The Great Dismal Swamp - Part I

Weather: Holy cow is it hot! Temp reached 97 degrees; it was calm the whole day with perhaps a wisp of a breeze on occasion; bright and sunny, even in the Dismal Swamp.

Comment:
0730 We spent another in what is becoming a long string of quiet nights at anchor. Now, we’re up and roaring to go!
0850 Anchor up and we’re underway!

The S/V SUNSHINE motored back out the Lafayette River to the Elizabeth River. The Norfolk, Portsmouth, Hampton Roads, and Newport News area seems like all one harbor with ships, tugs, barges and a zillion other type of boats moving in all directions. There are a multitude of channels from which to chose, many seem to lead one container dock or another.

To starboard, there are about a dozen cruisers anchored at Hospital Point (one is "Tally Ho") and the “0” mile marker buoy. To port, we are passing the Waterside Marina and the Nauticus Museum. Two tall ships are docked near the marina and another sailboat is on the move. She is “Shamrock,” a Cabo Rico Pilothouse sailboat hailing from Jersey City. We followed her through the Jordan Lift Bridge and the Gilmerton Bascule Bridge, not to mention a couple of Railroad bridges. RR Bridge 7, held train traffic so a tug/barge could clear it and the adjacent Gilmerton Bridge. Both bridges allowed us through before closing.

We parted ways with Shamrock a few minutes later. She proceeded to the Virginia Cut Route and we turned to starboard for the Dismal Swamp Route. There are two locks in the Great Dismal Swamp and they are operating on a limited (two times per day (0900 & 1500) as opposed to the normal four times a day) schedule because the water in Lake Drummond, the feeder lake to the canal, is low on water. We have heard that if the lake water drops another two inches, the canal will be closed. Some people have estimated that without rain, it will take a week to ten days for the water level to drop the two inches that will cause this waterway route to close (Note: the waterway was closed at the end of October and didn't reopen until late winter/early spring).

1145 It’s anchor down just outside the Deep Creek Lock. We won’t be locked through until 1500, se we have some time to kill. We’ve become pretty good at that!
1400 It’s time to prepare for the locks. Anna Marie inflated our two super fenders and we tied them and two other big fenders to the starboard side. Fore and aft lock lines were put in place and we were ready to go, but we had another forty-five minutes to kill - just enough time for a nap.
1440 “Hey, wake up down there!” said the Lockmaster in a booming voice. We were startled into action as was the crew of “Think Snow,” a Morgan Out Island 28 that was to be locked through with us.
1500 The back doors clang shut and “SUNSHINE” finds herself in the bottom of a giant bathtub. In ten minutes, the tub was filled with water and we were floating seven feet above sea level.
1515 We motor out the front doors of the giant bathtub and find ourselves in the fascinating world of the Great Dismal Swamp. On this day, with hot temps and bright sun, it’s not so dismal.

It’s a hot humid ride in the swamp today! We motored along at 5.5 mph and enjoyed the sights and what sounds we could hear above the hum of the motors. During the course of our “motor boat” ride to the North Carolina Visitor Center, we bumped submerged “stuff” on at least four occasions. It ‘s not a good feeling to hear an unexpected thump against the underwater part of the hull!

We made it to our destination in one piece and with no water in the bilges. There are four boats tied up along the face dock, so we have to raft up with one. Captain Dave of “Canvasback Too,” an O’Day 37 Center Cockpit, took our lines. Captain Dave and Larry and Fran aboard “Kallista,” a Catalina 28, are traveling together, making the trip south for the first time.

We also met Mack and Pat aboard “Wind Borne.” They 've been living aboard for six years. They reported that they love the Bahamas and have wintered there for four consecutive years, but not this year. They plan to “bounce” around Florida this winter.

The other boat, “Think Snow,” from Erie, PA, had a crew of two older gentlemen. This was the end of the trip for one. He was being replaced by the other’s spouse. Both husband and wife appear to be in the mid seventies!

We had a nice Gam on the docks of the visitor center. When we finally checked the time, it was 2100 hours! All I can say it that sailors have some great stories!

Back aboard “SUNSHINE,” I tended to the logs before hitting the sack!

After another full day on the water, we should sleep soundly tonight!