Divers find underwater hospital, cemetery off coast of Key West

ABC via Yahoo ^ | 05 02 2023 | JULIA JACOBO

[yesthatjallen]

The archeological remains of a 19th century hospital and cemetery have been found on a submerged island near Garden Key, the second-largest island in the Dry Tortugas National Park near Key West, Florida. The hospital served as a 19th century quarantine and cemetery for yellow fever patients between 1890 and 1900, according to the National Parks Service.

Historical records indicate that dozens of people, mostly U.S. soldiers stationed at Fort Jefferson, may have been buried at the cemetery, according to the NPS.

Dozens of people were interred in the Fort Jefferson Post Cemetery -- most of them were military members serving or imprisoned at the Fort. Some civilians may have been buried there as well, historians said.

Only one grave has been identified, according to the NPS. A headstone in the underwater cemetery reads the name John Greer, who died while working at Fort Jefferson on Nov. 5, 1861.

The details surrounding Greer's death are unclear, but his grave was prominently marked with a large slab of greywacke, the same material used to construct the first floor of Fort Jefferson, according to the NPS. It is inscribed with his name and date of death.

SNIP

[vpintheak]

These people are fools, and purposefully fooling people. Little islands around the ocean come and go all the time, due to storms primarily. SMH.

[M Kehoe]

Ping.

5.56mm

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks M Kehoe, adding to the list.

• Underwater Cemetery Found Off Florida's Dry Tortugas National Park [05/02/2023]