"April 14, ICW north through Virginia Cut 2001" Top 5 Page for this destination Norfolk Travelogue by grandmaR

We left about 7. We got to the North Landing Bridge in time for the noon opening. A power boat called DOUBLE DIPPER went through ahead of us. The next bridge (Centerville Turnpike) was supposed to be 5 miles, but was really only 3 and a bit. We could not make 5 miles in half an hour, but we could have done 3. However, all the charts said 5 miles, and so we didn't try and went through on the 1:00 pm opening.

Great Bridge Bridge

Our next obstacle was the Great Bridge Bridge and Great Bridge Lock. The lock did one locking an hour and the GBB coordinates with it. We went under the bridge and locked through the lock. This Corps of Engineers' lock which separates the salt water of the river from the fresh water of the canal.

There is a park near the lock (named after it) which is the site for the annual re-enactment of the historic Battle of Great Bridge . In 1775, American troops defeated British forces in the first battle of the Revoluntionary War fought on Virginia soil. the route through Great Bridge was the only route by which Norfolk could be approached by land. William Woodford's Virginia rifleman defended the passage. When Lord Dunmore's British regulars attempted to cross the swamp, on December 9, 1775, they were cut to pieces by the fire of the riflemen. This defeat forced Lord Dunmore to evacuate Norfolk.

The other pictures of this are under Coinjock

Mothball fleet

We saw these boats stacked along the river on the way to Norfolk.

Now we had only 3 more bridges - Steel Bridge, Gilmerton Bridge and the Jordon Lift bridge. All 3 of us sailboats went through the Steel bridge with no problem.

Sign for Dismal Swamp entrance

CADENZA didn't want to go first, and Bob decided that since we were all going to wait for whoever was slowest (i.e. SEA BONDS) that we should stay behind him. So Bob took up station beside him and was his wing man. We went by the turnoff for the Dismal Swamp.

Highway bridge in the fall

The bridge just after the turnoff to the Dismal Swamp Route is high enough that most boats don't need to have it raised. We don't need to have it opened though. If you need to have it opened you have to give 24 hours notice. I've always considered it to be a fixed bridge.

Because it was Sat. there were no restricted opening schedules for rush hour, so we didn't expect any problems with the rest of the bridges.

Sign on opening times

However, when we got to the Gilmerton bridge, the tender said they were having problems with the bridge, and there was a barge coming our way. So we circled for about a half an hour. I think the problem was the traffic gates, which were down and traffic was being held. Then the gates went up and traffic went. He didn't open the bridge until the barge was ready for it. In addition to us, SEA BONDS, and CADENZA, there was a boat with a green hull that had been tied to a dock near the bridge and some power boats. We all went through with the barge.

Old Navy ships in Norfolk

There was another barge coming up behind us, which I saw, but Bob didn't. Someone called us on the radio, and I heard it and Bob didn't - so I yelled at him to move over. I had called Waterside for a reservation, and after we went through the Jordon Lift Bridge, they said to come into the first port slip. I had figured incorrectly where the marina was, but we did find it and get tied up.

Our boat at Waterside

SEA BONDS was one slip over with a power boat between us. Waterside is a big mall type place and they have Hooters, and a food court etc. I took Waterside rather than Tidewater Yacht across the way because I thought TY was too big and too far to walk. Waterside is more compact, and a little cheaper too. We came in about 4:30 after 49.3 miles at 5.6 mph (maximum 7.5 mph) for a total of 991 nautical miles. It was pretty hectic. Lots of power boaters partying on the docks behind their boats. Drinking and loud music. The cable didn't work. They gave us ice for free because the bags had melted the cubes together - or maybe he just didn't want to bother collecting change. They let me download email in the office.

The next morning we left for a short trip to Southall Marina in
Bloxom's Corner which is a suburb of Hampton