Discoveries…America National Parks: Dry Tortugas

This latest entry in Jim and Kelly Watt's beautiful, high-def filmed Discoveries…America National Parks series explores the marine park Dry Tortugas, located in the Florida Keys. A wildlife sanctuary for marine ecosystem study, Dry Tortugas also boasts a fascinating history as part of America's development. During the centuries of Spanish conquest—with its attendant gold and silver mining in the New World—the waters of the Keys witnessed a great deal of Spanish ship traffic. With the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, the new nation turned its attention to the Keys area, although it would take another two decades for Spain to cede it. Shortly thereafter, Fort Jefferson was built on a tiny island in the Tortugas to fend off any potential threats from Spain or Britain that could choke off American commerce, which was so highly dependent on the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico. The fort was later reinforced by the Union Army during the Civil War, and it also held prisoners, including the surgeon who treated John Wilkes Booth's leg, which was broken during the assassination of President Lincoln. Featuring an entertaining and enlightening presentation by a park guide, the program also visits the Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center, which has a replica of a coral reef. Sure to appeal to armchair travelers, this is highly recommended. Aud: P. (T. Keogh)