Description:
The photograph was taken at the Western Union's dock in Key West, Florida
The Western Union was built to service undersea telegraph cables. She was owned by Thompson Enterprises of Key West, Florida and leased to the Western Union Telegraph Company from 1939 to 1974. She was purposefully built for Western Union as an auxiliary cable laying schooner. From 1974 until 1984 the Western Union was restored, preserved and operated by a group of Key West businessmen and maritime historians. In 1984 the Western Union was purchased by Vision Quest and renamed the New Way. The ship was used in a program to help troubled adolescents learn honor, self-discipline and a work ethic. In 1997 she returned to Key West and her original name was restored. The Schooner Western Union has spent the last ten years offering day sails, sunset sails and private charters under the stewardship of Historic Tours of America.
The Schooner Western Union is being prepared to open as a maritime museum. This working museum will be open to the public for sailing tours as well as dock tours. The Schooner Western Union Maritime Museum tours will include historical information about the schooner and its original purpose, the maritime lifestyle of its crew, and the historical importance of the maritime economy to the Florida Keys.
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