monuments in the Southwest running, to give freely of their time and talents, to build and maintain park communities, and to boost morale among park staffs. With the creation of the Mission 66 Program to improve park facilities, the NPS found new ways to put some park wives to (unpaid) work. Man and woman with telescope Connecting Fire, Connecting Conservation Fire burns across south Florida in a landscape level prescribed fire operation. Fire burns and smoke billows across south Florida landscape Top 10 Tips for Planning your Trip to Dry Tortugas National Park Plan like a Park Ranger with these top 10 tips for visiting Dry Tortugas National Park The clear turquoise water laps against the shore as a woman walks along the white sand. Changing Patterns of Water Availability May Change Vegetation Composition in US National Parks Across the US, changes in water availability are altering which plants grow where. These changes are evident at a broad scale. But not all areas experience the same climate in the same way, even within the boundaries of a single national park. A new dataset gives park managers a valuable tool for understanding why vegetation has changed and how it might change in the future under different climate-change scenarios. Green, orange, and dead grey junipers in red soil, mountains in background Women in Landscape-Scale Conservation: Kristen Hart Kristen Hart loves turtles! In this short interview, she explains how she got started in landscape-scale conservation and offers some advice to young people getting in to the field...like learning how to change a tire! woman kneels next to sea turtle in boat Guide to the Thomas J. Allen Photograph Collection Finding aid for the Thomas J. Allen Photographs in the NPS History Collection. Series: Parks in Science History Parks in Science History is a series of articles and videos made in cooperation with graduate students from various universities. They highlight the roles that national parks have played in the history of science and, therefore, the world's intellectual heritage. A woman looking through binoculars National Parks in the History of Science: America's First Tropical Marine Laboratory (Video) Field research often requires field laboratories. Not surprisingly, those labs are in some of the most interesting ecosystems on the planet. With clear water, diverse habitats, and abundant life, the Dry Tortugas – 70 miles beyond Key West, Florida – hosted America’s first tropical marine laboratory from 1904-1939. The legacy of science continues today as Dry Tortugas National Park and its partners work to understand and protect this special place. a historic black and white photo of a complex of buildings on the end of an island spit Project Profile: Protect and Restore Coral Reefs The National Park Service will take a multi-faceted approach to coral management by implementing disease treatment, on-the-ground restoration, research, and other management actions to increase coral reef health. a diver in scuba gear examines coral Fort Jefferson Virtual Tour Construction of Fort Jefferson began in 1846 on Garden Key, surrounding a brick lighthouse that had been built there in 1825. The fort was intended to protect American shipping interests in the Gulf of Mexico. It was the largest all-masonry fort in the United States. Explore Fort Jefferson via HDP’s virtual tour, point cloud, animations, and archival HABS documentation. View of lighthouse and two-story arcade with green lawn in foreground Rediscovering HMS Tyger On January 13, 1742 HMS Tyger ran aground on coral reefs near Garden Key. The crew desperately heaved the heavy cannon and anchors offboard to lighten the load, and tried shifting the vessel off its perch. But it was no use. HMS Tyger was stuck – really stuck – and friends were 700 miles away. Hundreds of years later, archeologists identified the shipwreck and have learned much more about the crew’s plight on the isolated island chain. Painting of HMS Tyger 50 Nifty Finds #45: Holding the Line The National Park Service (NPS) was only 26 years old when the United States entered World War II. The young bureau faced very real threats to its mission, with increasing pressure to contribute its natural and cultural resources to the war effort even as its budget and staff were slashed. Under the leadership of Director Newton B. Drury, the NPS was able to do its part for the war while maintaining its public trust responsibilities to the American people. Worth Fighting For fire prevention poster National Park Service Protects Critical Corals from Destructive Disease The National Park Service is working to increase overall coral health and resilience to climate change and other environmental stressors and prevent the extirpation of multiple species in the Southeastern U.S. a scuba diver works to replant coral underwater Project Profile: Prevention/Islands: Traveler Education The National Park Service will lead a collaborative effort with Department of the Interior bureaus and other partners to promote behaviors that will decrease the risk of spreading invasive species on islands. Education and outreach products will be developed with the goal of reaching the largest audience of island visitors possible. Half above and half underwater view of thick mangrove roots growing.

Dry Tortugas Almost 70 miles west of Key West, Florida, lies a cluster of seven islands, composed of coral reefs and sand, called the Dry Tortugas. With the surrounding shoals and water, they make up Dry Tortugas National Park, an area noted for bird and marine life and shipwrecks. Fort Jefferson, its central cultural feature, is one of the nation’s largest 1800s masonry forts. First named Las Tortugas (The Turtles) in 1513, by Spanish explorer Ponce de León, the reefs soon read Dry Tortugas National Park Florida and went on for 30 years but was never finished. During the Civil War the fort served as a Union military prison for captured deserters. It also held four men convicted of complicity in President Abraham Lincoln’s assassination in 1865. The Army abandoned the fort in 1874. “Dry Tortugas” on mariners’ charts to show they offered no fresh water. In 1825 a lighthouse was built on Garden Key to warn sailors of coral shoals. The light that now stands on Loggerhead Key was built in 1857. By 1829 the United States knew it could control navigation to the Gulf of Mexico and protect Atlantic-bound Mississippi River trade by fortifying the Tortugas. Fort Jefferson’s construction started on Garden Key in 1846, In 1908 the area became a wildlife refuge to protect the sooty tern rookery from egg collectors. Proclaimed as Fort Jefferson National Monument in 1935, the area would be Green sea turtle National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior redesignated in 1992 as Dry Tortugas National Park to protect its nationally significant scenic, cultural, marine, and scientific values for the education and inspiration of the public. Not least among its natural treasures are its namesakes, the endangered green sea turtles and threatened loggerhead turtles that nest here. Snorkeling, swimming, saltwater sport fishing, underwater photography, birding, and touring the historic fort are popular activities in the park today. The large photo shows Fort Jefferson on Garden Key. © DOUG PERR INE / SEAPICS.COM NPS Be Prepared for Your Visit Vital to Nesting Birds Coral Reefs The park is open all year. Fort Jefferson is open daylight hours only, as is Loggerhead Key. Boats and amphibious planes serve the park from Key West. Go to “Plan Your Visit” on the park website for ferry and seaplane information. You must be selfsufficient: the park has no public lodging, water, food, bathing facilities, trash facilities, or supplies. Private pleasure boats are welcome, but must be fully self-sufficient and must acquire a permit through the park rangers at Garden Key. Smallmouth grunts © TOM STACK / TOM STACK ASSOCIATES Warm, clear, and well lit, the shallow waters of the Dry Tortugas foster optimal conditions for coral reefs to develop on the outer edges of these islands. Actual builders of these fringing reefs are small primitive animals called polyps. Over centuries these polyps accumulate in living colonies that form the reef’s rigid structures that are so often misconstrued as rocks. Though fragile, the Tortugas reef complex supports a wealth of marine life. Multicolored sea fans sway in gentle currents. Sea anemones thrust upward their rose and lavender tentacles in search of food. Lobsters anticipating danger wave their antennae. Sponges dot sandy bottoms, and staghorn coral clusters create underwater forests. Most obvious among coral reef inhabitants are the colorful reef fishes. Vivid and boldly patterned reds, yellows, greens, and blues work like camouflage and identity, warning, and Snorkeling NPS / JOHN BROOKS courtship messages. Predatory fish include amberjacks, group­ers, wahoos, tarpon, and, atop this coral reef food pyramid, sharks and barracudas. Sea turtle populations have diminished worldwide mostly from illegal hunting for gourmet meat, leather, and cosmetic oils. But green, loggerhead, and hawksbill turtles can still be seen in the Dry Tortugas. Sea turtles prey on small marine invertebrates and forage seagrass and other aquatic plants. Twice or more per season females lumber onto beaches to dig out nests, lay up to 100 eggs, cover them, and retreat seaward. Hatchlings crawl seaward by instinct, but many succumb to natural predators somewhere between the nest and the sea. It is critical that humans not add to the threat by disturbing sea turtles or their nests. Sooty tern NPS In season a succession of songbirds and other migrants fly over or rest at the Dry Tortugas. The islands lie across a principal flyway between North America and South America. Familiar up north in summer, many gulls, terns, and migratory shore birds winter here. A great wildlife spectacle happens yearly between mid-January and mid-October when as many as 100,000 sooty terns gather on Bush Key for nesting season. They come from the Caribbean Sea and west-central Atlantic Ocean. As early as mid-January, sooties perform nocturnal maneuvers above the Dry Tortugas but spend their days at sea. When they do land here, egg-lay

National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Dry Tortugas National Park Florida Fort Jefferson Self-Guided Tour Seth Eastman, 1875 Background Chart of the Dry Tortugas The story of Fort Jefferson lies with the maritime history of the Florida Straits and the excellent harborage afforded by the Dry Tortugas. These two geographic features stand at a nexus of currents, winds, and shipping routes. The Dry Tortugas rest at the western extremity of the massive Florida Reef system, the third largest coral barrier reef in the world. To the south lies the island nation of Cuba. Between the two lies the 106-mile bottleneck of the Florida Straits, through which flows the Florida Current. The shallow waters of the Dry Tortugas represent a strategic refuge for ships transiting these sealanes between the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic. It was in 1513 that Don Juan Ponce de Leon discovered the islands of the Dry Tortugas and the Florida Current. The Florida Current is known as the Gulf Current after it merges with the Antilles Current near Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. For mariners in the Gulf of Mexico and the Florida Straights, this 2-to -4 knot current was highly prized for the added speed it provided their vessels. This was especially true for Spanish vessels carrying riches from the New World back to Spain. As maritime traffic increased along this current, the anchorage of the Dry Tortugas became vital as a haven for ships in times of inclement weather and war. After the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, American merchants from the Mississippi River began frequenting the Dry Tortugas harbor. By the time Florida was acquired by the United States in 1821, military strategists of the young nation were already formulating ideas on how to secure this vital anchorage for American interests. Fort Jefferson Self-Guided Tour Booklet 1 Homeland Defense “Of themselves (forts) they can never exert an influence dangerous to public liberty; but as the means of preserving peace, and as obstacles to an invader, their influence and power are immense.” - Lieutenant Henry W. Halleck “Report on the Means of National Defense 1843” Throughout the 19th Century, the United States sought to defend its vast maritime frontier and flourishing merchant trade. Still in its infancy as a nation, the United States did not have the means to construct a vast navy to rival those of Europe. These factors, combined with the financial desire to maintain a small, affordable military, influenced strategic thinkers to focus on a defensive strategy based largely around coastal forts. This culture of coastal forts flourished until after World War II and the advent of aircraft, missiles, and easily deployed amphibious assault tactics. Fort Jefferson stands today as a superb example of this earlier national strategy and has seen little change in its original appearance over time. Named for President Thomas Jefferson, the walls of Fort Jefferson encompass 10 acres of the 16-acre Garden Key. The third-largest seacoast fortification the United States ever built, it served along with Fort Zachary Taylor and the East and West Martello towers in Key West to secure the Florida Reef in the 19th Century for American interests. Fort Jefferson was specifically constructed to defend the strategic harbor located in the Dry Tortugas. Situated at the northern entrance to the Florida Straits, any naval force in possession of the Dry Tortugas would have a base of operations from which ships could be sent out to harass commerce or Gulf coastal cities. Fort Jefferson was constructed to control this point because the United States lacked the naval force to protect the harbor. The fort’s immense size reflects this mission; the fort would undeniably stand alone in the event of a naval assault. Therefore, Fort Jefferson was designed to hold enough artillery, men, and supplies for a year-long naval siege. President Thomas Jefferson 1801-1809 National Park Service 2 Map of Garden Key, showing proposed location of fort, 1845. Design and Construction General Joseph Totten, Chief of the Army Corps of Engineers, 1838-1864 Fort Jefferson was designed by General Joseph Totten, who served as Chief of the Army Corps of Engineers from 1838 until his death in 1864. The fort is hexagonal (six-sided) with three levels, or tiers, for artillery. Constructed mostly of poured concrete, the facade of the fort is composed of over 16 million bricks. The fort was under construction from 1846 until 1889, but was never completed because of structural issues, the growth of the United States Navy, technological advances in warship design (specifically steam propulsion), and the advent of large ship-borne rifled artillery that advanced beyond the defensive capabilities of Fort Jefferson’s architecture. The fort’s remote location, the extreme summer heat, disease and hurricanes all hindered construction. Materials for construction of the fort came from as far away as Maine, and as close as

Dry Tortugas National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Dry Tortugas National Park P.O. Box 6208 Key West, FL 33041 Visiting Bush Key A Subtropical Isle Awaits Those who visit Dry Tortugas National Park in the fall are afforded the special opportunity to catch a rare glimpse of life on an undeveloped, subtropical island. Though only 20 acres in size, Bush Key boasts an impressive assemblage of plants and animals not found elsewhere in the continental United States. Autumn visitors are invited to take a stroll along the shoreline of this island to discover both subtle charms and unexpected surprises—all beneath an amazing avian spectacle that unfolds overhead. Island Access Bush Key is open for visitation annually from October 15 to January 15. During this time, visitors are welcome to land kayaks, canoes, dinghies, or small skiffs on the beach at the western end of the island from sunrise to sunset. To preserve a tranquil visitor experience, landings are limited to a total of 24 persons daily, and visitors are required to obtain a vessel permit from a park ranger. From the landing beach, a 1-mile trail winds along the margin of Bush Key, providing opportunities to experience some of the area’s natural features, including sand beaches, coastal dunes, and an active Magnificent Frigatebird colony. Visitors seeking a shorter walk are invited to use the designated crossover trail located approximately midway along the island. Visitors are asked to stay on marked trails to prevent disturbing vegetation and nesting wildlife. A sturdy pair of closed-toe shoes is recommended, and visitors are advised to use caution while navigating the rocky terrain of coral rubble. Visitor are also advised to bring an ample supply of drinking water. Visitors should plan approximately 1-2 hours to explore Bush Key. Inquire at the visitor center on Garden Key regarding the availability of rangerled tours during your stay. Bush Key Map Key Trail Head Trail East Pond Sensitive Island Vegetation Dingy / Kayak Landing Beach Long Key - Island Closed to Visitation Long Key (Closed all year to protect nesting birds) Island Living The cycle of life unfolds continuously on Bush Key. Skeletons of red mangrove trees rise along the northern shore of the island in silent testimony to the power of occasional hurricanes. But beneath, amidst sand and coral rubble, grows a verdant garden of sea lavender, prickly pear cactus, and coastal sea rocket. Among the roots and rocks wander hundreds of tiny hermit crabs. Some timber or an old bottle might even be found washed upon the shore—seafaring flotsam from a far distant coast, perhaps. Such curiosities may lower your gaze, but its important to also look up! Brown Pelicans, Double-crested Cormorants, gulls, and terns all frequent Bush Key in great numbers. And from a distance, visitors can take The Other Nine Months in the daring aerial maneuvers of immense Magnificent Frigatebirds as they conspicuously circle their nests on Long Key. A quick glance into the shallows south of Bush Key might even find a nurse shark swimming idly by—plying the waters of the nearby Nurse Shark Special Protection Zone. Dense growth of sea lavender and coral rubble beaches are but a few of the scenes that greet visitors to Bush Key. Access to Bush Key is restricted for the majority of the year to protect the unique assemblage of wildlife that gathers on the island. Cacophonous nesting colonies of Frigatebirds, Brown Pelicans, Brown Noddies, and Sooty Terns take up residence in the spring, where they raise their young before abandoning the island again in late summer. During the fall migration, Bush Key beckons a collection of transient songbirds, warblers, and raptors en route through the Atlantic flyway. These birds often depend upon the island vegetation for protective cover. The key also provides important habitat for both loggerhead and green sea turtles, which nest on the sandy beaches of Bush Key throughout the summer. In addition, the island provides habitat for a surprising year-round resident—a federallyprotected American crocodile, which can occasionally be found sunning itself. For years, this crocodile has called the East Pond of Bush Key home, and visitors are asked to maintain a respectful distance wherever it is encountered. Island in Flux Sooty Terns (top) and Brown Noddies (bottom) are present seasonally at Bush Key. The Dry Tortugas are a dynamic landscape. The actions of wind and water are a constant catalyst for change, and the islands respond to them dramatically. As evidence, the number of islands found here has varied over time between eleven and six. Hurricanes Katrina and Wilma passed near the islands of the Dry Tortugas in 2005, stripping Bush Key of much of its vegetation. The island remained closed to visitation during subsequent years, affording the establishment of the new growth that is visible today. Swarming masses of nesting birds that were once known to exist

Dry Tortugas National Park National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Dry Tortugas National Park Division of Cultural Resources Tortugas Harbor Light In 1876 the Tortugas harbor Light structure replaced the original 1825 lighthouse located on the parade ground of Fort Jefferson. The light was mainly used as a beacon, since the much stronger light on nearby Loggerhead Key more adequately guided ships around the treacherous reefs. The lighthouse stands 37 feet above the terreplein, or 82 feet from ground level. The iron sides form a hexagon built over the stairway of the southeastern bastion. An observation deck with railing circumvents the lighthouse about halfway up the tower. On the top, a windowed room gives an unhindered view of the fort and surrounding waters. Plans are underway to rehabilitate the deteriorating lighthouse. The first lighthouse on Garden Key, the second largest of several small sand islands that make up the Dry Tortugas, was lit on July 4, 1826. Though planning for a massive third system fortification to be built on Garden key had begun in 1827, the 65-foot tall, brick lighthouse’s only company for two decades was small light keeper’s house located adjacent to the tower. Appropriations for the fort were finally approved in 1844 and construction began two years later. The nearly half-mile perimeter walls rose slowly due to the logistical, technical, and financial challenges associated with the fort’s size and location. By 1861, what would later be called Fort Jefferson, encompassed most of Garden Key, and enclosed the existing lighthouse and keeper’s quarters within the parade ground. In 1857, construction of a new lighthouse began on Loggerhead Key, the largest island in the Dry Tortugas, located approximately two and half nautical miles west of Garden Key. The Loggerhead Key lighthouse was meant to resolve complaints against the Garden Key lighthouse’s navigational insufficiences; the Garden Key lighthouse was difficult to see in the haze that was common in the Gulf of Mexico and the building was not tall enough to warn far-off ships of the dangers of the reefs in the area. In September of 1875, a hurricane severely damaged the lighthouses on Garden Key and Loggerhead Key. Considering the Garden key Lighthouse’s navigational failings and the cost to repair the hurricane damage, plans were made to construct a new iron lighthouse on top of the fort, on what was then called Bastion C, rather than repair the existing brick lighthouse in the parade grounds. Five thousand dollars was allocated for the new lighthouse on March 3, 1875. The primary purpose of the new lighthouse was to serve as an aid to navigation for the island’s harbor traffic because the much taller First Order lighthouse on Loggerhead Key provided adequate navigational aid to ships traveling to and from the Gulf of Mexico. Drawings for the new lighthouse were sent to the Light House Board on January 10, 1876 and construction began the following month. It was completed on April 4 of the same year. The hexagonal tower of plate iron, with gallery and cylindrical parapet, was finished on the interior with wood. The light from the old lighthouse was moved to the new one on April 5, 1876 and the following year the old lighthouse on the parade grounds was demolished. According to Coast Guard records, the Tortugas Harbor Light was deactivated in 1921. The Dry Tortugas Light Station on Loggerhead Key became the primary navigational aid in the Dry Tortugas. In 1935, management of the Dry Tortugas was handed over to the National Park Service when Franklin D. Roosevelt declared the area a National Monument. Under NPS management the first repairs to the iron lighthouse began in 1939, consisting of cleaning, welding, and re-coating corroded sections of steel and the replacement of rotten wood elements on the interior. Over the next three decades various repairs were made to the lighthouse with the intent of stabilizing or strengthening the structure and maintaining the coatings. Since then, the structural integrity and the coating system of the lighthouse continues to © CREDIT CREDIT 2010 - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. History History continued... be affected from prolonged exposure to the sun and the salts present in the harsh marine environment of the Dry Tortugas. These issues have been accelerated by the installation of incompatible metals from previous repairs. The NPS has continued to monitor the lighthouse, assess conditions, and carry out minor treatments but it is now time for a complete Rehabilitation of the Tortugas Harbor Light. Condition Assessments In 2013-2014, Dry Tortugas National Park worked with a metals conservation partner, Tuckerbrook Conservation Inc. (Lincolnville, ME) with help from Resurgence Engineering (Portland, ME), to reproduce a Preliminary Structural Assessment of the Tortugas Harbor Light. The goal of the assessment was to deter-mine the overall stability of the Harbor Light and to develop

Dry Tortugas National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Dry Tortugas National Park Lighthouses of Garden Key Lighthouses serve as important navigational markers for mariners alerting them to areas of dangerous waters. Garden Key has been home to two different lighthouses. The first permanent structure in the Dry Tortugas was the 1826 lighthouse. This was later replaced with the harbor light which is perched atop of Fort Jefferson today. History of Lighthouses of the Dry Tortugas Given their location at the intersection of the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean where the swift Gulf Stream current flows through the Straits of Florida, the Dry Tortugas witnessed considerable shipping traffic. Westward expansion in the U.S. led to an increase in the transport of goods from the interior of the continent to the cities along the east coast. Stormy weather or a captain’s inexperience could result in ships veering off course and wrecking in the shallow reefs of the Keys. from the reefs. The light was simply not tall enough to adequately mark the hazards of the Dry Tortugas. After numerous wrecks and complaints from mariners, a new lighthouse was built on Loggerhead Key and lit on July 1, 1858. This reduced the lighthouse on Garden Key to a harbor light. In 1821, a survey was conducted for possible sites for lighthouses to alleviate the nautical risks within the Florida Keys. The first lighthouse in the Tortugas was located on Garden Key and was first lit on July 4, 1826. It was 70 feet above sea level and was fitted with 23 lamps and 14 inch reflectors. Almost immediately, mariners complained that the light was difficult to see in the hazy conditions of the gulf. Ships could also find themselves in dangerous waters before the light was visible because it was too far away Hurricane of 1873 and 1875 1826 Lighthouse on Garden Key The Dry Tortugas was hit by a very strong hurricane in 1873 that damaged many of the features of the fort including the wharves, bakery and brick oven on the parade ground. The 1826 lighthouse also took significant damage. Another hurricane struck the Tortugas in 1875, and the tower and lantern sustained major damage. It was determined that the lighthouse was becoming unsafe and an eyesore, so it was torn down in 1876. Plans were established for a new light to be built on top of the bastion 6 stair tower. 1826 Lighthouse Foundation Ruins Construction of the Dry Tortugas Harbor Light The new harbor light was designed much differently than the original lighthouse. A brick lighthouse can create dangerous brick fragments and shrapnel if it were to be hit by a cannon shell. The new hexagonal pyramid tower design incorporated boiler plate iron as the major construction material to help protect the personnel inside the fort from dangerous shrapnel. Construction began in 1876 and it is 82 feet tall from the base of the fort, however the harbor light itself is only 37 feet high. The lighthouse was first lit on April 5, 1876 incorporating a fourth-order Fresnel lens and daymark of dark brown. Lighthouse Keeper’s Residence 1876 Harbor Light Atop of Fort Jefferson The original keepers’s residence was a two story frame structure located just northeast of the sally port. Chief Engineer Totten issued a directive that the lighthouse property should be fenced when the Engineer Department began construction of Fort Jefferson in 1846, as it was not the property of the U.S. Army. wrap around porches was built slightly closer to the original lighthouse site. The hurricanes in 1873 and 1875 damaged the original keepers residence. Sometime around 1876, a new raised keeper’s quarters with Automation of the light tower occurred in the same year, with tanks of acetylene replacing the butts of kerosene to fuel the lights. In 1912, a devastating fire started in the outhouse of the keepers quarters and then spread to the house quickly engulfing it. No visible aspects of this building exist today. Post 1876 Lighthouse Keepers Residence with Wrap Around Porch Present Day Use Contact Information The Tortugas Harbor light was deactivated in 1921 as it was deemed unnecessary as an official aid to navigation. The harbor light is currently lit at night and it is powered by three 75 watt incandescent bulbs. Harbor light powered by modern incandescent bulbs Garden Key Harbor Light at Sunset Kelly Clark Cultural Resources Specialist Dry Tortugas National Park 33 East Quay Rd Key West, FL 33030 experience your america™ 

Dry Tortugas National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Dry Tortugas National Park Loggerhead Key Lighthouse The Loggerhead Key Light Station is significant for its role in facilitating America’s ocean-borne commerce and as a notable example of a civilian public works project undertaken by Army engineers prior to the Civil War. Since it was first lit in 1858, it has helped to alert mariners to the dangerous waters and shallow reefs of the Dry Tortugas. It also marks the western end of the Florida Reef. History of Lighthouses of the Dry Tortugas Given their location at the intersection of the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean where the swift Gulf Stream current flows through the Straits of Florida, the Dry Tortugas witnessed considerable shipping traffic. Westward expansion in the U.S. led to an increase in the transport of goods from the interior of the continent to the cities along the east coast. Stormy weather or a captain’s inexperience could result in ships veering off course and wrecking in the shallow reefs of the Keys. conditions of the gulf. Ships could also find themselves in dangerous waters before the light was visible because it was too far away from the reefs. The light was simply not tall enough to adequately mark the hazards of the Dry Tortugas. After numerous wrecks and complaints from mariners, a new lighthouse was proposed to be built on Loggerhead Key. In 1821, a survey was conducted for possible sites for lighthouses to alleviate the nautical risks within the Florida Keys. The first lighthouse in the Tortugas was located on Garden Key and was first lit on July 4, 1826. It was 70 feet above sea level and was fitted with 23 lamps and 14 inch reflectors. Almost immediately, mariners complained that the light was difficult to see in the hazy Construction of the Loggerhead Lighthouse The location for the lighthouse was selected and on August 18, 1856 when Congress appropriated $35,000 for its construction. Work on the tower began in 1857 and by 1858, the 150 foot tower was completed. This included the installation of a first-order Fresnel lens, the largest lens available. 1826 Lighthouse on Garden Key oil house, a two-story keepers dwelling, a separate two-story kitchen, two brick cisterns and several privies. The Fresnel lens was developed by physicist Augustin Fresnel, and resembles a large glass beehive surrounding a single lamp. This concentrated the light into one horizontal beam, producing a brighter signal light. Several other structures were also constructed on Loggerhead including a detached two-story First-Order Lantern With Fresnel Lens Life of a Lighthouse Keeper Benjamin Kerr was the first keeper assigned to the light station in 1858 with an annual salary of $600. He brought with him his wife and seven children and was assigned there until 1861 when he was replaced by James Lightbourn. The keepers duties included keeping all aspects of the light station clean and in good working order, lighting and maintaining the lamps, painting and all finishes both inside and out of all buildings, and maintaining clothing and accessories necessary to service and protect the light. was particularly isolated. There were 10 keepers assigned to the lighthouse between 1858 and 1912. A break in the monotony came for keepers when on occasion they would be invited to socialize with the families of the offers stationed at Fort Jefferson. The keepers would sometimes hold parties on Loggerhead Key, usually in conjunction with turtle turning expeditions. “Turtle turning” involved turning sea turtles on their backs, rendering them helpless and unable to escape. These parties were often accompanied by the sharing of food, music and dancing. As one might expect, life on Loggerhead Key Yellow Fever and Hurricanes A yellow fever outbreak in 1867 resulted in the Light Station falling into disrepair for several years. During the period between 1867 and 1871. Loggerhead Key was used as a quarantine station for military personnel, which strained resources and impeded maintenance of the buildings. A second outbreak of yellow fever occurred in September 1873, requiring all healthy soldiers on Garden Key to once again be relocated to Loggerhead Key. During the outbreak, thirty people were infected resulting in 12 deaths. The healthy were still on Loggerhead Key when the hurricane of 1873 hit the island. The hurricane struck the island on October 6, 1873. Although the track of the hurricane took the eye of the storm north of the Tortugas, it delivered a damaging blow to the Light Station. Present Day Use Throughout history the lighthouse has had upgrades keeping up with new technology. On September 1, 1931 the Loggerhead lighthouse became the most powerful light in the U.S. with 3 million candlepower from the newly installed electric light. In 1986, it was fitted with an automated 24 inch Directional Code Beacon which could be seen 24 miles away. The initial evaluation of the stor

Dry Tortugas National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Dry Tortugas National Park Life on Loggerhead Loggerhead Light The largest island in the Dry Tortugas, Loggerhead Key has seen many changes in its history. From a site of shipwrecks, to a world-class lighthouse installation, to a cutting-edge marine research laboratory, to a goal for Cuban refugees, Loggerhead Key is a part of the crossroads that are the Dry Tortugas. Loggerhead Lives Named for its abundance of loggerhead sea turtles, Loggerhead Key has long been a haven for wildlife. Migrating birds flock here on their way north, and coral fishes are abundant in the coral reefs just offshore. But sea turtles are perhaps the most abundant species on the island, with approximately 250 nests yielding 15,000 hatchlings each summer. The Dry Tortugas support the largest green and loggerhead sea turtle nesting grounds in the Florida Keys. Mariners were often attracted to the sea turtles on Loggerhead as a food source for their sea voyage, but they found the Tortugas to be a dangerous place. More than 250 shipwrecks have been documented in these waters. Upon acquisition of Florida from the Spanish in 1821, the US government was immediately interested in constructing a lighthouse in the Tortugas to protect mariners from the reefs. Construction of the first lighthouse in the Tortugas began on Garden Key in 1825. This lighthouse (later replaced by the iron light atop Fort Jefferson) proved to be too short, too dim, and too far away from other reefs. In 1856, construction began on a taller lighthouse on Loggerhead Key. 150 feet tall and topped with a 1st order Fresnel lens (replaced with a 2nd order bivalve lens in 1909), the new light was observed at a distance of 53 miles. The 2nd order lens is now on display at the National Aids to Navigation School in Yorktown, VA. While the lighthouse was under construction, a contractor finished construction of a house and kitchen (as seen in the 1870 image above). The main house burned in 1945, but the kitchen (the smaller brick house in the image above) still stands and is occupied by National Park Service volunteer caretakers. A "new" lighthouse keepers house to the north of the lighthouse was built for the keeper's family in the 1920s. Fort Jefferson on Garden Key was under construction at the same time as Loggerhead Light. This made for interesting times for the lighthouse keepers. One soldier stationed in Fort Jefferson recalled that to relieve boredom, "at times, a group of us would steal over to Loggerhead Key to have strong drink and shout at the stars." Loggerhead was also the destination for many escape attempts from Fort Jefferson's prison. One successful escapee paddled a makeshift raft to Loggerhead, then stole the keeper's boat and rowed to Cuba. Another desperate prisoner swam to the island on a piece of wood with a ball and chain attached to his ankle! Carnegie Laboratory Coast Guard Recent History The Dry Tortugas have long been recognized for their pristine ecosystem. The most significant scientific research in the Tortugas was conducted on Loggerhead Key in the Laboratory for Marine Ecology, operated by the Carnegie Institute. From 1905 to 1939, Carnegie Laboratory scientists studied the reefs and waters of the Tortugas. Among the Carnegie Laboratory’s significant scientific contributions include the first underwater black and white and color photography. Although the laboratory was destroyed by hurricanes over the years, a monument to the lab’s founder, Alfred Mayor, remains on the northern part of the island. The US Lighthouse Service maintained Loggerhead Light through World War II, when lighthouse duty was transferred to the US Coast Guard. Single lighthouse keepers stayed six weeks, followed by three weeks ashore. Their chief complaints were the lack of women, having to cook for each other, and the isolation, reporting "the first week here is glorious, the second is all right, but the third begins to drag." The light was fully automated in 1982 and all Coast Guard staff left the island. Long-time visitors to Loggerhead Key remember it being forested with Australian pines. The National Park Service removed the pines in the late 1990s as part of a plan to introduce native species onto the islands and provide better nesting habitat for the park's namesake sea turtles. The Park Service also removed the island's diesel generator and installed solar panels for electricity needs. The island is now totally self-sufficient on solar power. In recent years, the number of Cuban migrants to the Tortugas has skyrocketed. Under current United States policy, Cuban migrants seeking to escape Cuba must have one "dry foot" on American soil to stay in the country, claim certain benefits, and pursue citizenship. Many migrants seek to enter the country (illegally) on Loggerhead Key due to its isolation. A Crossroads The Dry Tortugas have long been a crossroads of natural and human influences. Sea

Junior Ranger National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Dry Tortugas National Park Dry Tortugas National Park Junior Ranger Program Welcome to the Park! Have you ever wondered where the name “Dry Tortugas” came from? Spanish Explorer Ponce de Leon discovered these islands in 1513 only 20 years after Christopher Columbus discovered the Americas. Ponce de Leon was so impressed with the abundant wildlife in the area, that he named these islands “Las Tortugas” (Spanish for “the turtles”). There were large sea turtles everywhere! Years later, “Dry” was added to the name to warn people that fresh drinking water was scarce on these islands. A Special Place Dry Tortugas National Park is a special for many reasons. The 100-square-mile park contains: • • • • • • A pristine subtropical ecosystem including the third largest coral reef in the world Historic Fort Jefferson - one of the largest coastal forts ever built Important populations of wildlife, including fish, sea turtles, birds, coral, lobsters, and many others Some of our countries greatest submerged cultural resources, including more than 300 historic shipwrecks An important resting spot for migrating birds Two historic lighthouses How to Become a Junior Ranger It’s simple and fun! As you explore the park, fill out this handbook. When you are finished, bring it to the Bookstore. Who Am I? Connect the dots to find out. 14 15 19 12 20 16 13 17 21 18 11 22 24 23 10 9 28 7 25 8 29 5 6 1 2 4 *Hint: 27 26 3 As an adult, I weigh 300-500 pounds. Scavenger Hunt Bingo Dry Tortugas National Park is home to many different plants, animals, and important historic artifacts. Circle each item below that you find. Find five items in a line (up, down, across, or diagonally) to score a BINGO! Coral Crab Bakery Frigate Bird Dr. Mudd’s Cell Conch Tree Seagrass Jellyfish Bush Key Shark Shot Furnace Cannon Barracks Musket Barracuda Chapel Gull Snapper Sea Star Anemone Gunpowder Magazine Busy Crossroads The Dry Tortugas are located at a busy crossroads. Like an underwater highway, the Gulf Stream carries warm water, ships, and marine life by the Tortugas. • New York North America New Orleans Bahamas Dry Tortugas Cuba Yucatan Mark the Gulf Stream on your map by drawing a line from the Yucatan (in Mexico) to the Bahamas Large ships pass the Tortugas everyday. • Draw the shipping lanes from New York to the southern tip of Florida. Next, connect the southern tip of Florida with New Orleans The Tortugas are a welcome sight for migrating birds. • Connect North America with winter nesting areas in South America • South America Is YOUR home on this map? Letter Home Imagine yourself stationed at Fort Jefferson in 1864... How would you describe life at the Fort? November 1, 1864 Dear Family: I am working in the bakery at Fort Jefferson. A prisoner recently complained that our bread is a mixture of ____________ , ___________ , ___________ and ___________ . There are nearly 2,000 people living on this remote island. Importing enough fresh fruit and vegetables for so many people is very difficult. Many of us have painful bleeding gums caused by _______________. Getting enough drinking water is another serious problem. The fort has _________ cisterns that can hold ________________ gallons of water. Unfortunately many of these cisterns ________ allowing sea water to __________ in. Most of our drinking water is now ruined. The fort is surrounded by beautiful water and coral reefs. Fishing and swimming are our favorite hobbies. Coral is made of tiny living animals called polyps. We are very careful not to touch or stand on coral because it is very ________________ . Signed, Dry Tortugas National Park Junior Ranger Pledge: (your name) As a Junior Ranger, I ____________, promise to help protect Dry Tortugas National Park, my community, and the Earth by being an active and responsible steward of the environment. P Junior Ranger Signature AM T S Park Ranger Signature Cut along the dotted line to remove your certificate from the book. Dry Tortugas National Park Biscayne National Park Everglades National Park Big Cypress National Preserve 

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Dry Tortugas National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Dry Tortugas National Park Bird Key Wreck The Bird Key Wreck, also known as the Brick Wreck, is located in shallow, 4-6 feet deep waters on Bird Key Bank. Be cautious: strong currents sometimes sweep across Bird Key Bank. Dive flags are required for snorkeling or diving. To find the wreck, consult the map on the opposite side. Wreck History There is no specific information on the circumstances surrounding the wreck. All that is known is that the grounding and loss occurred sometime between 1857, the first date that the firebricks found on the wreck were manufactured, and 1861, the last date that the yellow construction bricks were produced for the Federal government. The wreck could be the Scottish Chief, a steamer 126 feet long and built in 1855 in Wilmington, North Carolina. The Scottish Chief was operated by the Tift brothers of Key West, who supplied bricks to Fort Jefferson during this period. The ship was driven onto Bird Key Bank with the engine running, whether by accident or intentionally. The bow struck the bank and "accordioned," breaking the ship into two separate pieces. After settling onto the bank, the ship was salvaged, with removal of the engine and most of the ship's machinery. Further scattering of materials resulted from storms and hurricanes. Remains indicate that it was a screw-driven, narrow-beamed, shallow-draft, flat-bottom steamboat of composite construction. She had a wrought iron frame with iron hull plates along the bottom and partway up the sides, and an exterior covering of wood. The flames flared outward on each side near the tops to support a broad main deck. It was intended for use in shallow and relatively sheltered waters, not the open ocean. The presence of outer hull sheathing of Muntz metal, a copper-zinc alloy, points to a mid-nineteenth century date of origin for the ship. The wreck could be the oldest screw-powered vessel in National Park Service waters. The vessel had a large, six-foot, four-bladed wrought iron propeller with flared blade tips. The paddle-like configuration of the propeller and need for external strapping over the ship's deadwood reveals flaws in the ship's design and points to a mismatch between the heavily built propeller shaft and the lightly constructed lower hull. There were at least two types of brick found on the wreck. Unmarked yellow bricks matching those used in the construction of the major parts of Fort Jefferson were found, along with refractory bricks used to line the ship's firebox. The refractory bricks are dated and have "Evens, Howard St. Louis" markings, indicating that the ship could not have sunk before 1857. Getting There Location: Lat 24 37.228' Lon 082 53.071' Starting from the green BK 5 marker on the western edge of Bird Key Harbor, cross the harbor on a line with Loggerhead Light. When the water shallows on the harbor's western edge, turn left (south) for approximately one hundred feet. The wreck is oriented toward Loggerhead Key, so look for the propeller, which is usually easy to spot in morning or midday light. Exploring the Site The Brick Wreck is one of many wreck sites within Dry Tortugas National Park. These islands, shoals, and reefs have been the scene of nearly 300 shipwrecks. The proximity of these reefs to the nearby shipping lanes of the Gulf of Mexico has made them a natural “ship trap.” The wreckage and its associated coral are fragile. Please do not touch! If you choose to drop anchor, pick a location that is a safe distance from the wreck site. Make sure that you anchor on a sandy bottom that is free of coral. Please remember that all shipwrecks, artifacts, and coral are protected within the park. Take only pictures and memories from the site. You are the key to preserving this and other important sites. Only with your help will future generations be able to enjoy the park’s rich maritime heritage. E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A 11/07 - 2M 

Dry Tortugas National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Dry Tortugas National Park P.O. Box 6208 Key West, FL 33041 Windjammer Wreck In the dark, early morning hours of January 21, 1907, heavy winter wind and waves buffeted the Avanti. A navigational error while attempting to pass around the Dry Tortugas contributed to the crew’s misfortune. At 6:44 a.m., thirty-two years to the day after it was launched, the Avanti struck the Loggerhead Reef. Its iron hull, nearly as long as a football field, scraped along the jagged coral reef with a sickening sound. Howling winds muffled the cries of the 19-man crew as they frantically tried to save their dying vessel. Losing the port anchor in an attempt to slow the ship’s movement, the crew became desperate. Unsure of the holding power of the windlass, the anchor cable was brought out of the forecastle and wrapped around the starboard bits. Taking on water and inching deeper into the rumbling seas, the remaining anchor was dropped to prevent the vessel from slipping off into deeper water and sinking. Heavily damaged and stranded, the ship eventually broke apart. Though the crew was saved and much of the cargo later salvaged, the Avanti was a complete loss. Today the wreck offers divers and snorkelers a haunting glimpse of a once-proud sailing ship. The Avanti is also the most complete wreck site in the park, and provides a breathtaking backdrop for a wide variety of colorful reef fish, coral, and marine life. Window to the past Greyhound of the Seas The Windjammer Wreck, located less than a mile southwest of Loggerhead Key, has gone by several names over its long history. Its association with the famous class of sailing vessels known as windjammers has led to its more popular, though less accurate name. The Norwegian ship was officially known as Avanti when it sank in 1907. significant new possibilities. Iron hulls could be built much larger and cheaper, had greater capacity than wooden vessels of the same dimensions, and were far more durable. Importantly, the use of iron contributed to higher profits, a crucial factor in the highly competitive shipping industry of the late nineteenth century. The Avanti is an important example of large sailing vessels built relatively late in the age of sail. It combined smooth, traditional architectural lines with newer, more durable building materials. The development of iron hulls in the mid-1850s offered ship designers Even these structural breakthroughs could not postpone the inevitable. With the birth of steam propulsion, the age of sail was rapidly coming to a close. Large sailing vessels like the Avanti were some of the last tall ships built during the romantic age of sail. Built in 1875 in Liverpool, England, the threemasted vessel was originally named Killean. Large for its day, the Killean had a length of 261.4 feet, a beam of 39.3 feet, and a draft of 17.5 feet. The Killean had a gross tonnage of 1,862 tons. In its prime the vessel combined impressive size and speed to compete with rival shipping companies carrying cargoes to worldwide markets. Exploring the Site The Killean was sold in 1894 to the French shipping company A.D. Bordes and Fils. Renamed Antonin, it became part of a large fleet of ships used in the shipment of nitrate fertilizers from Chile to European farmers. After seven years the Antonin was sold for a final time. The new owners, Acties Avanti of Norway, renamed the vessel Avanti. The aging Avanti was used in its final years as a tramp carrier seeking cargoes wherever available. While in Pensacola the vessel was damaged and stranded during the October 1906 hurricane. On January 9, Avanti departed Pensacola bound for Uruguay carrying a load of lumber. It would prove to be Avanti’s final voyage. The Avanti is one of many wreck sites within Dry Tortugas National Park. These islands, shoals, and reefs have been the scene of nearly 300 shipwrecks. The proximity of these reefs to The wreckage and its associated coral are fragile. Please do not touch! A mooring buoy is provided for anchoring. If you choose to drop anchor, pick a location that is a safe distance the nearby shipping lanes of the Gulf of Mexico has made them a natural “ship trap.” from the wreck site. Make sure that you anchor on a sandy bottom that is free of coral. Fishing is prohibited at the Windjammer Wreck site, as it is within the Research Natural Area. The wreck site lies in approximately 18-21 feet of water. The site is in two main wreckage fields. The bow portion, approximately 110 feet in length, lies in a generally east-west direction. It includes the bow, midships, and foremast. The second field, also roughly 110 feet in length, lies in a generally north-south direction. This second field is composed of midships, stern, mizzen, and main mast structures. E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A™ Please remember that all shipwrecks, artifacts, and coral are protected within the park. You are the key to p

Dry Tortugas National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Dry Tortugas National Park Conserving and Remounting Fort Jefferson’s Cannon Fort Jefferson was armed with many different types of cannons throughout its history. Some of the largest were the Parrot and Rodman Cannons. Parrott rifled cannon weigh 26,780 lbs and were designed to fire 300 lb projectiles a range of over 5 miles. The 15-inch Rodman weighs over 50,000 lbs and could fire a 440-pound shell over 3 1/2 miles. Parrott History The term “Parrott gun” refers to a series of American Civil War-era rifled cannon designed by Captain Robert P. Parrott (18041877). Parrott resigned from the US Army in 1836, becoming superintendent of the West Point Iron and Cannon Foundry in Cold Spring, New York. In 1860 he invented the Parrott rifled gun, which was manufactured with a combination of cast and wrought iron. The cast iron made for an accurate gun, but was brittle enough to suffer fractures. Hence, a large wrought iron reinforcing band was overlaid on the breech to give it additional strength. There were prior cannons designed this way, but the method of securing this band was the innovation that allowed the Parrott to overcome the deficiencies of these earlier models. The band was Rodman History The term “Rodman gun” refers to a series of American Civil War-era columbiads designed by Union artilleryman Thomas Jackson Rodman. These smoothbore guns were designed to fire both shot and shell. These heavy guns were intended to be mounted in seacoast fortifications. They were built in 8-inch, 10-inch, 13-inch, 15-inch, and 20-inch bore. Other than size, the guns were all nearly identical in design, with a curving soda bottle shape and a large flat back with ratchets or sockets for the elevating mechanism. Rodman guns differed from all previous artillery because they were hollow cast, a new technology that Rodman developed which resulted in cast iron guns that were much stronger than their predecessors. The 15-inch model of the Rodman gun was manufactured between 1861 and 1871. Three hundred and twenty-three Rodmans of this size were produced by Cyrus Alger & Company, the Scott applied to the gun red-hot and then the gun was turned while pouring water down the muzzle, allowing the band to attach uniformly. These rifled guns were designed to fire projectiles and were manufactured in a large range of sizes, from smaller 10-pounder field artillery up to the rare 300-pounder guns. The larger, heavier guns were intended to be mounted in seacoast fortifications and for use on naval ships. Although accurate, cheaper and easier to make, the Parrott guns had a poor reputation for safety. It was the big 300-pounder Parrott, however, which was brought to bear against the fortified walls of Fort Sumter. The 300-pounder Parrott was also used against Fort Pulaski, in an assault which ultimately breeched that fort’s walls. Foundry, and the Fort Pitt Foundry. There are 25 known survivors; the six at Fort Jefferson represent almost ¼ of the surviving examples. In addition, cast in 1871, the Fort Jefferson cannon were some of the last Rodmans to be produced. The first mention of 15-inch Rodmans for Fort Jefferson occurs in 1862. The Armament Board decided to substitute 15-inch Rodman for the 10-inch columbiads scheduled to be mounted on top of the bastions. Plans were made to install the Rodman cannon at Fort Jefferson in 1872, when increased international tensions led to a program to quickly modernize the weaponry at Fort Jefferson. Problems with timber for the carriage platforms and other issues meant that the Rodman guns were not mounted at Fort Jefferson until 1873. The six 15-inch guns were mounted on iron, center-pintle carriages, one at each of the fort’s six bastions. Sale of Cannons for Scrap In 1900, the Ordnance Department auctioned ordnance stores from Fort Jefferson. The sale price was $14,054.20 and included ninety 10-inch Rodman cannon, over 19,000 cannon shot, shells, carriages The 10 big guns remained at Fort Jefferson probably because they were difficult to move and quite literally more trouble than they were worth. Conservation Efforts The first stage of treatment was to remove delaminating and heavy oxidation using handheld hammers and pneumatic chisels, then all surfaces were then blasted with media to bring the cannon back to white metal. The cleaned surfaces were then primed immediately after blasting with a zinc rich epoxy primer. military manuals, both of which suggest that the historic lacquer applied to the guns would have left a shiny appearance. A glossy black silaxine paint was chosen as a top coat based on historic photographs and Raising and Remounting the Cannon The bore was cleaned and then treated with a corrosion inhibitor. Then it was filled with bags of silica gel, a desiccant, and then sealed with a pair of deckplates to create a microclimate, reducing the chances of corrosion. Parrott Rifle Pretreatment Parrot

Dry Tortugas National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Dry Tortugas National Park P.O. Box 6208 Key West, FL 33041 Preserving Fort Jefferson Preserving Fort Jefferson provides a unique challenge to National Park Service employees and contractors. The remote marine environment, the logistical difficulties, and the size of the fort conspire to make restoring the fort seem daunting. However, highly skilled contractors are now hard at work to insure that Fort Jefferson will be preserved for future generations. Protection and Problems Fort Jefferson was intended to hold 450 cannons and 1,500 men. The latest technologies were incorporated into its design to protect the soldiers here. Specialized iron shutters used to protect the cannon openings were one of the many technological advances used here. These hinged, wrought-iron shutters were placed between the mortar core of the fort and the brick façade. A great achievement for their day, they were first introduced into American forts in 1857. These shutters were known as “Totten shutters,” after the coastal fort designer, General Joseph Totten. During use, the shutters were unlocked from the bronze strike plate below. Upon firing the cannon, gases escaping from the muzzle the moment before the egress of the shot would momentarily throw the shutters open. The shutters were carefully balanced so that they would swing freely and ‘rebound’ into the closed position. Unfortunately, the very metal that provided valuable protection to soldiers under fire proved devastating to the fort itself. In a salt-water environment, the wraught-iron quickly began to rust and expand. As the iron rusted, it pushed the brick apart, causing serious structural damage to Fort Jefferson’s walls. A walk around the moat shows where large sections of the fort walls have collapsed into the moat. This is largely caused by the rusting shutter system. The founding legislation of Dry Tortugas National Park mandates the National Park Service to “protect, stabilize, restore, and interpret Fort Jefferson, an outstanding example of nineteenth century masonry fortification” for future generations. Without undertaking serious action to stop further degradation, it became obvious to National Park Service personnel that the walls of Fort Jefferson were in serious trouble. Original Bronze Strike Plate Preservation Solutions Dry Tortugas National Park has initiated a multiphased, multi-year preservation project to stabilize Fort Jefferson. The scope of this project is to carefully remove the existing brick surrounding the embrasure (cannon) openings on the lower level in order to gain access to the original iron elements. When possible,original bricks will be cleaned and set aside for reuse. Next, crews will remove all of the rusted iron elements from the original Totten shutters and stabilize the exterior walls of Fort Jefferson by rebuilding the scarp (fort) wall. Concrete made of local sand and coral - just as used in the original construction - historic bricks salvaged during demolition and new replacement bricks are being used to preserve the historic appearance of the walls. In addition, the parapet and upper tier embrasure openings will be stabilized through selective brick replacements and repointing of the mortar joints. The last step is to restore the Totten shutters “in kind” per the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. A good example of the “finished product” can be seen on a walk about halfway around the moat, where the wall has been restored and the replica Totten shutters have been installed. The current phase of the project is concentrated on stabilizing seven embrasures located on Front 3 and has a target completion date of July, 2014. In 2013, a contract for this work was awarded to Stone and Lime Imports, of Brookfield, MA. The demolition and stabilization work you are witnessing today is being carried out by skilled masons from Stone and Lime Imports, Inc. Pre-Treatment Working and Living at Fort Jefferson Housed within the walls of Fort Jefferson, the masonry crew of ten to twelve workers per shift more than doubles the current population of full-time NPS employee residents. Masons are on site three weeks and then are off island for a week. While not on the island, contractors will most likely return to their families and friends at home in the Northeast. Post-Treatment else the preservationists like to relax when the day is over by snorkeling, fishing, kayaking, reading, or even watching TV. Masons are working full days from early in the morning until the evening. One added amenity that Stone and Lime Inc. has budgeted into their time here is a chef. The chef lives with the crew members and prepares three meals a day as well as snacks and refreshments. Additionally, the chef maintains the quarters in a clean and orderly way, so the masons can focus on their jobs and not have to spend their down time doing other work.

Dry Tortugas National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Dry Tortugas National Park P.O. Box 6208 Key West, FL 33041 Preserving Fort Jefferson Preserving Fort Jefferson provides a unique challenge to National Park Service employees and contractors. The remote marine environment, the logistical difficulties, and the size of the fort conspire to make restoring the fort seem daunting. However, highly skilled contractors are now hard at work to insure that Fort Jefferson will be preserved for future generations. Protection and Problems Fort Jefferson was intended to hold 450 cannons and 1,500 men. The latest technologies were incorporated into its design to protect the soldiers here. Specialized iron shutters used to protect the cannon openings were one of the many technological advances used here. These hinged, wrought-iron shutters were placed between the mortar core of the fort and the brick façade. A great achievement for their day, they were first introduced into American forts in 1857. These shutters were known as “Totten shutters,” after the coastal fort designer, General Joseph Totten. During use, the shutters were unlocked from the bronze strike plate below. Upon firing the cannon, gases escaping from the muzzle the moment before the egress of the shot would momentarily throw the shutters open. The shutters were carefully balanced so that they would swing freely and ‘rebound’ into the closed position. Unfortunately, the very metal that provided valuable protection to soldiers under fire proved devastating to the fort itself. In a salt-water environment, the wraught-iron quickly began to rust and expand. As the iron rusted, it pushed the brick apart, causing serious structural damage to Fort Jefferson’s walls. A walk around the moat shows where large sections of the fort walls have collapsed into the moat. This is largely caused by the rusting shutter system. The founding legislation of Dry Tortugas National Park mandates the National Park Service to “protect, stabilize, restore, and interpret Fort Jefferson, an outstanding example of nineteenth century masonry fortification” for future generations. Without undertaking serious action to stop further degradation, it became obvious to National Park Service personnel that the walls of Fort Jefferson were in serious trouble. Original Bronze Strike Plate Preservation Solutions Dry Tortugas National Park has initiated a multiphased, multi-year preservation project to stabilize Fort Jefferson. The scope of this project is to carefully remove the existing brick surrounding the embrasure (cannon) openings on the lower level in order to gain access to the original iron elements. When possible,original bricks will be cleaned and set aside for reuse. Next, crews will remove all of the rusted iron elements from the original Totten shutters and stabilize the exterior walls of Fort Jefferson by rebuilding the scarp (fort) wall. Concrete made of local sand and coral - just as used in the original construction - historic bricks salvaged during demolition and new replacement bricks are being used to preserve the historic appearance of the walls. In addition, the parapet and upper tier embrasure openings will be stabilized through selective brick replacements and repointing of the mortar joints. The last step is to restore the Totten shutters “in kind” per the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. A good example of the “finished product” can be seen on a walk about halfway around the moat, where the wall has been restored and the replica Totten shutters have been installed. The current phase of the project is concentrated on stabilizing seven embrasures located on Front 3 and has a target completion date of July, 2014. In 2013, a contract for this work was awarded to Stone and Lime Imports, of Brookfield, MA. The demolition and stabilization work you are witnessing today is being carried out by skilled masons from Stone and Lime Imports, Inc. Pre-Treatment Working and Living at Fort Jefferson Housed within the walls of Fort Jefferson, the masonry crew of ten to twelve workers per shift more than doubles the current population of full-time NPS employee residents. Masons are on site three weeks and then are off island for a week. While not on the island, contractors will most likely return to their families and friends at home in the Northeast. Post-Treatment else the preservationists like to relax when the day is over by snorkeling, fishing, kayaking, reading, or even watching TV. Masons are working full days from early in the morning until the evening. One added amenity that Stone and Lime Inc. has budgeted into their time here is a chef. The chef lives with the crew members and prepares three meals a day as well as snacks and refreshments. Additionally, the chef maintains the quarters in a clean and orderly way, so the masons can focus on their jobs and not have to spend their down time doing other work.

Dry Tortugas National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Dry Tortugas National Park P.O. Box 6208 Key West, FL 33041 Totten Shutters Construction of Fort Jefferson began in 1846 and continued through the Civil War until the 1870’s. Fort Jefferson is part of the Third System of seacoast fortifications defined by systematic and refined casemate details. One of the most important features of Fort Jefferson is the original iron Totten Shutters; a uniquely designed and highly engineered defense feature. Ultimately the Totten Shutter became the first time that armor became a standard element of harbor defenses as a result of extensive experimentation and exhaustive study by one man; Joseph G. Totten Joseph G. Totten and the Totten Shutters Joseph G. Totten was born in New Haven, CT in 1788 and lived until 1864. Joseph Totten attended the United States Military Academy and then joined the Corps of Engineers in 1805. Although the nation had been constructing fortifications for most of its history it wasn’t until 1816 that a group of engineers were organized to direct and standardize the locations, design, and construction of defensive fortifications. Brevet Lieutenant Colonel Joseph G. Totten became one of these engineers on what was referred to as the Bernard Board, named after Simon Bernard, a French military engineer that served under Napoleon. In 1838 Totten became the Army’s Chief Engineer, a position he held until his death in 1864. As Chief Engineer most of Totten’s career was spent studying the use of lime mortars and natural cement as well as experimenting with ways to improve the defense of and stability of the gun casemates of the third system forts. Ultimately his experiments decreased the size of the openings General Joseph G. Totten; August 23, 1788 – April 22, 1864 Project History and simultaneously allowed the guns to swivel on a 60 degree angle laterally providing an optimal firing range. Additionally, he developed a shutter system that instantly opened upon firing of a projectile and then immediately slammed shut which protected the guns and personnel from return fire while they prepared the next round of ammunition. This incredible engineering innovation is referred to as the Totten Shutter. The basic elements that make up a Totten Shutter assembly consist of exterior and interior elements and the swinging doors. On the exterior face of the scarp wall an iron breast plate frames the opening, while a header, sill, and side jambs frame the exterior side of the smaller opening. It is here that the two shutter doors are hinged to fly open when a projectile is fired and then shut immediately. Finally, armor blocks line the interior throat of the opening. Look for the original Totten Shutter elements around the lower tier embrasure openings as you move around Fort Jefferson and see if you can identify the original elements. As part of the Dry Tortugas National Park enabling legislation it is our duty to protect, stabilize, restore, and interpret Fort Jefferson, an outstanding example of 19th Century masonry fortification. All treatment is done within The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. Due to the extreme marine environment at the Dry Tortugas the original iron Totten Shutters have severely rusted and expanded which in turn has created severe delamination of the brick from the scarp wall and loss of original historic material. Dry Tortugas National Park has initiated a multi-phased, multi-year preservation project to stabilize Fort Jefferson. The scope of this project is to remove all of the rusted iron elements of the original Totten Shutter assemblies and stabilize the exterior walls of Fort Jefferson. This is completed by rebuilding the embrasures with replicated shutter components made from cast Portland cement and lime and combining original salvaged historic brick and new brick to rebuild sections of collapsed masonry and repointing joints with American Natural Cement. Work in Progress Currently the work you see being done today is a continuation of the on-going stabilization project. The original iron work is being completely removed from embrasures on Front 3 and the exterior scarp wall is being stabilized with new mortar made of the same materials used in the 1800’s . Additionally, the embrasure openings on the first level are being reconstructed and the parapet and 2nd tier openings are being stabilized with selective brick replacement and repointing. Original iron Totten Shutter assembly embedded within the scarp wall On site today you will witness tradesman installing new replicated Totten Shutter pieces such as the armor blocks, headers and sills. They are also repointing unreconstructed sections of the scarp wall. This work has already been completed on various fronts since the 1990’s to various degrees. Look for older phases of work and see if you can identify rebuilt sections of the scarp compared to the original

Dry Tortugas National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Dry Tortugas National Park The Underground Railroad at Fort Jefferson Shortly after midnight on July 10, 1847, seven enslaved African Americans fled Garden Key. Over the lengthy construction of Fort Jefferson, large numbers of enslaved workers were employed by the Army. The conditions were harsh, and the hopes of escape virtually nonexistent. Freedom seekers faced incredible odds. Surrounded by miles of open sea and treacherous reefs, perhaps no area in North America presented greater challenges to selfemancipation. Undaunted by these long odds, seven men set out to do the impossible. Underground Railroad Network to Freedom The National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Program recognizes important efforts of enslaved African Americans to gain their freedom by escaping bondage. The Network to Freedom Program celebrates the heroism of freedom seekers, and acknowledges the people of all races who risked everything to make these dreams come true. Together, they endured the unendurable; together, they helped to change the future. The courageous efforts of the seven men who fled from bondage at Fort Jefferson were honored by the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Program. Their attempt offers proof that wherever slavery existed, even at the most remote military outposts, the thirst for freedom could not be quenched. Because of this dramatic 1847 self-emancipation attempt, Fort Jefferson is a proud member of the program. Fort Construction Built to protect the strategic Tortugas Anchorage, Fort Jefferson was a vital link in a chain of coastal forts that stretched from Maine to California. One of the largest coastal forts ever built, Fort Jefferson also ranked as one of the most remote. Its builders faced numerous hardships, including storms, shifting sands, and disease. The remote location often hampered the shipment of supplies and workers. they offloaded arriving ships. Ultimately, 16 million bricks were used in the fort’s construction. Perhaps their most arduous task was collecting and transporting large quantities of coral rock from nearby islands. This coral material served as the main ingredient in forming coral concrete, a vital component in the fort’s construction. Several of the enslaved men were permitted to bring their wives with them. These women often served as cooks and laundresses. Enslaved African Americans played a key role in the construction of Fort Jefferson. Typically 20% of the workforce was comprised of African Americans, hired from owners in Key West. Owners were normally paid $20 per month per slave, with the Federal government agreeing to provide food, shelter and medical attention for the slave workforce. One of these owners was Stephen Mallory, a U.S. Senator and future Confederate Secretary of the Navy. Enslaved African Americans were responsible for some of the most difficult tasks at Fort Jefferson. They labored ten hours a day, six days a week. Using little more than wheelbarrows More than a dozen Federal fortifications along the Gulf Coast and South Atlantic employed slave labor. An estimated 687 enslaved laborers were employed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on these projects. Florida slave owners were assured that they would be given preference for the Fort Jefferson project. Anticipating profitable contracts with the government, local owners rushed to purchase additional enslaved workers. The work force at the fort reached its highest point in December 1857, with a total of 299 workers, including 58 enslaved peoples. The Escape Early on July 10, 1847, under the cover of darkness, seven freedom seekers named Jerry, Jack, John, George, Ephraim, Howard and Robert fled Garden Key. They took with them every vessel that could float, a brilliant move that greatly reduced the risk of being pursued and captured. Without being detected the seven men removed the schooners Union, Virginia, and Activa, and a small boat belonging to the Garden Key lighthouse keeper. smashing their hulls. Their escape went completely undetected until daylight when the boats and enslaved workers were reported missing. Minutes later the Union was spotted from the Garden Key Lighthouse. By 7:00 AM, the freedom seekers had traveled fifteen miles, and were spotted three miles west of Loggerhead Key heading south. Garden Key Lighthouse, c.1867 (NPS, DRTO 300889) Soon after fleeing Garden Key and entering the Loggerhead Channel, they disabled and abandoned the Virginia, the Activa, and the lighthouse keeper’s boat by cutting and The Pursuit The Capture Freedom at Last With Lieutenant H.G. Wright away on business in Key West, Dr. Daniel W. Whitehurst, his second in command, organized the pursuit. Because of the freedom seekers’ thoroughness, only one old condemned vessel, the Victor, remained near the island. Work on refastening and caulking the Victor began immediately, and within two hours the vessel was rep

National Parks of South Florida National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Biscayne, Dry Tortugas and Everglades National Parks Big Cypress National Preserve Trip Planner The official guide for planning your trip to National Park areas in South Florida. Photo Courtesy of Ralph Arwood Photo Courtesy of Don Richards Big Cypress Biscayne Dry Tortugas Planning a Trip? A visit to South Florida’s national parks and preserves can be an experience you won’t soon forget. Biscayne, Dry Tortugas, and Everglades National Parks, and Big Cypress National Preserve offer opportunities ranging from snorkeling to wildlife photography to camping on a backcountry chickee. Planning ahead is the best way to take advantage of these opportunities, and choosing what time of year to visit, based on your interests, can be the key to an enjoyable trip. Rainy Season Dry Season During the rainy season warmer, clear ocean waters make snorkeling in Biscayne and Dry Tortugas the perfect way to explore these parks. Boating and canoeing in open waters helps to avoid mosquitoes. Boat tours out of Biscayne National Park and the Gulf Coast and Flamingo areas of Everglades National Park are another way to stay cool. While some birds are drawn to the parks year round, the abundance of migrating and wintering birds makes South Florida’s National Parks a birder’s paradise during the dry season. Falling water levels within the Everglades and Big Cypress areas result in abundant wildlife concentrated in ponds and canals, providing excellent viewing opportunities. Seasonal rains bring higher water levels within Everglades and Big Cypress, causing wildlife such as alligators and wading birds to disperse and to be seen less frequently. Mosquito levels may become high, and exploring trails in some areas of the parks can become intolerable. While visiting during this season you may find daily afternoon thunderstorms, high humidity, temperatures in the mid- to hi-80s and a multitude of mosquitoes. During this time of year you will also find an array of blooming plants, views of towering storm clouds and opportunities to experience the parks with fewer visitors. Remember, during the rainy season mosquitoes may be unbearable in some areas. The dry season is the busy season in South Florida’s national parks. Most visitors to Big Cypress, Biscayne, and the Everglades come between December and March. March through May are busy months at Dry Tortugas National Park. During months of higher visitation lodging reservations are recommended and campgrounds may be busy. Larger crowds, fewer mosquitoes, greater wildlife viewing opportunities and more enjoyable hiking, camping and canoeing adventures in all the parks characterize this time of year. Finally, the parks offer a greater variety and number of ranger-led activities that provide an in-depth look into the special natural and cultural resources protected within them. Everglades Printed Winter 2007 – 08 Mont Avera Minim ge Avera Temp um ge M eratu re Te aximum mper ature h Nove m throu ber gh Ap ril May t h Octob rough er 66°F/1 9 °C 76°F/2 4°C Annu al 71°F/2 2°C Dry S Humid ity Avera Mont ge h Rainf ly all eason 76°F/2 4°C Rainy 85°F/2 9°C 81°F/2 7°C 57% Seaso 2.17” /5.5cm n 64% 5.39” /13.3c m 45.44 ”/115 .4 cm What’s Inside? Planning Your Trip . . . 2 Everglades National Park . . . 6 Park Activities . . . 2 Dry Tortugas National Park . . . 7 Safety in the Parks . . . 3 Mail Order Publications . . . 7 Big Cypress National Preserve . . . 4 Parks Map . . . Back Cover Biscayne National Park . . . 5 National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Everglades National Park 40001 State Road 9336 Homestead, Florida 33034 National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Planning your trip Frequently Asked Questions The National Park Service, an agency of the Department of the Interior, was established in 1916 to manage a growing system of national parks. Today, the National Park System consists of over 390 units. National Parks, National Preserves, Seashores, Monuments, Historic Sites, Lakeshores, Battlefields, and others make up a great repository of national treasures entrusted to the National Park Service. In South Florida, nearly 2.5 million acres of pineland, prairie, tropical hardwoods, mangrove forests, estuaries and coral reefs are preserved for this and future generations. Their scientific, recreational, aesthetic and educational values are limitless. Experience Your America National Parks of South Florida Trip Planner is published as a service to park visitors through a generous donation by the Everglades Association. Are there entrance fees? No entrance fees are charged at Big Cypress National Preserve or Biscayne National Park. For cars, vans, and motorhomes, Everglades National Park charges a $10.00 fee at the Homestead and Shark Valley Entrances. Fees vary for buses (call 305-242-7700 for details). Bicyclists and people on foot pay $