Fort Clinch

                                                

            On Monday April 15, we went on an awesome field trip to Fort Clinch. In the morning, we walked as a group through town and then into the state park. In total, it was about four miles from the boat to the fort. It felt great to walk and stretch our legs for the day. Once we entered the state park, we had a nice walk on a paved road that was surrounded by live oak trees covered with Spanish moss. At the fort, we were given time to explore by ourselves before we met as a group to get a tour from one of the soldiers. The fort was beautiful and made almost entirely of brick. 95 percent of the bricks in the fort are original and in their original position. The cannons that lined the fort were all made to pivot and were able to shoot over three miles! We all had lots of fun finding small passages through the walls from one section of the fort to another.  All of the buildings were red brick with beautiful white windows. Everything was set up inside the buildings as it would have been originally. We all tested the barracks and decided that the bunks were equivalent to the ones that we have on the Gamage. The soldier who led our tour was a retired Navy man who now spends his time volunteering at Fort Clinch. He has a degree in 19^th Century medicine, so he showed us the fort’s small hospital. It was very interesting to hear about all of the medical tools they used in the past. He also showed us the prison and some of us got locked in the cells. I had an awesome time at the fort and really enjoyed myself. It is nice to be back in the US. The weather was noticeably colder as soon as we reached Florida. I am enjoying the cooler weather, which results in much nicer sleeping conditions down below. Although some things are changing, I am having a great time.

Ben Crosby