The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-08-20


could be found almost anywhere by
TRUSTING a cane down through the
sand; hence the name DRY" is a mis-
homer as applied TO Tortugas.
The group Of Islands has always been
attractive on account OF the magnificent
coral reef which constitutes the base
upon which all the Islands rest 1t had
a significance as being the only coral
reef within the borders OF the American
continent or owned by this government,
and has always been OF interest TO trav-
elers and scientists who desired TO study
the conditions OF life on a coral reef near
at hand.
What may be termed the outer reef
eumprIses an elevated platform, thirty
or forty square miles in extent: the
highest points being occupied by the
keys described. md growing in an tr-
regular atoIl shape, with Garden Key
In the centre; long slender Loggerhead
TO the west: East. Middle and Sand
Keys forming the barrier TO the north,
while Bush Key and a long. partly sub
merged barrier Of dead coral rock.
which Will ultimately bec,me an island,
constitute the front OF this remarkable
growth The Interior is cpt by deep
channels, the rich color OF which pre-
sents a sharp contrast as ehey wind In
and out-rIbbons of azure. the blue veins
OF the reef. These channels constitute
one Of the mysteries Of the reef, as they
seem almost artificial: some being so
deep and their walls 90 abrupt that 1t
is possible 10 stand on the coral edge
and dive directly down Into blue water
where It is eighty or more feet deep.
These channels have undoubtedly
been worked out by currents and the
sides covered with branch coFal. which
ihr!ves In rough water. onde attempt
ed 10 ascertain II this coral wall was
Perpendicular until It reached the bot
tom, and Il was proposed 10 take a
deep dive with sinker md scrutinlZe
Il as far as possible. The boat was held
FOUR or five feet from the edge OF the
coral, and holding n thirtY-p0und rock
by rope Lex go and sank rapidly,
holding on until as far from the sur
face as was thought wise. passing the
millions OF points oil turned outward,
IKE the bayonet points OF an army.
The most noticeable feature OF the
crop was the change OF temperature
hfst cold. then n warm current, and
thirty or forty feet from the surface,
where the slnker was dropped, the wa
Ter was intensely cold. How much fur
Their down the coral continued could not
be determined. but as far as II could be
seen this wonderful growth was almost
perpendicular, proving that here at
least was an abrupt wall Of coral
what Ia known Ms the outer reef, a
barrier Of dead cornl on the east. sorm-
90 the outer edge OF a fine grove OF n
sa9ft-branched coral which covered
many acres. through which several
years ago was a channel known as the
hve-toOt"-at that time the only
channel through the breakers. The wri-
Ter was made aware OF It's presence In n
'iartling fashion. Out one day TO the
.'.t In a slllboat II began 10 blow. and
roaiTnn said our only chnnce was
70 mnk" the "nve-foot." instead OF go-
lns around to the main channel between
iHt and Bush Keys. 80 he put the
coat Al what appeared to he an impene-
,'aul" wall o. hrclBtTs The nearer tho
peat approached the more ominous WAS
M" outlook, ne the Jagged edges Of cor
~ rock were everywhere visible In the
wash ~ the waves. But here the old
po1'nnn cpnhded 70 me one af the Sc
''N'' of the pilots Of the reef. bV which
"Fn1ker or pilot could rush In through
me breakers, going on to what was ap-
phiently certain wreck. but In reality
an EASY passage. He said II was merely
question Of steering. as there was a
enamel hiieen or twenty feet wide and