Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1898-07-01

piled TO The keys or island which cons,i
tutc the extreme outer florida reef. Key
West is the most important AS regards m
habtants, now Boosting large Cuban oI
Spanish contingent. Contnu-
ing To the southwest we come To the Mar
quesus Island, and finally, about sixty miles
from Key West, lies Garden Key, ON which
/, situated the finest tort of the old class in
the United States, magnificent structure,
three tires Of brick masonry, filled in with
which, while of not much service today
against modern guns, was, during the
late war, considered "A formidable fort.
The Tortugas Island have been almost
neglected since the war, when the Dry
Tortugas obtained a somewhat unenviable
reputation 10y being used as a military
prison. Tortugas was not 80 disagIeesble
place as it was painted
For thirty years it has been almost de-
serted. The ola guns are lying where
they were left by the troops, some un-
|
AMI rain, and the fort has an appetrauc
not creditaGle to the government that has
expended millions upon II. But now IN.
dications point to the belief that the old
fort will be rehablitated, Fand the earri
son, which has been commanded by some
Of the best known officers in the army.
will again assume an air of life and ac-
tivity.
For some time it has been in the hands
Of the Department of State, which estab-
lshed quarantine station here, and army
surgeons have been Studying the yellow
fever germ theory But the Threatened
trouble with Cuba has resulted 10 the re
establishment Of the post a an army ana
naval station. The White squadron is
lying of the fort Goa has been sent there
for the fleet, and a large contract has been
given Tor the deepening of the harbor hear
Garden Key 50 that the largest cruisers
can run in and coal
1t is a singular commentary on the in
activity Of the government ior the past
three decades that this post or fort Ac
most important sjrategetical position in
the South, the key of the Gulf, Gibraltar
of America, should haye been left in |
charge of the sergeant all these years and |.
practically Ignored. In 1919 the United |
states purchased these keys and the whole
of Florida fpr the sum Of $1,000 600; and |
the fact that the KEYS are but |
"a few hours run from Cub,, il was deemed |
necessary 10 fortify the exposed points, 50
Fort Jefferson was 5egun in 1877. and /
Fort Taylot, ut KY West, some time
later.
The la5oring work was done almost en-
tircly by slaves hired from their masters in
Key West, the skilled mechanics coming
from the North. In 1875 and 1860 For,
Jefferson was near compielion but war
being declared, it shurriedly afotihcd,
and has never been entirely completed
nor has the original plan been carried oct
which would have made i. one OF the
iortificato ns in the world.
Approaching the group from the east,
he keys gradually take shape-EIsb
Middle, Sand, North, Loggerhead Bird,
harden, Long and Bush Keys. East Key
5 the largest Loggerhead the longest and {
caring tie light Of that name They are :
III made up OF coral sand and shell.
washed up by the sci, and capped by
hcket Of bay cellars. and in some in ,
'anccs mangroves The entire group. q
ughly speaking, including the outlying |
cei. occupies IN area Of seventy square a
niles; beng about ten miles in length |
rom north TO south and perhaps five or q
ia from the Push Key rect TO The outer !
eef west Of Loggerhc1d. It Is really an {
toll, cut by maze Of deep blue channels d
which wind in and out i'm a marvellous {
manner, forming an ideal and perfect har
or, but so narrow that il would be diff
ut for the largest cruiser 10 turn. Dr. r
NJ the war the largested transport entered
be port even the large ship Vanderbilt. " ,
forward changed into the sailing ship
Three Brothers, entered the harbor, ,
'hlch is very deep.
The main entrance is from the @ ST. u
essels sailing for Loggcrhcad Light. three
liles away. almost passing Tortugas, then +
buoy is suddenly seen. and the vessel r.
carly doubles on her tracks and steams d
ITO narrow, intensely blue channel, f
hitch completely encircles the key, So
lal vessel passing in the main channel il
not obliged to turn, but passes directly r
ROUND the key and ont again. d.
Fort Jefferson stand, in the center OF ~
ne group, and the original plan was to p
ave the various islands, Bird. Sand East Il
nd Loggerhead Keys, provided with hat
.ries. This can now be done, and with +
,ndbag forts, and one or two disappear !,
" guns Of the largest caiber on each key ,
rrounding the tort, the place could be y
iade impregnabc. .,
Tnc old fort presents picturesque APP II
esr lnce, and seems 10 rise directly from c