Western Union Schoon - Conch Train Tour

[Thumper1]

I just called the Disney Excursion desk and they were basically helpless. I know the members of this board know way more.

If I do the Western Union Schooner excursion in Key West at 12:10, will there be enough time to do the Conch Train or Old Town Trolley afterward? I'm going on the December 7th Western Caribbean.

Thank in advance for your assistance!

 

[snelsonbrown]

the conch train takes an hour and a half for the tour of Key west - if you will email me, I will be glad to send you pamplets, coupons, maps etc about Key West - I was born and raised there so I know quite a bit about my hometown.
You can write me at snelsonbrown@aol.com
always
Shirley

 

[Buckaroo's Dad]

Yes, Thumper, you will have plenty of time. My son and I went on the Western Union Schooner. It was terrific. Perhaps with all the events which have transpired both in and out of our country in the past year +, I take more pride in experiencing a registered national historic landmark such as the Western Union Schooner. The captain and crew are more than willing to provide you with as much information as you desire about the ship and its history. After the passengers assisted in a raising of the sails, my son and I strolled to the bow of the ship. My usually-rather-quiet DS9 started conversing with one of the crew members. She let him help her set the lines and do other tasks WITH her. They talked about the schooner, fishing, knots and her adventures at sea. He had a wonderful time learning AND playing!

Wishing you a terrific cruise.

 

[prymsu]

my family has done the conch train, and we really enjoyed seeing all the highlights of Key West this way. On foot, there would have been no way that we could have done this in the day that we were there last year.

 

[snelsonbrown]

A little history about the western Union - this boat was owned by Western Union and the Caption was Capt Dick Steadman who was also known by Capt. Cigar, who always had a cigar hanging out of his mouth - the Western Union would go between Key West and Cuba to repair the cable lines - The Steadman family held this position for nearly a century - the school children of long ago, including myself, had the privilege to go aboard the Western union for a "short" trip - was it memorable OH YES - the first mate was Norman' neighbor from the stomping grounds of Grinnell Street - I have a large picture of the Western Union taken sometime in the early 40's - the ol'd conchs still talk about the Western union and its history - it is no longer owned by Western Union and it is no longer run by any of the old conchs - sad.
Anyhow another tidbit about Key West and now you know the real story.
Always
Shirley

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

Originally posted by snelsonbrown

the ol'd conchs still talk about the Western union and its history - it is no longer owned by Western Union and it is no longer run by any of the old conchs - sad.

I'm surprised you find this sad, Shirley. As old as that boat must be, if Western Union no longer had any use for it, it would probably have been sunk as an artificial reef somewhere. I think it's neat that somebody, even if they're not conchs, appreciated the old conchs' sense of history and attachment to this boat and was willing to sink the big bucks in it to restore and maintain it. Yeah, it's not the same, but I always appreciate people, even if they're outsiders, who will renovate and maintain the beautiful things and bring them back to use. (There are a couple of landmarks in Atlanta that come to mind.)

Just my thoughts. Hope you and Normie are doing well.

Hugs!!!

 

[snelsonbrown]

Hey dere my buddy,
I guess I find it sad simply because my mind wanders to waaaaay back when - my youngest uncle use to work for Western Union as a delivery boy and he was allowed to take me on his bike to do the telegram deliveries - my father was very good friends with the Steadmen's and that is one of the reasons I was able to go aboard as I did and Norm also - the only reason I sometimes feel sad is that so much of the real Key West is gone and a lot of the history is lost - I am glad that the Western Union still "lives" even tho it is not the same with Capt. Cigar gone and no longer as it once was, BUT then NOTHING stays the same forever - thanks for your imput - it brings me back to the state of reality and you are very right that at least it does still exists.
Take care and hugssssssss back to ya.
Luv ya
your buddy
Shirley