Cuba

Notes from Cuba Straits, a Doc Ford novel by Randy Wayne White


Books, Music, Movies

One Fathom Above Sea Level is a fictional book written by Tomlinson, a character in this book. page 65.
The Windward Road: Adventures of a Naturalist on Remote Caribbean Shores - Dr. Archie Carr
The Pride of Havana: A History of Cuban Baseball by Roberto Gonzalez Echevarria
Omara Portuondo, YouTube playlist


Key West

Bum Farto, Key West Fire Chief, disappeared in 1975, page 61

Kermit "Shine" Forbes (1916-2000)
Boxer and sometimes Earnest Hemingway's sparring partner

Key West Cemetery contains the resting place of Hemingway’s friend and fishing captain, “Sloppy Joe” Russell, and sparring partner Kermit “Shine” Forbes. Another plot pays homage to sailors killed in the explosion of the U.S.S. Maine.

Magic Penny Water Taxi, Key West, Florida, page 60

Fat Albert over Cudjoe Key, page 81

Sand Key Light - Ewen Roberts

Cuba

Granma, OFFICIAL VOICE OF THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF CUBA CENTRAL COMMITTEE
Not mentioned in the book, just something I stumbled over.

José Martí (1853 – 1895)
Cuban National Hero & Poet

María Borrero de Luján (1883-1945) poet, page 192

Gregorio Fuentes (1897-2002), First Mate of the Pilar - The Cuban History

Meyer Lansky (1902 – 1983)

Gangster

Raúl Corrales Forno  (1925 – 2006)
Photographer

El Monstruo, Great White shark caught in 1945

Casa del Científico, Havana, Cuba

Staircase inside Casa del Científico, Havana, Cuba

Baseball

In the 1930's US Marines introduced baseball to Nicaragua & Masagua. The names of manufacturers of baseball equipment like Wilson, Rawlings, Spalding, MacGregor and Louisville became popular noms de guerre in the American espionage community. Page 53.

Havana Sugar Kings versus Minneapolis Millers

The Pride of Havana: A History of Cuban Baseball by Roberto Gonzalez Echevarria

Luis Tiant Sr. (1906-1976) and Luis Tiant Jr.
The Lost Son of Havana (film)

Slum dwellings just outside El Gran Stadium in Havana, Cuba, 1954, Mark Kauffman, Life Magazine

Spy Stuff

KGB Emblem
'a silver shield transected by a tiny ornate sword.  Atop the sword's hilt was a star.', page 79

Brunswick Tactical 8.5 meter rigid hull boat, page 79

Bahamas
Bethells, page 81:

Flamingo Cay Lodge, Andros Island, Bahamas

Early Settlers of the Bahamas and Colonists 
of North America, page 187 

Flamingo Cay was acquired by the Bethell Family in the 1920’s. Charles W.F. Bethell maintained the property for waterfowl shooting in the 1950’s and was host to The Duke of Windsor and other celebrities. Grandson and current owner/operator Charles B.M. Bethell III, restored the existing camp and has developed a unique sporting destination for waterfowl and flats fishing enthusiasts. - Flamingo Cay Rod & Gun Club

The Flamingo Cay Lodge is in the middle of the West Side National Park which occupies the entire western half of Andros Island, which is the largest island in the Bahamas.

There is a Flamingo Cay, but it is not much more than a sand bar. The name has been been appropriated by the lodge.

I presume from the reference in the story, it's long time existence and its location that the house was used on occasion by the CIA.