The Voice of Nettie Mudd

[John E.]

(10-08-2012 08:04 AM)RJNorton Wrote:  Now that John is safely back, I will mention a reason we have mixed emotions on that trip. Within a year or two after our trip, one of these same seaplane flights from Key West to Ft. Jefferson crashed killing five people including the pilot. As I recall all of the others were members of the same family. Seaplane flights were suspended for a time, and Ft. Jefferson could be accessed only by boat.

Hi All,

Roger, thanks for sparing my feelings regarding the trip to Ft. Jefferson and the plane crash. I was well aware of it before the trip and took the flight anyways.

I'm happy to report that the Seaplane company is completely different than the previous one that flew in the 90's. I asked our pilot about the crash and he said that the previous company had inadequate pilots and several other unfortunate incidents. None of them made headlines but word got out.

There is an option to spend 5 hrs on the island but it will cost you an extra $ 100. I opted for 2.5 hours and was able to take the pictures I wanted. However, the time seemed to race by.

It was a terrific trip and one that I won't forget. Studying this portion of the conspirators' incarceration has been a blast. As many folks have mentioned, Bob Summers' site is fantastic. He is a very nice man and happens to be the great grandson Dr. Mudd.