Homestead in Miami-Dade County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Ring the Biscayne Channel Sea Bell!

— Biscayne National Park —

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, March 17, 2024

1. Ring the Biscayne Channel Sea Bell! Marker

Inscription. In 1900, a bell buoy (like the one to the left) was installed in Biscayne Channel at the north end of Biscayne National Park near Key Biscayne. In clear, daytime weather, mariners could see the buoy that marked one of the primary entrances to Biscayne Bay. At night or in poor weather, rocking seas caused the bell to ring out warning of shallow water. Sometime between 1930 and 1934, the bell buoy sank at its mooring where it remained for over 80 years.

Rediscovery
The bell was initially discovered and documented by National Park Service archeologists in 1997, after which the site was routinely visited by staff to monitor for any deterioration. During a site visit in May of 2015, the bell's orientation had shifted to an upright position and was no longer stuck in the sea floor. Although potentially caused by natural deterioration, the likelihood and suspicion of attempted looting was enough to take preventative action.

Recovery
Raising a 300-pound bell from 15 feet below the surface is no easy task. Archeologists in SCUBA gear first had to raise the sunken buoy about 3 feet by attaching bags to it and filling the

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bags with air. Once the buoy was partially raised. they could raise the bell using a winch from the boat above.

Restoration
The original bronze and iron bell was immediately cleaned and placed into an electrolysis tank to stabilize it and prevent deterioration. It was fully documented, photographed and professionally restored before this replica was cast. The original is at the National Park Service's Southeast Archaeological Center in Tallahassee, Florida... protected forever.

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Historic Bells series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1900.

Location. 25° 27.858′ N, 80° 20.053′ W. Marker is in Homestead, Florida, in Miami-Dade County. It can be reached from Southwest 328th Street 2.8 miles Southwest 117th Avenue when traveling east. Located behind the Dante Fascell Visitor Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 9700 SW 328th St, Homestead FL 33033, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, March 17, 2024

2. Ring the Biscayne Channel Sea Bell! Marker

this marker is in South Florida,

on the Gold Coast,

and in Greater Miami.

It is also in the American South

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A Sudden Squall (here, next to this marker); Two Parks, Divided (a few steps from this marker); The Jones Family of Biscayne (a few steps from this marker); Maritime Heritage Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); His Majesty's Ship Fowey (within shouting distance of this marker); HMS Fowey Cannon (within shouting distance of this marker); Dante B. Fascell (within shouting distance of this marker); Hurricane Andrew (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Homestead.

Also see . . . Biscayne National Park. National

Replica Bell Bouy image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, March 17, 2024

3. Replica Bell Bouy

Park Service (Submitted on May 1, 2024.)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 1, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 29, 2024, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 232 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 30, 2024, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.