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Western Union (schooner)
Encyclopedia
The Western Union is a historic schooner
in Key West
, Florida
, United States
. It is located in the Key West Bight at 202 William Street. On May 16, 1984, it was added to the U.S.
National Register of Historic Places
.
Built in 1939 by Thompson Enterprises, it was the last large sailing vessel built in Key West. It was leased to the Western Union Telegraph Co.
and used to check and repair the signal cable from Key West to Cuba
, as well as lay undersea telegraph cable throughout the Caribbean
.
It sails twice per day giving guests a glimpse of Key West's historic maritime past.
It is the flagship
of the city of Key West.
Schooner
A schooner is a type of sailing vessel characterized by the use of fore-and-aft sails on two or more masts with the forward mast being no taller than the rear masts....
in Key West
Key West, Florida
Key West is a city in Monroe County, Florida, United States. The city encompasses the island of Key West, the part of Stock Island north of U.S. 1 , Sigsbee Park , Fleming Key , and Sunset Key...
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It is located in the Key West Bight at 202 William Street. On May 16, 1984, it was added to the U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
.
Built in 1939 by Thompson Enterprises, it was the last large sailing vessel built in Key West. It was leased to the Western Union Telegraph Co.
Western Union
The Western Union Company is a financial services and communications company based in the United States. Its North American headquarters is in Englewood, Colorado. Up until 2006, Western Union was the best-known U.S...
and used to check and repair the signal cable from Key West to Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
, as well as lay undersea telegraph cable throughout the Caribbean
Caribbean Sea
The Caribbean Sea is a sea of the Atlantic Ocean located in the tropics of the Western hemisphere. It is bounded by Mexico and Central America to the west and southwest, to the north by the Greater Antilles, and to the east by the Lesser Antilles....
.
It sails twice per day giving guests a glimpse of Key West's historic maritime past.
It is the flagship
Flagship
A flagship is a vessel used by the commanding officer of a group of naval ships, reflecting the custom of its commander, characteristically a flag officer, flying a distinguishing flag...
of the city of Key West.