Kirjahaku

Sunken treasure, cannibalism, prison ships, Nazi submarines, the Bermuda triangle--all are tied into the lore of shipwrecks along Florida's coasts. There are as many shipwreck stories as there are thousands of Florida shipwrecks. This book offers thirty of the most interesting of them--from the tale of young Fontaneda, who wrecked in 1545 and was held captive by Indians for 17 years, to the story of the Coast Guard cutter Bibb, which was sunk off Key Largo in 1987 to provide an artificial reef and diving site. In between there is the Atocha, flagship of a Spanish treasure fleet, which sank in a hurricane in September 1622 and was found, along with its $100 million worth of gold and silver, by Mel Fisher in July of 1985. Each shipwreck story has a map pinpointing its location and a full-color illustration by renowned artist William L. Trotter. There is an extensive bibliography and a foreword by Florida state underwater archaeologist Roger Smith.

Blackbeard, Jose Gaspar, Jean Lafitte--the names conjure up a romantic, swashbuckling figure with a black patch over one eye, a cutlass in his teeth, and a brace of pistols tucked into his waistband. Actors such as Errol Flynn did much to create that devil-may-care attitude glamorized on the silver screen, but in fact, real pirates were not so admirable; for the most part they were cruel, greedy, dastardly brigands, many of whom were slave traders or smugglers in addition to being pirates. Still, we continue to be fascinated by their lives and exploits, perhaps because they led such adventurous lives full of bravery, recklessness and daring. It is certainly more enjoyable-- and safer--to read about pirates than to encounter one. This book chronicles the lives and times of 20 notable Florida pirates, from the English privateers of the 1500s to present-day drug smugglers and "yachtjackers." Pirates have always found easy prey in the seas around Florida; not only did the treasure-laden ships on their way back to Europe have to sail close to Florida's shores to catch the currents east, but the treacherous Florida Reef foundered many a ship, making easy pickings. Most of what we know about pirates comes from Navy records, newspaper accounts, or eyewitness statements from those whom the pirates spared. This book distills the most interesting facts from many sources into a book that will be enjoyed by anyone interested in a different perspective on Florida's history.

Since the time when Greek sentinels lit fires on mountaintops for the use of mariners at sea, lighthouses have aided the navigation of sailors on European waters. Those crude fires have been replaced by state-of-the-art towers equipped with satellite technology, and lighthouses remain indispensable navigational aids. For Ireland, the lights are important not only to mariners, but to the livelihood of the entire island. Eighty lighthouses under the authority of the Commissioners of Irish Lights dot the 2000 miles of Irish coastline. Each is addressed here, and thirty of the most interesting lights are featured with detailed histories and full-color paintings by noted maritime artist William Trotter. From the sinking of the Lusitania to the burial of a shipwrecked elephant, Kevin McCarthy outlines the significance of Irish lights to the maritime history of Ireland and the world while painting a vivid picture of the life led by the keepers and inhabitants of the rocks, islands, and shores of the Emerald Isle.

Though the Georgia coast is a mere 110 miles long, a wealth of historic beauty--natural and manmade--lies between the Savannah and St. Mary's Rivers. The last-settled and poorest of the original thirteen colonies of the United States, Georgia is a unique combination of war-torn history and genteel character. Here you'll find stories of Civil War soldiers, pioneers and settlers, Native Americans, seafarers and pirates (including Blackbeard), and even a ghost or two. Some of the places you'll visit: First Presbyterian Church, where smugglers hoisted a horse into the belfry to divert the townspeople's attention from their nefarious activities. St. Simons Lighthouse, one of America's oldest continuously working lighthouses and home to the ghost of keeper Frederick Osborne, whose footsteps can be heard in the tower at night. Jekyll Island Club, an elegant, posh retreat established in 1886 by some of the wealthiest families in America, including the Astors, Rockefellers, and Vanderbilts. These and other lighthouses, plantations, churches, forts, and summer cottages of wealthy Northerners and Southerners alike stand as testaments to the rich and provocative history of this, the most Southern of Southern states. Each site is illustrated with a full color painting.

The alligator--Florida's most feared, maligned animal. From the time European settlers first stepped onto Florida soil, the alligator has been a target of dread and revulsion--and the hunter's gun. Collected here are true (and tongue-in-cheek) accounts of alligators and the people who have hunted them, been attacked by them, and tried to save them from extinction. Journey through the Everglades with 1800s Seminoles, experts at stalking and killing gators. Go along with a "Northern girl" as she shoots "my first alligator in my glove and veil." And learn how modern alligator hunters go about their business, which hasn't changed much in the last hundred years or so. If you like tall tales, you'll love Henry, the alligator-turned-head-waiter who becomes despondent when a pretty New York girl spurns his lovesick advances. Or Algy, the gator who survives a broiling in a furnace by his owners, who happen to think he's already dead and won't mind the heat. Or Two-Toed Tom, who may or may not have even existed, but who was blamed for everything from eating mules to terrorizing women and children.

Long before the first European explorers set foot on Florida soil, numerous Native American tribes hunted, honored their gods, built burial mounds, and coexisted with one another in pockets of settlements across the state. Explores the importance of archaeology in preserving the past for future generations, how archaeologists do their work, and even how young people can gain hands-on experience on a real dig. The different types of Indian mounds burial mounds, shell middens, and platform mounds and their uses are explained, as well as Indian languages and reservations. Provides detailed descriptions of 185 sites on the Native American Heritage Trail that mark important historical events, as well as a calendar of important dates that highlights the history, culture, setbacks, and successes of Florida's Native Americans. A clearly written narrative for anyone interested in Native American studies. For classroom use: one free teacher's manual with the purchase of three books

From the union of the Chattahoochee and Flint Rivers at the Georgia-Florida state line, the mighty Apalachicola River flows unimpeded for about 100 miles to the Gulf of Mexico. At the river's mouth lies Apalachicola Bay and Florida's "Forgotten Coast," known for world-class seafood and seemingly endless miles of pristine beaches, shallow estuaries, and protected forests.In Apalachicola Bay, author Kevin McCarthy takes us through the history of the bays sites and communities. With vibrant color paintings by William Trotter, Apalachicola Bay will let you savor some authentic Florida history and see what makes this "Forgotten Coast" memorable for residents and visitors alike.

Anyone looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the modern world for a while is invited to sit back and enjoy a leisurely trip down one of the best-known and most beloved rivers in the country. Flowing more than 230 miles from the Okefenokee Swamp in Georgia to the Gulf of Mexico in Florida, the Suwannee may well be the last unspoiled river in the Southeast.Complete with travel information and tips for those exploring the area by water or by land, this comprehensive guide describes the history, major towns and cities along the way, wildlife, and personages associated with the river. As you journey down the river, you'll stop by places like White Springs and Branford, Old Town and Fowler's Bluff. You'll see manatees, jumping fish, alligators, and many species of birds.You'll also be introduced to some of the most important people and groups in Florida's history, including the Timucuan and Seminole Indians, Spanish missionaries and explorers, Stephen C. Foster, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, and William Bartram, as well as the organizations and agencies that have fought to preserve and protect this magnificent river and its watershed.The Suwannee River Guidebook will open your eyes to a part of Florida you may be surprised to learn still exists, one largely untouched by developers and full of natural wonder.Next in series > >See all of the books in this series

The Caloosahatchee flows from near Lake Okeechobee for to its outlet at Fort Myers on the southwest Gulf coast of Florida. Eighty miles long and only a stone's throw across in some places, Florida's Caloosahatchee River once played an essential part in the transport of cattle, fruit, and other goods between Lake Okeechobee and Punta Rassa. Now the river, which has been dredged, deepened, and "improved" for decades, is the key to efforts to restore the Everglades to its natural beauty and balance. Discover the Caloosahatchee's colorful history and importance in this comprehensive guidebook.See all of the books in this series

Florida--land of perpetual sunshine, open spaces, and endless blue skies perfect for flying. Blimps, hot air balloons, bi-wings, jets, space shuttles-you name it: if you can fly it, you can fly it here, and many aviators have. From the launch of Amelia Earhart's final flight to the world's first scheduled airplane flight, important events in aviation have taken place in Florida.Filled with gorgeous color paintings by artist William Trotter, this book offers the definitive history of Aviation in Florida-from the open-cockpit bi-wing planes used by the barnstormers of the 1920s to the jumbo jets and space shuttles of today.

Florida has its own special way of celebrating the holiday.