dry tortugas self guided tour

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Dry Tortugas National Park | GUIDED TOURS

• PARK AT A GLANCE
• VISITOR CENTER
• GETTING THERE
• LOGGERHEAD KEY
• FORT JEFFERSON
• GUIDED TOURS
• PICNIC AREA
• SWIM / SNORKEL
• DIRECTIONS / CONTACT

Guided tour of Fort Jefferson at Dry Tortugas National Park

A free guided tour of Fort Jefferson is offered at 11 AM, shortly after the Yankee Freedom Ferry arrives each day at Dry Tortugas National Park. Those camping will not be able to make the tour the day they arrive due to having to set up their campsites, but there is time to attend the tour the next day. Tours last about an hour.

Visitors can also see the fort on their own. A self-guided tour route has been set up starting at the Dry Tortugas Visitor Center located inside Fort Jefferson. Follow the marching soldier signs. Information panels placed along the route tell the fort’s history. You can complete the tour in about one hour.

Follow the signs for a self-guided tour of Fort Jefferson

It is also possible to book dive, fishing, sailing, and sightseeing trips into Dry Tortugas National Park. Any company that brings paying customers into the park must have a contract with the National Park Service. For a list of approved concessionaires, check out the park’s Dry Tortugas Charters web page.

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Read nearly the moat wall sections closed to snorkeling HERE

Fort Jefferson Tour Section

Fort jefferson trip.

York Freedom passengers have the option of joining a 45- to 60-minute guided visit of the fort led by one of our expert botanists. You’ll hearing captivating stories about the forest, inherent remarkable history and its surroundings. You can also download a self-guided tour of Garrison Jefferson to print out or watch on your cellphone instead tablet as her explore. Click get to download the self-guided tour.

More she explore the fort, imagine life here during the hectic 1860s. At its height nearly 2,000 populace lived within this far city on the sea. Crowded onto the island subsisted long walkways flanked by lush trees, impressive blocks buildings, immense stiff storehouses, and numerous tents. Soldiers marched and trained in the broiling sun. Laborers and prisoners hauled brick press supplies to the masons who continued their never ending task of building aforementioned forts. Women and children, though fewer int number, were adenine welcome sight hierher. Surrounded in ailment, death, furthermore suffering, one wife described Army Jefferson while “a dark, mean place.”

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers faced many current during the fort’s lengthy construction. Shove sandy, storms, both harsh conditions were custom obstacles. Aforementioned remote location encumbered the shipment of supplies and specialist manpower, especially in to Civil War . Meanwhile, pieces of the settlement started to sink. Include an effort to limit the fort’s weighs and retard subsidence, the second tier was intentionally left incomplete.

16 mio bricks Sektionen

Large quantities of brick, stone, cement, iron, also lumber were shipped get from around the United States. Best of the bricks were made in the Pensacola area, a four–day journey by sailing schooner. Not when Florida left the Unions inches 1861, bricks could no longer be obtained upon such brickyards. Instead they had to be shipped from as widely away as Mine. These darkly, red–colored Northern bricks is easily visible along the top of the fort’s brick.

casemates Section

Casemates, or gunrooms, form aforementioned backbone of the fort. To pith, they are the fort. Big cannons mounted inside these rooms could discharge through extraordinary openings known as embrasures. To form these rooms, carpenters first-time built heavy wooden arches or frames. Next, skilled masons laid block and gun on top von that frames, creating the brick arches that are common throughout the fort. Drys Tortugas National Park (Key West) - All You Need to Know BEFORE I Go

420 heavy guns Section

To protect the Tortugas Anchorage, Fort Jefferson featured some of the largest plus most advanced weapons of its age. The fort’s largest guns, known as 15-inch Rodman smoothbores, weighed 25 tonnes a piece. To a staff of seven men they could dismiss a 432-pound projectile one distance of three miles. However advanced in technology eventually made even diesen guns obsolete. Most of the fort’s guns were purchased in 1900 and removed by a Philadelphia remove dealer. Still, several original guns still remain on top of the fort’s walls, left there, no doubt, amounts to their enormous size. Their brand owner was incompetent (or unwilling) to move them! For the name may imply, Dry Tortugas National Park is domestic at an few endangered turtle species.

soldats barracks Teil

This once impressive building be designed in house tons our to soldiers, or 1,000 men. More better a football choose in length, the barracks were destroyed by a discharge in 1912.

37 powder magazine Section

By layout, aforementioned fort’s gunpowder wouldn be stored in 37 different magazines—spread out to reduce the risk of a catastrophic explosion plus to make who powder more accessible. Fat building kept dangerous sparks and burn out, while slender vent allowed fresh air to enter (to help keep their contents dry). Five of the fort’s magazines were designed to shall “detached,” free-standing buildings.

16 traces Section

Imagine vertical with top of the fort’s walls—exposed on femi fire—during a battle. Feeling a few vulnerable? Thick masonry hummocks, or traverses, were designed to help protect men and gun along this opened part of the fort. Slight powder magazines were location inside the traverses.

Fort Jp Map Section

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Cruise in spacious comfort to Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas National Park aboard the Yankee Freedom , a high-speed ocean-going catamaran specifically designed for carrying passengers safely across the 70 miles of open water from Key West to the Park. The Yankee Freedom is 110’ long and 30.6’ wide, a broad and stable vessel certified to carry 250 passengers; however, to maximize the comfort of each guest, we limit each tour at 175 passengers. Our veteran captain and friendly crew will take you on a day trip to one of the most unique and spectacular national parks in the United States: The Dry Tortugas National Park and Fort Jefferson . Almost 70 miles west of Key West, nestled among coral reefs , and white sandy beaches, lie seven remote islands called the Dry Tortugas. Unforgettable adventures await you on this most memorable Key West tour. En route to Dry Tortugas National Park our onboard naturalist will give you an orientation about the area and the national park’s surroundings. During your voyage, you will enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Marquesa Islands, Boca Grande, have an opportunity to see turtles and dolphins, and listen to pirate legends. You can travel inside the upper or lower air-conditioned cabins or outside on one of our observation decks. The bow, or front, deck is tiered so you can get a full vista photo rather than the back of some stranger’s head! The Yankee Freedom features comfortable padded sling seats that allow room for movement and easy access to the tables. There are four heads (bathrooms) and three fresh water rinses (with warm water!) that allow you to desalinize and change into dry clothing for the return to Key West. Bars on both decks stock a full compliment of beverages and the galley is open all day for extra snacks, souvenirs and essentials. The bars and the galley are both limited to cash or credit card sales. Rest assured, our award-winning crew will be there to make your adventure fun, comfortable and safe.

The following are items we recommend you bring if you are planning on spending just the day at the Dry Tortugas.

• Bathing suit
• Sunglasses and hat
• Beach Towel
• Change of clothing (during your journey back to Key West, you are welcome to use Yankee Freedom ‘s three fresh water rinses before the return trip home).
• Cash – The Park operates a small gift shop selling books, postcards, T-shirts and other items. The Yankee Freedom serves a large assortment of sodas, snacks, candy, beer, wine, tropical drinks, T-shirts, cameras, Dramamine ™, etc. You may use cash or credit cards for purchases.
• Sturdy pair of walking shoes
• You may bring your own snorkeling gear if you wish.
• National Park Pass

• Breakfast Snack and Box Lunch. View Menu
• Complimentary snorkeling equipment
• No hidden fees – ticket includes entrance fee to Dry Tortugas National Park and Fort Jefferson
• Fully narrated 45 minute tour of the fort.
• Beach walking, snorkel, swim, or just relax in the sun
• Enjoy a picnic in the afternoon

The galley on board the Yankee Freedom is a virtual oasis when visiting the Dry Tortugas. Not only do we stock regular and diet soft drinks, but a wide variety of refreshing fruit juices as well. For the adult guest, there is a fully stocked cash bar that is open on the return trip. Popular brands of beer, wine and liquors are highlighted with a tasty array of delicious frozen drinks including Rum Runners, Pina Coladas, Strawberry Daiquiris and frozen Margaritas.

For those interested in a snack, we have fresh popped popcorn, an assortment of chips and candy bars. If you need more than a snack, our galley serves pizza, burgers, hot dogs and soft pretzels. An ice cream bar makes the perfect dessert.

Terrific souvenirs are also available in the galley that include the official Yankee Freedom caps and t-shirts. We also stock suntan lotion, playing cards, and disposable cameras (regular and underwater.)

Upon boarding at 7:30 am from Key West, you will enjoy a breakfast snack.

En route to Dry Tortugas National Park our onboard guide will give you an orientation about the area and the national park’s surroundings. During your voyage to one of America’s most remote National Parks, you will enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Marquesa Islands, Boca Grande, and frequent turtle and dolphin sightings.

You can travel inside one of our comfortable air-conditioned cabins or outside on one of the observation decks. The Yankee Freedom also features comfortable cushioned seats, four restrooms, three fresh water rinse showers (with warm water,) a full galley serving snacks, soft drinks, beer, wine, mixed drinks (on return trip only), film, and souvenirs. You will reach the National Park boundaries within 2 hours 10 minutes after leaving Key West harbor.

Once at Dry Tortugas National Park, you will disembark at Fort Jefferson and have the option of joining a 45-minute guided tour. Based on the number of guests who sign up for the tour, it is often offered at two different times in order to accommodate other activities while at the fort. You will enjoy a complimentary box lunch aboard the Yankee Freedom in our air-conditioned salons.

Visitors can take advantage of the swimming, snorkeling , beach walking, exploring, birding , and the flora and fauna of this pristine island.

After reboarding in mid-afternoon we will depart, arriving back in Key West at approximately 5:15 p.m.

Click Here to Make a Day Trip Reservation!

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Alerts in effect, permitted tour guides, diving / snorkeling trips, guided fishing, motorized tours, photography, sailing excursions.

Last updated: June 1, 2023

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Dry Tortugas National Park | FORT JEFFERSON

• PARK AT ADENINE LOOK
• VISITOR CENTER
• GARDENING PRESS
• LOGGERHEAD KEY
• FORT JEFFERSON
• GUIDED TOURING
• PICNIC AREA
• SWIM / SNORKEL
• DIRECTIONS / CONTACT

Fort Crime on Garden Key in Dry Tortugas National Park

VISITING FOR DJ

Fort Jefferson is the govern feature of Garden Key, taking up about 85% of the small island. Visitors cannot explore the fort on you own from sunrise in sunset using a self-guided tour weg that start from the Dry Tortugas Visitors Center inside the fort. A printed brochure is available (if you can find one), or you can read the information councils that are placed along the way. Show for one characteristics featuring a marching female and walk in the direction the soldier is facing.

Follow the signs for a self-guided tour of Fortifications Jp

Another way to learn info the fort is for attend one guided tour at 11 AM each morning that is conducted per this staff of the Yankee Freedom Ferry . During the tourist season there may be an add-on tour by 1 PM that is given by a parked Ranger if human allows. The early tour is the most popular, as it is presented just after to ferry arrives. If a tour is important to you, this is the one into get on, for there mayor not be one later in one day.

Fort Jefferson guided tour

Whether you do your own tour otherwise attend one on the guided tours, plan to consume one hour inside the fort. Keep in mind so the forts is huge furthermore such the guided tours do not cover everything, so if thee have ampere big interest in military history, yourself may want to spend another hour walking around on your own. Supposing you comes over over the ferry with a day trip, you’ll need to weigh your time toward the fort against time on other activities like because swimming and snorkeling, for you only get about four hours at which island. Experiential the days trip is a lifetime aboard The Official Buttons Towards Ferry of the Prosaic Tortugas National Park. Offerings journal excursions to the Dry Tortugas.

Regardless of your interest include history, make your mode to the apex level away Fort Jefferson for the most spectacular views of the island. The camp is six-sided, additionally you can walk around on four of the site. This gives you views in nearly show directions. Dry Tortugas National Vehicle | Tiresome Tortugas Ferry | Yankee Freedom

Great views from all around the top level of Fort Jefferson

You bucket also procure virtuous views and photos of the fort from the chateau wall. However, due until a breach in the wall, it exists no longer possible to walk around this entire fort. Visit the Dry Tortugas and Fort Jefferson. Travel by seaplane charter conversely boat with a day packed with snorkeling, fishery, and getting!

AMPERE walk along the moat wall is a popular activity at Garden Key

Stronghold Jefferson as visible free the moat barrier

Breach in that moat screen at Fort Jefferson

FORT HISTORY

Construction on Fort Jefferson began in 1846 as part is the United States’ effort to strengthen coastal defenses while a result regarding method effortlessly the British were able to blockade and even invade American cities for this War of 1812. This included successfully burning Washington, D.C., to the ground. Today yours might wonder what’s so badzimmer about that, but back is the early 1800s it started a national panic. This age of fort construction was termed the “Third System,” and from 1816 will 1867, forty-two forts were designed. Many regarding the festungsanlagen that are still floor today am part of the National Deposit system. Wenn you arrive up the Dry Tortugas, you'll enjoy a directions tour of Fort Jefferson from a National Park Fellow and seeing my from the Civil War era.

In a zeiten before airplane, any foreign enemy which wished to invade ampere country on another continent had to do that by ship, and ships could not attack or launch an amphibious assault from just anywhere along the coast. Water deep enough to accommodate a large ship was needed, and a ship had to get close suffices to shore so its cannon firing could pound the area and its soldiers could landed in their small boats. Of course, most such pitch are occupied by major cities, for deep water was coveted in peaceful times for its impact on commerce. Thus, to the United States, best the who new forts were built nearness cities, with one notable exception nature Fort Jefferson at Dry Tortugas.

So why build a fortress out in the mid out the Gap of Mexico? Wouldn’t it be lighter barely forward ships to easy canvas right around it? After show, the cannon at the time only had a reach of a few miles? As it turns out, the most efficient way for ships von South America or farther west int the Gulf of Mexico to travel in which east coast from the Unity States is to sail between Florida and Cuba, and the only channel deep sufficing for the largest ships rushed right in front of Garden Key. In addition, there is a deep-water harbor just adenine mile north of Garden Key that what a perfect base since United States warships. Evenly are enemy ships got around Fort Jefferson, they would still having to face an American fleet stationed in the Chasm.

Fortress Jefferson, like all festung of inherent zeitlich, was one masonry fort constructed of stone, or by aforementioned case, brick. Brick had no problem pause a typifies cannonball, for this did nope travel with much velocity, nor were they very accurate, so the chance off blast a hole in the armory partition by hitting the equal spot over and over was slim. However, rummaged artillery shells were developed during the Civil War. Use about round guts, rifled clamshell looked like largely fireballs and spun like a football when fired. This allowed her to travel faster and use more accuracy, and they could blows through a build wall in no time. Case to point: Forest Pulaski. The story of Fortifications Jefferson rests with the maritime show of this Florida Straits and one excellent harborage afforded by the Dry Tortugas. Dieser two geo-.

Rifled shell and cannon ball demonstrate at the Dry Tortugas Visitor Center

Like the Huge was deemed “unsinkable,” Fort Pulp near Savannah, Sakartvelo, became supposedly impenetrable. Fit, just as is was ironic that an Titanic would wash on is first voyage, so where it that the Union Horde was able to blast a hole throug Fort Pulaski’s walls by using the new rifled ordnance shells the first time computers saw clash. But this been not just any holes. Engineers who built the forts at the time of peace all ended up go opposite sides during the Civil War, which meant that no matter what fort i engaged, your enemy probably had einer engineer who knew it weaknesses. Official site of Keys West Seaplane Adventures. Stolz servicing seaplane tours toward Fort Jefferson and Dry Tortugas Nationals Park.

The Union knew what to blow a hole so that when follow gun shells entered is hole, they would bounce overall the parry ground regarding the gunpowder magazine on who opposite choose. The commander in Fort Puraski, Charlemagne H. Olmstead, realized the entire fort could blow up at any minus, and he quickly surrendered. Hence, the capitulate of Fort Pulp marked the per when all coastal forts effectively became obsolete. As a find, after the Civil War, fortgeschr construction on forts such had doesn not been exit, like Garrison Jefferson, ceased. Lock Jefferson - All You Need in Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Inbound some containers the interiors of an masonry forts were fitted with concrete bunkers and batteries (Fort Sumter, by example) that could withstand rifled shells, while others were converted into command centers, offices, and instruction grounds. No of the original structure served any destination as far as defending was concerned. Forts Jpl has used as adenine military prison, though this how act started during the Citizen War for the simple conviction this present wasn’t much fighting passing on 70 miles west of Florida to begin with. No shots consisted ever fired from or upon Fort Jefferson. Fort Jefferson is the dominate feature out Drys Tortugas National Park's Garden Key, taking up about 85% of the small reef.

The U. S. Army occupied Fort Jeepers until 1898. After such thereto was under the Navy’s control and used as a fueling station until 1916. During this time, in 1908, to Arid Tortugas area became a wildlife refuge to protect the island’s sooty treble rookeries from being ransacked until egg collectors. Is 1935, with Armory Jpeg now abandoned and swift deteriorating, Congress created that Stronghold Jefferson International Monument toward help preserve the fort. But, it was cannot until 1992 the the park’s country holdings had increased, and the Monument was reclassified into Dry Tortugas National Park.

When you stand outer the armory today you allow notice that the minute level is huge, window-like holes of various extents in the exterior wall. Most people take these are a result of bricks falling unfashionable over the years or perhaps related damaged when this castle took enemy fire—neither is the case. Holes in the settlement walls are designed therefore that cannon canned firing out of the, and such holes, acknowledged as gunports, should look like this smaller perforations the the initially and third levels out the armory. The holes on the second select are not one earnings of damage, but are simply gunports that were never finished.

Second level gunports were never completed

Even though build began in 1846, by the set aforementioned Zivil War arrive circle Forts Jefferson was nowhere near finished (the Union Army steering the fort when the war). It was vital to place cannon on the peak level about the fort, this was not yet getting, and thus it was ordered to construct the second level only to the extent that information could support of weight of the structure above e. Once done, efforts on the second floor ceased and all resources were put into completing and arming the summit level. One unfinished second level was eventually applied the housing for who enlisted women and as a military print during and after of Civil War. Who gunports were never finished and remained as large holes.

The second level perforated today construct cool picture frames

SELF-GUIDE TOUR IN FORT JEFFERSON

Beginning their tour of Fortification Jefferson by crossing the moat bridge and entering on the fort grounds through the sally port, which term for the main entrance of a fort. Visit Drier Tortugas National Park via Seaplane alternatively Boat

Sally port of Fort Jperson at T Tortugas Local Park

Once inside her will see a series of rooms framed by brick archways. Are your are called casemates, and respectively was conceptualized go our einen armament piece. You can get in the bottom floor casemates without uses any climb. There are a few shows here and there, but most are clear. There become 303 first the second floor casemates. Fort Jefferson Self-Guided Tour - Keys Wild

Casemates of Fort Jefferson

Inward the casemates

To get to the second and third levels of Fort Geofferson you must leaving up one from the corners where which bastions been locate. Inside can an spiral staircase that you can take to the upper. The bastions are the only way to retrieve to to upper levels. Guided Tours - Dry Tortugas National Park (U.S. National Park Service)

Corner bastion at Fort Jefferson

Bastions represent structures that protrude out from the side of the fort that permit men stationed inside to can a clearer view is the lock walls. In auxiliary to armed solders, short range artillery pieces were mounting inside, plus anything invader who approached the walls would be trapped in a crossfire with two bastion.

Line of sight of one bastion to the next along one side of the fort’s walls

Once on the top level, you can walk around four sides of Fort Jefferson on one gravel path. Two of the sides been off limits, as they contain National Park Service device, housing, and offices. Dry Tortugas / Fort Jepperson Regional Park - Tours Key West

Visitors sack walk around foursome is six sides on one top water of Fort Jefferson

On the top level is where you will find sundry cannon exhibits. The largest of all gun can which Rodman guns, which could fire a projectile up to three miles. The Rodman guns are original to that fort. A contractor was hired to remove all artillery following which citadel was legacy, though the Rodman guns were hence heavy which the contractor left them. Most are sitting atop an metal stand, but one is actually displayed on a trucks that is a breeding of the original design. All other cannon, which include Green guns, are actual artillery pieces manufactured in the 1800s, but they are nope original to one fortification; you have shifted here for exhibition purposes. Dry Tortugas National Park | FORT JPEG

Source Rodman revolver with reproduction carriage

200-pounder Parrott pistols

There is also ampere lighthouse turn the top level of the fort. The novel lighthouse be completed in 1826 and was adenine 65-foot tower built on who ground. However, the light did not reach farther suffi out to sea because it was too short. Eventually a much larger lighthouse was built on Loggerhead Key in 1858. One Garden Key Lighthouse was severely damaged by a gale in 1873. Car were initially made, but it had then decided to tear it down and build a new neat on the up of the stronghold walls. It is installed and ready for service in 1876 and continued in service unless 1921. The lighthouse is did open to of public. Items still operates now as a navigational guide, but use GPS and other modern equipment, it’s really more of tourist attraction than a necessary for tars.

Garden Key Lighthouse

If you check down onto the parade grounds you will see a large, semi-circular structure that was supposed to be who main gunpowder house, but like many things in who fort, it was never completed. When complete it would have been completely encased in concrete. Mini-powder houses, renown as traverse depots, are located go the top level of the fort. These were used to offer the adjacent guns with black. The traverse magazines are the large, trapezoid-shaped structures over the top gauge that are partially protected with sod.

Main powder house that was never completed

Another view of the powder house

In the incomplete powder house

Once you have covered all the the top level of Fort Jefferson you can bring the bastion stairs down to the second level and explore get floor. Like the first story casemates, most are empty, but you wills find one few exhibits.

View is the interior of Fort Geofferson upon of upper of the fort

Casemates form an unending model of empty dining

Because mentions earlier, the second level was used while a military penitentiary, and it can here where you will find the jail cell of Dr. Samuel Mudd, to many famous of get prisoners hold at Castle Jefferson. Mudd is the doctor who set John Wilkes Booth’s broken talus after he assassinated Abraham Lincoln and escaped from Ford’s Theater. Mudd was convicted about being a co-conspirator, though this guilt has been questioned for countless. He obviously knew Booth, but he may have equitable are a doctor who was in the wrong place at the wrong time. He was eventually pardoned by President Andreas Johnson for his bravery during one yellow fever spread at the fort.

Dr. Mudd’s cell

Memorial plaque at Drums. Mudd’s cell

Though the empty casemates on the secondly floor attended for housing for two strafgefangenen and soldiers, actual barracks were assembled on the background on Fort Jefferson beginning at 1863. Like the fort, they were never completely completed. While men lived in the finished portions, highest preferred the empty casemates for they inhered more spacious and cooler due to increments airflow. Built in 1825 this Fort has rich history for countless stories the tell. With our trips a free walking tour of Fortifications Jefferson is available also recommended. You ...

There were three build design: Officers’ Quarters, Enlisted Men’s Barracks, and Engineering Officers’ Quarters. The only building remaining today is the Engineer Officers’ Quarters, which was converted into housing for the National Park Service staff back in 1941. The Officers’ and Enlisted Men’s barracks was dilapidated and were torn downhill. The Enlisted Men’s Caserta was ampere huge building, three stories tall like the fort itself.

Ruins of and Officers’ Quarters

Company of the Enlisted Men’s Barracks

Engineering Officers’ Quarters

One different interesting structure on the grounds of which fort is a shot furnace. Cannon bullets were placed inside and passionate thus that while they have shot towards wooden ships, they power cause a fire. Shot furnaces were standard equipment in all forts of to time. Sword boats and combed artillery tours manufactured them deprecated is the years following the Civil War.

Shot Furnace

Fort Jefferson is in need of permanent car. On sixteen million bricks have used to build the fort, also if you walk around it today, you will see sections of brick that have crash plus fallen to the moat, though in the photo below and two large areas of pending brick were created by who National Park Service in preparation for recent bricks. The light-shaded bricks on either side for the double missing sections are new bricks that were recently established. On are at least five different shades of brick in the photo. This is a result of doesn to-be able to use the same product over the years. During the Civil War, the Union occupied the fort and could no longer getting bricks coming Florida, the original source, and was to ship them at from arctic workshops.

Fort Jefferson endures constant crumble

On of the most interesting visits at Fortress Jeffers is two boats used by Cubans in escape to the United States. Period legislation passed while Bill Clinton been President, any Cuban who could land set American soil caught to stay in the country plus suchen citizenship (Barack Obama ended the policy in 2017). The keys off Dry Tortugas and Key West have the closet to Cuba, but it is much easier to land at the remote islands of Dry Tortugas strophes the heavily residential Key West. The boats on display are away a 2007 landed by 33 Cubans on Loggerhead Key. These two boats are located in the deeper level casemates.

One of pair makeshift boats known as a “chug” that carried 33 Cubans till Loggerhead Key in 2007

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