Yesterday (3/1/07), we drove from home to St. Augustine, FL. Today we went sightseeing in St. Augustine. There is a lot of history here, much more than you would expect for Florida. Saint Augustine has been involved in the French and Indian War, the Civil War, and World War II. Most of the fighting in these wars took place at the Castillo de San Marcos. This is an ancient fort built by the Spaniards in the 1600’s. Until the Civil War, this was the largest fort on the East coast of the United States. In all of its existence, it has never been forcefully penetrated. The British obtained the fort through treaty, but that is the only time that it has belonged in hands other than the Spaniards. It is composed of blocks of Coquina, which is a stone made of crushed seashells; then compressed naturally by forces of nature. It is very strong, and has been known to have stopped cannonballs. For this reason, the fort has resisted most of the attacks that have been launched on it.
The St. Augustine Lighthouse also played a role in the safety of the Florida coast. Especially through WW2, it sighted many enemy ships. But throughout the course of the war, it became more of a hazard than a help. The high light beams would actually give profiles of American ships to German submarines on the surface of the water. The submarines would then send a torpedo in the direction of the ship, and would hit the mark most of the time. Because of these instances, the light power in the tower was reduced by 75 percent. The light keepers had a tough job. They had to lug a five pound oil can up 219 steps to the top of the order every two hours to fuel the light. The filled can weighed approximately 30 pounds.
Our last stop today was at the Spanish Quarter, a historical village located near the Castillo de San Marcos. This was a real village in the 1600’s where the families of the soldiers lived. The soldiers worked 24-48 hour shifts. After they were finished with their shifts, the men were allowed to come home sometimes for a few hours. They didn’t always choose to do this though, so the wives and children were the ones who would tend to the house and gardens. There was normally a two-room house, and a few raised gardens with orange trees. (This time of year, the blossoms on the trees smell amazing!) Chickens and goats were also kept.
Although it rained throughout the day, it was a great day with a sweet ending. On the way back, we passed a candy shop and bought some pecan pralines; a St. Augustine favorite. I’ve eaten half of it, the rest is for tomorrow!
The St. Augustine Lighthouse also played a role in the safety of the Florida coast. Especially through WW2, it sighted many enemy ships. But throughout the course of the war, it became more of a hazard than a help. The high light beams would actually give profiles of American ships to German submarines on the surface of the water. The submarines would then send a torpedo in the direction of the ship, and would hit the mark most of the time. Because of these instances, the light power in the tower was reduced by 75 percent. The light keepers had a tough job. They had to lug a five pound oil can up 219 steps to the top of the order every two hours to fuel the light. The filled can weighed approximately 30 pounds.
Our last stop today was at the Spanish Quarter, a historical village located near the Castillo de San Marcos. This was a real village in the 1600’s where the families of the soldiers lived. The soldiers worked 24-48 hour shifts. After they were finished with their shifts, the men were allowed to come home sometimes for a few hours. They didn’t always choose to do this though, so the wives and children were the ones who would tend to the house and gardens. There was normally a two-room house, and a few raised gardens with orange trees. (This time of year, the blossoms on the trees smell amazing!) Chickens and goats were also kept.
Although it rained throughout the day, it was a great day with a sweet ending. On the way back, we passed a candy shop and bought some pecan pralines; a St. Augustine favorite. I’ve eaten half of it, the rest is for tomorrow!
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