Into The Chesapeake
15 October 2014 | Worton Creek, Md.
Partly Cloudy, Temp 75F, wind SE@15-20, gusts to 25
Farmers Market in Chestertown, Md.
By the time we got underway from Barnegat, we were second last in a parade of nine boats heading out and down the coast. By days end we were anchoring in Cape May where, by the time the last straggler came in, we were in a fleet of 15 cruisers.
It is not a comfortable anchorage in anything but calm winds, as the currents run through the anchorage. So for half the night, we were held by the current and across the wind, with more than a gentle rocking. In the morning, after listening to the forecast, we decided to head into a marina, and were tucked in just as the driving rain began. So we spent a stormy day doing the usual chores, laundry, buy a few supplies, and short walks between the rain showers.
Utches Marina is well equipped to keep a storm-stayed sailor entertained, and by the time the day was out, I had all the new fishing gear I need for off-shore trolling for striped bass, wahoo and mahi-mahi!
With a change in the forecast, we prepared for an early morning start up Delaware Bay and into the upper reaches of Chesapeake Bay vis the C&D canal. With its strong currents, if timed properly, we can ride the currents right up the bay, through the canal and into the Chesapeake in one day, a distance of about 85 miles, for us an enormous run in one day.
Although there is a canal running from Cape May Harbor out into Delaware Bay, we can't use it as it has a bridge with 55' clearance, and we need 62'. So we have to head out around the cape, running through the charted, but un-buoyed Cape May Channel. It can be, and was, a pretty wild two hours by the time we were opposite the canal exit, just minutes from where we had been berthed. But we made it, and set sail in a close reach in 18 knots and began our charge up the Bay. With speeds of 8.5 to 9 knots we reached the canal in mid-afternoon and were through and anchoring in the Bohemia River by 1730 hrs.
Although shallow, we found a nice anchorage and enjoyed shrimp (fresh and delicious) and grits, a southern favorite. Monday, we motored around and up the Sassafrass River to the towns of Georgetown and Fredericktown where we picked up a mooring and had lunch ashore.
We wandered the streets of Fredericktown, on the north shore of the river, then of Georgetown on the south, finding nothing but marinas, and over 1,000 boats, but few people.
We walked up and peered in the windows of the Kitty Knight House. During the War of 1812, it was the only house in both towns not burned by the British. Apparently when they set it afire, Kitty used a broom to beat out the flames, then scolded Admiral Cockburn and so impressed him that he left her house standing, alone in the ashes. Today it is a restaurant, but closed for the season.
In the evening we celebrated Canadian Thanksgiving with a "whatever is left" dinner of pork chops, a made-up apple-raisin stuffing, squash, and potatoes. And dessert of pumpkin pie bought at a small cafe ashore.
With a forecast for strong southerlies, we decided to see how far we could get "down the Bay". And it turned out, not too far. In fact just 8 miles when we decided beating into 20 knot winds wasn't worth the effort, so we headed in to Worton Creek where we sit anchored in squally winds with gusts to 30 knots and rain showers. But its warm, we are dry and with walks ashore will head out tomorrow in forecast light southerlies to meet Howard and Lynn Bradbrooke on Swift Current, sailing friends from Vancouver who are anchored just 10 miles south of us.
From there, gunkholing the Chesapeake as we work our way south.