BOATS, SHIPS & OTHER WATERCRAFTS
From the simplest watercraft comprised of logs or planks fastened together, to the cruise line's mega storied ships or giant cargo-carrying container freighters circumnavigating the open sea, there isn't any shortage of the various types of nautical vessels since the beginning of time. Let us not forget all the countries' navies. It's believed the Minoens from Crete are the first seafarers sailing and conducting business in the Mediterranean Sea area thousands of years before Christ, while today, many watercrafts are simple for our pleasure. So put on your life preserver and stay dry as you peruse these pages.
• COAST GUARD VESSELS
• CUBAN CHUGS
A unique collection of Cuban Refugee Boats demonstrating the ingenuity and determination of so many looking for freedom. Florida seems to be the closest target for a landing. and in some cases a big part of an area's history like Key West.
• FISHING BOATS
The instruments bringing the catch of the day to your table.
• HOUSEBOATS
Not all homes have basements and rock you to sleep with the changing tides.
• ROWBOATS, CANOES, KAYAKS, & OTHER SMALL CRAFTS (Gondolas)
Small watercrafts make up the greatest population of our harbors and marinas throughout the world. There are numerous ways of emjoying the water while staying dry with a host of watercrafts under 100 feet in length.
• SAILBOATS
From the earliest of time, man has used the wind to propel vessels over the water. Here is a collection of various sailboats old and new.
• SHIPS (Commerical, Ferries & Military)
Big and getting bigger are our ships used for military, commercial or for our pleasure (cruise ships). At 100 plus feet long, the largest ever built was way over 1200 feet and capable of carrying over 500,000 tons of weight (that includes the fuel, passengers, cargo and ballast).
• SHIPWRECKS, ABANDONED & DERELICT VESSELS
Whether planned or just the results of storms or other tragedies, there are plenty of wrecks dotting the coast and waterways. For whatever reason, we have found Florida to showcase an extreme quantity of these once floating vessels.
• SMALL FERRIES/PADDLE WHEELERS
The only reliable method of methods of moving people from Point A to Point B on the water, are ferries or water taxis.
• SUBMARINES
Originally an experimented in the 19th Century, the submarine, is a watercraft capable of independent operation underwater, first saw action during World War I. The rest is history.