Alligator Reef

"The name honors the U.S. Navy schooner Alligator, part of the U. S. Navy Anti-Piracy Squadron that had recently been established in Key West, which went aground at this location in 1822. The Alligator was blown up after removing as much as possible from it to prevent it from being used by pirates. Countless vessels have also sunk here on the reef's jagged coral. This lighthouse cost $185,000 to build at that time. To support the tower, a 2,000 lb (900 kg) hammer was used to drive the 12" (300 mm) iron pilings ten feet (3 m) into the coral." Source: wikipedia.org "Alligator Reef is a small bank reef with some transitional reef features. It is located between the shallow reefs of the Upper Keys and the deeper, drowned reefs of the Middle Keys, and lies approximately 3.5 nautical miles (7km) southeast of Upper Matecumbe Key." It has a lighthouse that it is visible from the highway between Mile Markers 77 and 80, in a good visibility day." Source: floridakeys.noaa.gov