Has Anybody Done the Great Dismal Swamp Canal

[ITMaster]

I am wondering if anyone has been in The Great Dismal Swamp Canal and gone through the locks. I have heard that this is something that can be a fantasic experience that is one that will be remembered. Additionally, I have heard the the water is rich with tanic acid that virtually removes any marine organisims which may have accumulated on the underwater parts of the boat. Anyone out there with any experiences? Any bridge openings to be concerned with or other cautions to be exercised?

Thanks, Tom

 

[Ed Schenck]

Yep, summer of 2007.

We left Norfolk after a fog lifted with way too many other boats. There were big wakes from cruisers racing ahead only to be queued up at the next bridge. So when we reached the point of the "Right Turn to the Dismal Swamp" we bid good-bye on the radio and turned to starboard.

Turns out that a boat at the first lock heard our radio message and returned with "you missed the 0900 lock opening, next one is at 1500". Heck, we went anyway and are really glad that we did. The second and only other lock is about five hours away and naturally did not open until 0900 the next morning. We could have rafted up at the visitor's center, about halfway between the locks. But we chose to tie up at the wall of the lock. There is a bridge just after the southern lock and you have to wait for that. The same fellow runs both and has to drive down to the bridge from the lock.

As interesting as the passage was I the history of the area was most fascinating. The canal was dug by hand by slaves who were borrowed from the nearby plantations. Much of the land once belonged to George Washington. So it really is a ride back through history.

The picture is while we were anchored waiting for the 1500 opening. Two of us dinghied to shore and walked to town for some groceries.

 

[sailaway78]

Don't miss it

Don't miss the Great Dismal Swamp route. You need to make sure there is enough water in there, but with all the rain the area is having I can't imagine there not being enough water in there. It's history is very interesting, and at times you can almost imagine being back in those times. Although Hwy. 17 runs right along side, it appears you are in a total wilderness. The locks are a snap to go through, and the bridges are not a problem, although the times have to be taken into consideration. A cruising guide is a big help, and there are several available. I think Skipper Bobs is considered the best of them. Also keep your eyes open for the old superintendents house. It is still standing, even though pretty run down. Around the half way point, can't remember exactly where.

 

[Ross]

Tom, An email from friends:

We stayed at Bluewater Yachting Center until monday, so we could say hi to all our friends we worked with there last year. That afternoon we finished the last of three small rigging jobs for folks waiting to sail in the Carribean 1500, and headed out into Hampton Roads. It was an easy sail to Norflolk. The wind was ESE at 5-10 knots, and only lasted until we reached the main shipping channel into Norfolk. We motored the rest of the way through, and anchored in late twilight in a favorite little basin two miles shy of the first lock on the Dismal Swamp Canal.

Tuesday morning, we motored to the lock to catch the 8:30 lift. It turned out that our favorite locktender was not working that day, but when we asked about him, the tender for the day, George, invited us to come in for coffee and doughnuts.

We stayed in the lock until just before the next locking, then puttered back and forth between the lock and the bridge waiting for the next batch of boats to come up (the locktender operates both the bridge and the lock).

Once through the bridge, we stopped for groceries in the town of Deep Creek, then followed after the boats that went before us. We arrived at the North Carolina welcome center (just like being on the highway, with free parking for boats overnight) just after 4pm, the last boat down the canal that day.

The next morning we made the 8:30 lock down to the Pasquatank river, and a few hours later arrived in Elizabeth City. We spent the rest of the day at the free city docks, meeting fellow migrating sailors and carving our Halloween pumpkin.

With their names omitted I am sure they won't mind.
Ross

 

[ITMaster]

Thanks So Much

For your responses. Much appreciated. It sounds like a must do thing and like there should be very little trouble to expect. Being as close to it as we are, it would be a shame not to take advantage of it. Since we are, it is fortunate that we can pick almost any time to do this.

Has anyone heard anything about the effect of the tanic acid in the water and any advantages or disadvantages of it? I am curious about this. I have heard that it will remove any growth of marine stuff that accumulates on the hull and prop.

Thanks again, Tom

 

[ITMaster]

Ross

I work right across from Bluewater Yacht Center on the other side there at the water front. I'll have to look up your friends if they come back to work there again. There is also another yachting centre there right next to Bluewater, the Hampton Yacht Club. In fact there are many more sailboats at HYC than Bluewater. It is an old long time established sailing center with lots of folks that are big time into racing. They have races every Wednesday afternoon and Saturday morning. It is quite the site to see over 100 sailboats rush out of the marina at once to get out to the markers to get started on the mark. They all wait until the opportune time to make the dash for the starting line and it is a hoot to watch.
There is a North Sail loft there alos and a lot of opportunity for talented folks to find work on a boat to do.
Thanks again, Tom

 

[Ed Schenck]

Tanic acid?

Not sure that I ever heard about the properties of that acid. I can attest that it is there, the water is very brown in places. Another section looked like a very large putting green, miles long. Maybe you can see that in the attached picture.

I'll be pulling the boat in a couple of weeks. But I doubt that after a year I could attribute anything to tanic acid.

 

[Ross]

Tannic acid is the extract from tree bark used in

tanning hides to make leather. It is also the color in tea.
Tom ,My friends spendt the winter one year at Blue Water because they were late leave from up here. So the worked for Bule Water and came back north in the spring. They were live aboards on a 27 O-Day.

 

[RichH]

Tannins

Tannic acid, not really; but rather, tannins are the decomposition products of wood and leaf cells.

If your gelcoat is porous and not sealed with wax, etc. the tannins will penetrate the porosity and you will get a 'brown moustache' on your boat's bow. Wax will prevent the 'moustache' and a oxalic acid will bleach/remove it.

A well buffed out gelcoat that removes the surface oxidation and that is sealed with wax is virtually immune to the penetration of 'tannins'. When you apply wax dont simply wipe on and 'smear it around'; but rather' push it INTO the gelcoat to last longer.

 

[letterman]

I'd give it a D+

The West end of the Erie canal is much better. Then comes the East end of the canal. Then, a distant last, is the Dismal Swamp Canal.

 

[Ross]

Ahh Letterman , your sentiments are valid BUT

you can't get from the Chesapeake bay to Pamlico Sound by way of the Eire Canal. ;D

 

[Buck2796]

Uh Ross,

Actually from the Ches Bay via the Dismal Swamp you get to the Albemarle Sound . You then have to traverse the Albemarle Sound past Roanoke I. to get to the Pamlico Sound.
And RichH ... I agree w/ everything you said except "Wax will prevent the 'moustache'" . I've taken my boat down the Dismal w/ a fresh coat of wax and STILL gotten the moustach. It's like motoring thru coffee, although I wouldn't drink it .

 

[Ross]

Buck, you can get from Albany NY to Duluth MN

By way of the Erie Canal but you can't get to Albemarle Sound from Duluth without the Dismal Swamp Canal unless you go off shore. The same holds true for Pamlico Sound. So I don't care what Letterman thinks of the ditch, it is there and the choice is simple; use it or go outside. ;D

 

[RichH]

ummmmm Ross .....

There are TWO canals in that area: The ICW ("Virginia Cut") AND the Dismal Swamp Canal. The Virginia Cut is where all the commercial traffic is; and, the Dismal Swamp is only (now) traversed by pleasure craft. So, you dont need to travel the Dismal Swamp and can still make it to the Albemarle without going 'outside' .... just use the 'ICW ditch'.

 

[sailaway78]

Alternative

There is an alternative route, besides the Great Dismal Swamp. Don't remember what it is called offhand, and haven't been through it, but there is another way to go without going offshore. When it's real dry, there isn't enough water in the Dismal Swamp for safe passage. If the Swamp doesn't have enough water in it, you can still get to the same place without the offshore jaunt. Mileage is pretty close to the same, but most do the Swamp as long as there is enough water in it. When coming south out of Norfolk, you take a right to the Great Dismal Swamp route, and hang a left for the alternate.

 

[Ross]

Sorry about all of that but Letterman still can't get

from the Chesapeake Bay to the waters of North Carolina by way of the Eire Canal.!!! ;D

 

[Allan R]

Virginai Cut

is what I believe the alternate route to the dismal Canal is called.

 

[MacMikey]

The Dream...Tic Toc....Tic Toc

I have not yet cast off my lines but have been planning the trip of my dreams...the loop. In doing so, the Swamp Route is on my must see list along with a stop in Charleston, SC to see where the Ashley and Cooper Rivers meet to from the Atlantic Ocean....*Smile Here*(;>)

 

[letterman]

what I should have said

The GDS is boring. However, if you have to choose that route over another, then by all means take it.
As for canals that I have been through, then I choose the Erie Canal West for its scenery and beauty. However, I like the pics of most of the canals in Europe and would like to do them someday.