French Reef Totten Beacon Bases

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Totten Beacons were crucial aids-to-navigation in the mid-19th century, strategically placed along the length of the Florida Reef to guide vessels safely through the waters. These unlit iron posts stood tall, rising over 30 feet above the water's surface; each one uniquely identified by a letter and color combination that signaled its precise location. This model showcases two distinct iron post bases from what appear to be two different iterations of the French Reef Totten Beacon. The large iron disc on one example likely played a key role in facilitating the installation process, allowing the crew to turn and drive the shaft deep into the seafloor with ease.