Beacon G: French Reef

Coordinates: 25° 02.153' N / 080° 21.037' W
Depth: 5 to 10 feet

French Reef, home to the beacon labeled with the letter "G", is located 5.3 nautical miles east-southeast from Key Largo.

This is a relatively large shallow reef where a sailing vessel may begin to change course to parallel the reef. As with most reefs in the upper Keys, the area experiences mostly clear water. The site is a flat hard-bottom habitat with outcrops of reef structure located 5 to 10 feet below the surface.

The site has four main features, including two piles embedded in the seafloor and two broken beacon masts. Pile #1 is approximately 18 feet long, with 12 feet projecting above the water. Pile #2 measures approximately 6 feet high and is broken off just below the surface of the water. Pile #2 has the disc-shaped flange characteristic of the tri-vane beacon variety.

Two beacon masts lay horizontally on the seafloor. The tri-vane variety mast is 31 feet long while the other single-vane mast was 24 feet long. The single-vane mast still had its frame and portions of its letter still attached. This was the most complete original beacon documented during the project.

Biology

The survey site, a shallow reef crest back reef zone, is generally a flat hard-bottom habitat with outcrops of reef structure colonized by stony corals, soft corals, and hydrocorals. Coral cover is low throughout the survey site with the highest coral cover observed on the mid-water plating sections of the main beacon. Encrusting fire coral (Millepora alcicornis), mustard hill coral (Porites astreoides), smooth starlet coral (Siderastrea siderea), and sea fans were among the coral species on the site. Macro algae covered approximately 5% of the beacons, structures, and pilings. There were also eight species of gorgonians, six species of sponges, eight species of invertebrates and 33 species of fish recorded at the time of the survey.

Site Map

French Reef Totten Beacon Site Map

3D Models

Explore the beacon remains on the seafloor without getting wet! The images below show part of 3D models created using multi-image photogrammetry. Click an image to load the model, and then click, hold, and adjust your mouse to view the model from different angles.

French Reef Totten Beacon - Letter G Detail by Corey Macom/Mel Fisher Maritime Museum

A detailed view of the large letter "G" that once sat high above the water on the top of the French Reef Totten Beacon and denoted the location for passing mariners.

French Reef Totten Beacon Bases by Corey Macom/Mel Fisher Maritime Museum
This model shows two iron post bases that appear to be two different versions of the French Reef Totten Beacon. The large iron disc on one example might have helped the crew installing it to turn and auger the shaft into the seafloor.

French Reef Totten Beacon G, Florida Keys by Corey Macom/Mel Fisher Maritime Museum
The iron post of a Totten Beacon, with a large "G" attached, was found submerged at French Reef, Florida Keys.