Note: this post is image intensive
I mentioned in an earlier post that I spent this years Valentine's Day being tourists in San Francisco with the boyfriend (very romantic, eh?). This post I'll be sharing the pics I took that day while on Alcatraz island and provide the captions for your reading pleasure/displeasure (your pick).
Approaching the dock on Alcatraz onboard the Hornblower.
We arrived on the island at noon and were excited to start the tours. Since the night before, the bay area was being whipped by high winds that made the bay waters very choppy (we got a little sea sick waiting for the boat to leave Pier 33). It had been years since the boyfriend had been to Alcatraz and it was my first time. Stepping onto the island, I immediately felt the imposing nature of the decaying prison fortress grounds. The elements had reduced the exteriors of all the buildings to drab grey tones and sea water might have caused the rusty stains that were on every surface. Even in the middle of the day the place was kinda scary looking.
Finally got to see the graffiti from the occupation in real life.
There were indications all over the island of the Native American occupation in the 1970's. The NPS decided to keep all marks as it was a vital part of the history of Alcatraz. It was kinda fun trying to look for other evidence in the buildings.
This is our exterior grounds tour guide who's name I forgot. Sorry
He told us in excruciatingly detailed stories of how several prisoners tried to escape the "rock" via the waters of the San Francisco bay (in the way grandpas are known for). Most never made a clean break (i.e. caught and dragged back) and at least one escaped permanently (i.e. moved onto the next life). The building behind the guide was the wardens personal home which was burned down during the Native American occupation.
This tiny room was the only morgue on the island.
We were told that the prison was never filled to capacity and only a handful of deaths occurred during its operation. This quickly crumbling out house is where the deceased were received and prepared (cleaned, dressed, embalmed) before being shipped to the mainland and to its final destination (you can see my reflection as I took the pic forgetting to turn off the flash, oops!).
This is what a typical prison cell looked like.
The main prison building had 350 cells and at the most housed 302 inmates while in operation as a federal prison. You can see a small seat and a small table top in the right edge of the picture. And as you can see, you go bathroom right where you sleep. Its not as bad as the stripped down cell known as the "Oriental" were there was nothing but a hole in the ground for prisoners to go bathroom. The guards were the ones who chose if the prisoners "waste" was flushed down the hole. They were also not allowed any clothing or bedding; a bedroll was offered at night and was taken away at 6 AM. This punishment was only to be endured for 2 days maximum; supposedly the inmates feared this the most. (I'm starting to get that "icky" feeling in the pit of my tummy. The "rock" is starting to get to me)
This block contained the solitary confinement cells.
Interior shot of the solitary confinement cells.
In comparison to the regular cells, these cells were roomy. They were furnished with bedding, a toilet and sink but inmates had to endure it in complete darkness. Imagine having to endure that and comply with the prisons 24 hour silence rule they enforced during the early days. It will drive you insane.
One of only 4 cells that received the afternoon sun everyday.
We were told that these cells were the most highly desired as the lighting kept prisoners who lived in there happy and more content than any other. When the wind was right, the sounds of daily life in downtown San Francisco were carried straight into these cells as this part of the prison was directly across. On New Year's night the prisoners there would also be treated to the lights of the fireworks celebration that were at the piers. The lucky few would be treated to the sounds of parties, music and the laughter of women.
The view of the city from the prison wardens office and guards control room.
San Francisco was so close but yet so far away. Supposedly, no prisoners ever saw this view from the island. It would probably be one of the more cruelest punishments on Alcatraz. I don't know if I could bare it.
The painted plaster head of either Frank Morris or John Anglin.
View of the corridor between cells where the 1962 escapees entered.
4 inmates attempted to escape one evening after a year of preparations. Allen West, Frank Morris, John and Clarence Anglin managed to get materials to dig out the water damaged concrete around a vent located in their cell into an unguarded utility corridor (West was the only one to not leave his cell). They made dummy heads to stand in for them as they made their escape under the cover of night (did you see those plaster heads?). They made an inflatable raft out of raincoats. Supposedly they aimed for Angel Island but new research surfaced suggesting they actually made it to Marin. People have claimed to have been contacted by the Anglin brothers but Morris has never been heard from again. If anyone knows what happened or where they are there is still a $1 million award offered.
The kitchen knife cupboard to keep track of the knives.
The inmates had 20 minutes to eat their meals after they had time to clean themselves and their cells and after being counted. Afterwards they were marched out and given their days work assignments. This schedule was unrelenting, unforgivable and never changed the entire time the prison was active.
An unmarked military plane that circled the island while we were leaving.
So that was what we did for our super "romantic" day of fun. It may seem funny to you but we did enjoy this outing, we will be challenged to think of something quirky for next year. This Alcatraz trip was a serious goal for both of us after living in the San Francisco area for so long and not finding the right time to do it. On the way out we got a tin cup souvenir to take home as we saw the humor in the item.
At the conclusion of this post this also marks the end of our time traveling journey into my recent past. Now that we are all caught up it's time to move forward. Hopefully, I'll be more attentive to my blog and to your bloggy needs gentle reader. Thanks for the company, much appreciated.
Back to our regularly scheduled program,
Su
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