Key West Bouncer As all good things come to a close, so does this end of winter diversion to Key West. We've shared in your cool Gulf Breeze and tasty ocean delights.
Turn Right at the Giant Conch!
One of the last tourista attractions we hit is the Shipwreck museum. It was quite a nice quick diversion from modern life. Back in it's late 1800s, the Keys saw 100 shipping vessels per week. About 1% (e.g. 1 boat per week) would succumb to the treacherous coral. There was look out tower manned with spotters for just such a time. Quickly, everyone would jump onto their schooner and try to reach the marooned ship first. The first one to arrive would lay claim to the cargo. I guess actually saving the people was less important. The cargo would be brought ashore then auctioned.
The most notable house on the island, Earnest Hemingway house, was built by the man that had the fastest schooner. His most notable claims was the $1M for hand carved Italian marble which was destined for one of the Florida Government buildings. When the Government found out about the auction, they went and outbid everyone. It turns out all that marble in the belly of the ship as ballast weight, made it too deep in the water to get over the coral shoals.
Another famous shipwreck was filled with 1M COB (Cut off the Bar) gold coins. COB coins are known for their irregular shape where they are crudely cut off an ingot then stamped. Each coin is therefore unique. Again, the ballast weight made the boat ride too deep.
The last interesting story Spain had 10+ ships all leave on Friday 13th. Nearly all the ships were ravaged by a storm and littered the Florida east coast. Spain spent the next 3 years recovering the coins. They actually recovered more goods that was on the manifests, since allowing stowaway cargo was normal.
The most notable house on the island, Earnest Hemingway house, was built by the man that had the fastest schooner. His most notable claims was the $1M for hand carved Italian marble which was destined for one of the Florida Government buildings. When the Government found out about the auction, they went and outbid everyone. It turns out all that marble in the belly of the ship as ballast weight, made it too deep in the water to get over the coral shoals.
Another famous shipwreck was filled with 1M COB (Cut off the Bar) gold coins. COB coins are known for their irregular shape where they are crudely cut off an ingot then stamped. Each coin is therefore unique. Again, the ballast weight made the boat ride too deep.
The last interesting story Spain had 10+ ships all leave on Friday 13th. Nearly all the ships were ravaged by a storm and littered the Florida east coast. Spain spent the next 3 years recovering the coins. They actually recovered more goods that was on the manifests, since allowing stowaway cargo was normal.
The Dive Helmet that Revolutionized Salvage Diving
 | Make no mistake that many have lost their lives in Key West. |
I tried to convince Bruce that these trees were only 6 months old...given the fact that everything grows so fast in Florida swampland
 |  Notice the concrete embedded |
Have come all this way, we finally located and procured "precious". Mile marker 0 photo op and the replica pannier sticker.
I've been to Key West, and most Sun Rises and Sunsets are underwhelming. I can't explain why, but most of the time you just never get a vivid red sky and crisp view. However, we did snag this gem on the way out on the overseas highway. 'Til Next Time.....
