A bit south of the Chesapeake, but was wondering if anyone has gone through the Great Dismal Swamp. We are looking to next year and are thinking about going south through the Great Dismal Swamp and returning north to the Chesapeake on the ICW. Any info would be appreciated.
Great Dismal Swamp
- Thread starter Easter
- Start date
Check on the openings. I understand the swamp is undergoing shallow waters and the COE is not going to fix her.
There was a company that offered overnight cruises through the swamp. The Bonnie Blue IIRC. However, they went out of business in 2007. Personally, I would rather let someone else drive.
There was a company that offered overnight cruises through the swamp. The Bonnie Blue IIRC. However, they went out of business in 2007. Personally, I would rather let someone else drive.
- Joined
- Jun 29, 2006
- RO Number
- 22065
- Messages
- 140
I went through there about 10 days ago returning to NC from the Chesapeake. There was at least 6 feet of water, but even so you must go very slow as your props can pull up logs and debris from the bottom. We did have a couple of bumps. It is a very scenic trip and there is no need to hurry anyway. If you lock through at either end at the 11:00 lock opening you will make the other end by the 3:30 lock opening and easily stay within the speed limit.
If you wish to stay overnight in the canal, you can tie up at the visitor's center which is about 3 miles north of the South Mills lock or you can tie up on the bulkhead at South Mills between the bridge and the lock. Another good choice is to anchor in the Pasquotank river between the canal and Elizabeth City. We chose to anchor behind Goat Island which gave us great protection and plenty of swing room.
It's about 18 miles from the canal to Elizabeth City, so it may be difficult to make it through the canal and to EC in one day, especially since it's getting dark earlier now. But the Pasquotant River itself is one of the highlights of the trip.
Here are some pictures from our blog of the trip:
http://island-passage.blogspot.com/
The Currituck Sound route is described earlier in the blog. This option is deeper and busier, but has scenic qualities of it's own. You will enjoy the trip.
If you wish to stay overnight in the canal, you can tie up at the visitor's center which is about 3 miles north of the South Mills lock or you can tie up on the bulkhead at South Mills between the bridge and the lock. Another good choice is to anchor in the Pasquotank river between the canal and Elizabeth City. We chose to anchor behind Goat Island which gave us great protection and plenty of swing room.
It's about 18 miles from the canal to Elizabeth City, so it may be difficult to make it through the canal and to EC in one day, especially since it's getting dark earlier now. But the Pasquotant River itself is one of the highlights of the trip.
Here are some pictures from our blog of the trip:
http://island-passage.blogspot.com/
The Currituck Sound route is described earlier in the blog. This option is deeper and busier, but has scenic qualities of it's own. You will enjoy the trip.
Thanks to all for the responses so far, looks like a nice day trip, thanks Ted for the pictures.
Ted,
Found the following on Coast Guard Documentation on the vessel Justice that may be the one pictured on your blog. Google Consolidated Shipbuilding as well.
Vessel Name: JUSTICE USCG Doc. No.: 229405
Vessel Service: RECREATIONAL IMO Number: *
Trade Indicator: Recreational Call Sign: WA6319
Hull Material: WOOD Hull Number: *
Ship Builder: CONSOLIDATED SHIPBUILDING
Year Built: 1930
Length (ft.): 72.5
Hailing Port: NEW YORK NY Hull Depth (ft.): 6.7
Owner: AZUCAR, LLC
712 FIFTH AVENUE 51ST FLOOR
NEW YORK, NY 10019 Hull Breadth (ft.): 13.5
Gross Tonnage: 46
Net Tonnage: 31
Ted,
Found the following on Coast Guard Documentation on the vessel Justice that may be the one pictured on your blog. Google Consolidated Shipbuilding as well.
Vessel Name: JUSTICE USCG Doc. No.: 229405
Vessel Service: RECREATIONAL IMO Number: *
Trade Indicator: Recreational Call Sign: WA6319
Hull Material: WOOD Hull Number: *
Ship Builder: CONSOLIDATED SHIPBUILDING
Year Built: 1930
Length (ft.): 72.5
Hailing Port: NEW YORK NY Hull Depth (ft.): 6.7
Owner: AZUCAR, LLC
712 FIFTH AVENUE 51ST FLOOR
NEW YORK, NY 10019 Hull Breadth (ft.): 13.5
Gross Tonnage: 46
Net Tonnage: 31
- Joined
- Mar 2, 2000
- RO Number
- 36
- Messages
- 6,643
We did the canal last year heading South and while it was a scenic and relaxing ride, even at slow speeds we managed to pull crap up and whack the props. That occurred a couple of times and the one that got us bad was exiting the Southern lock a bit to port. If you pull 4 feet or less you have good odds of making it through unscathed. But if you have a full keel trawler with a single that pulls perhaps 5, I'd say you have a good shot also. As they say, your mileage may vary.
It offers a slow easy ride in contrast to the normal ICW that can be a chore with sporties running hard to make up for time lost when their big pants captains can't take their big pants boats out and play in the big pants water.
Note: we pull 3.5 with diesels, and the torque seems to love to pull crap up. You can literally look at the shoreline and see the water drop next to the boat and rise again. They call it "squat"?
It offers a slow easy ride in contrast to the normal ICW that can be a chore with sporties running hard to make up for time lost when their big pants captains can't take their big pants boats out and play in the big pants water.
Note: we pull 3.5 with diesels, and the torque seems to love to pull crap up. You can literally look at the shoreline and see the water drop next to the boat and rise again. They call it "squat"?
- Joined
- Jun 29, 2006
- RO Number
- 22065
- Messages
- 140
Easter, thanks for the info on "Justice". It is a beautiful example of the wooden boat craft of the times. Someone has spent much time effort and money bringing it back to life (or keeping it in tiptop condition).
While you are down in the Albemarle, both Edenton and Manteo are worth a visit if you have the time. Please let me know if more info would be helpful and give me a shout if you make it as far as Sneads Ferry, NC.
While you are down in the Albemarle, both Edenton and Manteo are worth a visit if you have the time. Please let me know if more info would be helpful and give me a shout if you make it as far as Sneads Ferry, NC.