The Dismal Swamp Cruise - Memorial Day Weekend 2004
The Dismal Swamp Cruise
Lt/C Phillip A. Benson, S
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RMPS Participants |
The fleet prepares to lock through |
Day 1
The WayJen
launched at Sawyer Creek early to get a head start. Since top speed with a good
wind and current is about 10 knots, she needed an early start to make the lock
at South Mills in time. The Yes Dear and Sallbe
launched at approximately 0800 and traveled up the Pasquotank River at a speed
that would soon catch the WayJen. The Liberty launched sometime later and made
good speed as all four boats rafted up to wait on the lock at South Mills to
open. After passing through the lock and the associated bridge, we entered the
Dismal Swamp Canal at a leisurely 6 knots. We soon accelerated to nearly 9 knots
to stay ahead of a couple sailboats that were also attempting to make the Deep
Creek Lock at the next opening. We
briefly stopped at the Welcome Center, where they were encouraging everyone to
sign a petition to keep the Dismal Swamp Route open. After passing through the Deep Creek Lock and bridge we
traveled through the Southern Branch Elizabeth River. The main part of the
Elizabeth River took us to the Tidewater Yacht Club in Portsmouth, where we
docked for the night. Note the WayJen (the slowest boat in the
fleet) had been stopped by a police boat due to its high rate of speed and was
warned to slow down. The Sallbe was stopped by a Navy boat and
told they couldn’t take pictures in the area.
Day 2
While the WayJen got an early start the
Liberty took a tour on its own. The Yes Dear and Sallbe
took a cruise up the Elizabeth River to the James River past the Naval Base in
Norfolk. We observed several British ships, 3 carriers, and one sub at the
docks. After crossing into the Chesapeake Bay we turned around and headed back
to the Elizabeth River. Instead of turning to Deep Creek, we continued on to the
Great Bridge Lock and Bridge. We only had to wait a few minutes before it opened
and we were on our way again, down the Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal to the
North Landing River, the Currituck Sound, and Coinjock Bay. We stayed at Midway
Marina where we were joined by the Turn-a-Gain. We had 5 boats
stay that night and all 15 of us had a great dinner at Crabbies.
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Way Jen locking through |
Turn-a-Gain before Nelson's mishap |
Day 3
Early Monday morning Nelson Gainey was making an early trip
to the showers, when he fell at the marina steps. The fall resulted in a broken
leg and he and Ondra were transported to the Elizabeth City Hospital in an
ambulance. A family member took them back to Rocky Mount. Scott and Janice
Turner were left to fend with the Turn-a-Gain on their own. After
a VSC was performed on the Turn-a-Gain by Cdr Payne, the Turners
headed back to Jordan Creek. We understand they had a rough time crossing the
Albemarle Sound and spent the night at a marina near the mouth of the Alligator
River. They completed the return to Jordan Creek safely the next day. We pray
for Nelson’s speedy recovery.
The rest of us left Midway soon thereafter, down the North
River and into the Albemarle Sound. We made our way back up the Pasquotank
River, passing the dirigible factory and the Coast Guard Station. A blimp was on
the runway, but it was too far away to read the lettering on it. We stopped at
Elizabeth City for a picnic lunch and learned that Nelson had already left the
hospital and was on his way home. We soon found our way back to Sawyer Creek
where we found a rather busy launch ramp. With
a little patience we managed to get our boats back on their trailers and headed home.
RMPS Memorial Day Cruise –
The Dismal Swamp
1/Lt Lorraine B. Ryan, S
The Rocky Mount Power Squadron set
out on a 3 day cruise
Good friends, fine food and a little bit of booze
Four boats left in the sun from Camden on Saturday
morn
Headed for Portsmouth & Norfolk thru the Dismal
Swamp without nary a storm
Our fearless Commodore Chris sailed with Cathy his
wife
Leading our group through sun, wind, drizzle, and also some strife
WayJen, Sallbe, Liberty, and Yes Dear started out
Turn-a-Gain to join us in Coinjock but later they had to turn about
We saw cranes and snakes and flora throughout the
ditch
But several said, “Never again will I take this
trip”
WayJen with Wayne and Jen on board, our slowest boat and also our smallest
First got stopped by the Wildlife Patrol for
speeding which really floored us
Then on the return trip, but this time they were stopped by the
Coast Guard
For a Safety Check they said but their engine they marred
In Norfolk a Navy Patrol boat stopped Sallbe for taking some pix
“I was snapping the cruise ship “ Betsy said with some lip
Ryan was great crew on Phil’s boat, Sallbe
He towed the lines, moored the boat, and the pilings
he fended
The speed demon of the group was the Liberty boat
With Kendall and Kaye at the helm, they stayed quite
afloat
Tidewater Yacht was our marina in Portsmouth, we liked
it a lot
Never crossed over to Norfolk, we were able to hear the loud music, it was hot
We cruised up the broad James River to view the naval
shipyard
No pictures were taken this time, there were too many Navy patrol boat guards
We even went up into the beautiful Chesapeake Bay
So that Phil and Sally could have bragging rights to
say they made it this way
The sailors met us in Coinjock and all 15 of us ate at
Crabby’s
Then asleep on our boats except Lorraine in a
tent, this time she wasn’t gabby
Tragedy struck Sunday just after dawn
When Nelson slipped at the marina and broke a few
bones
Off to Elizabeth City with Ondra to cast his knee,
ankle and foot
While Scott and Janice sailed back to Jordan
Creek, their time they took
We hope that next year more will join us on this
eventful trip
An annual affair that proved to be rather hip
All of our boats and crew made it back safe and
sound to their homes
To cruise another day on the Carolina waters where we all love to roam
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Time
to cast off.
All ashore who’s going ashore. |
P/C
Nelson Gainey, P,
bravely waves as he is carried off to the hospital. |
Lorraine
relaxes in her tent. |
Page updated 06 June 2007.
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