Fort Clinch
Welcome! Are you Union or Confederate supporters? No sir, we haven't accepted Confederate money since 1862.
May 14, 2017 we motored 283 happy miles north east of Dunedin Florida on a mission to visit Fort Clinch State Park and Cumberland National Park. This is our story...well, some of it. Google Fort Clinch if you are interested in the full historical scoop. For now, know that construction began in 1847 and was never entirely completed. It was briefly inhabited by the confederacy. The fort served as a military post during the war between the states, Spanish-American War and WWII.
I couldn't get a good picture of the entire fort. This is a model for your viewing pleasure. .
Interesting way to greet visitors...note the cannon..
There have been many configurations of Old Glory throughout the years. This is a concentric circle design; however, typically there is a star in the middle surrounded first by the original 13 colonies. I'm guessing this is a flag used in 1867 or 1877.
My ancestor Commanding Officer of this Fort? Is this fake real news or real fake news? You decide.
This is the light at the end of the tunnel we all seek, right?
Proudly protecting the St Mary River and the Cumberland Sound. These cannons were never fired and only now on ceremonial occasions. Is this where "put a cork in it" comes from?
Around the Fort
Here are some pics we snapped as we toured the fort:
The Pokey or Clink (your choice)
Prisoners were incarcerated based on the severity of their crime. Thieves and drunkards were incarcerated in a cell and required to wear a sign around their neck indicating their transgression. Looks like they had a work release program (Latrine Duty). Striking or disrespecting an officer resulted in being fitted with a ball and chain in a separate group cell. Murders were incarcerated in solitary darkness. I am assuming until a court martial was convened. Peering through the bars into the ignominious darkness we see neither ceiling or walls. There is silence. The Captain of the Guard, aka an internationally famous checker champion, is shown here performing his official duties:
Life in the Fort
Below are some interesting pictures of life in the fort. The officers dining room was a cut above the enlisted mess. Water was pumped from cisterns the old fashioned way. Carol is standing in front of the oven used to bake 500 loaves of bread. Can't remember if that was daily or weekly. And of course there was a laundry. What do you think: once a week for enlisted men?
Graves? This caught our attention: "All are invited to watch the procedure" Really? All? Free? Note the Christian Tax. I wonder if you could hire an amateur mourner for half price? Do you think there was a test one had to pass to become a professional? Imagine a Professional Mourner AA Degree Program....
Meandering
Here are some pictures of our random meander around the fort. I wonder what the percussive difference is between government powder number 1 & 2? No. 1 blows the canon into orbit and craters half the fort, right? Anybody seen Ralph, John and Waldo? No sir, not a trace.
The 50 barrels of salted beef are poor...anybody have a recipe we can use? Lots of spices right? TP too. I don't know what "Do"means.
The Almost End
Here are a few final pictures to finish our meandering tour of Fort Clinch
Willow Pond Nature Trail
We hiked a short trail in Fort Clinch State Park near the fort. It was hot and muggy. The trail was narrow and contained exposed tree roots making walking and break dancing difficult. A deer bolted for more secure space when we entered the trail. A few pics of the trail follow:
This captured our attention and increased our vigilance. We had to concentrate on not tripping over exposed tree roots. Glad the gators didn't know that. Interesting park guideline: "Contact staff if you encounter canonballs." Hmmmm.....Ok, The End.