3rd - 15 Dec 2012 - Deltaville, VA to Charleston, SC & heading South at last
Nimue
Sat 15 Dec 2012 21:19
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Despite a productive time in Deltaville, we both felt more than relieved
to be on our way again. We had to use the ‘iron topsail’ for the 50
nm trip south down the Chesapeake to Norfolk, but it was a good test to ensure
everything was working correctly on Nimue. Fortunately, all went well and
if anything, she seemed a little quicker through the water! As we
approached the Elizabeth River in Norfolk, it was getting dark and as we drifted
closer to some of the US Naval ships, blue flashing lights appeared and it was a
launch to ensure we didn’t get too close! We were greeted by Gary &
Greta (OCC) who safely guided us to their dock by
flashlight!. A couple of days good R&R and rather than waiting for a
weather window to go round Cape Hatteras, we decided to take the usual ICW route
south; first stop Great Bridge (we managed to take a free slip on the south side
of the bridge). Despite making good daily passages, we still ended up at
the same anchorage stops as last year. We ended up at Oriental having to
wait until the next morning, as we needed it to be low water to go underneath
the fixed 65ft bridge approaching Beaufort, as we had worked out that the air
draft would be too low for Nimue to safely pass underneath. As we left
Oriental the fog was coming and going, but as we safely cleared the bridge, we
came into thick, thick fog. Although we have a chart plotter, we usually
follow pilotage in harbour areas and as we were coming to a tricky part of the
entrance to Beaufort, the visibility reduced to less than 100ft. This
required our full attention, so I directed Michael to steer a course to each of
the channel markers. We came through unscathed and managed to find a
suitable anchorage in the Taylor River, followed by a rum coffee!
After a couple of days, a warning of strong wind and rain was
forecast, so we decided to treat ourselves and take a slip at Beaufort Docks
marina for a couple of nights. This was a good move, as we were allowed
use of their car, albeit for only an hour at a time, but we managed to get
loaded up with provisions!
With low after low appearing at this time of year, we took the
opportunity of leaving at the back end of one of the lows, which gave us
approximately 40 hours to get down to Charleston before another forecasted
low. We left early at the end of the flood tide in quite a blow, but
fortunately there was minimal swell out of the inlet! Due to the recent storm,
the seas were quite lumpy, but in no time were were reefed down and on our
way. We sailed half the 220 nm down to Charleston and Nimue performed to
her usual comfortable
standard. |