Dismal Swamp Canal

From CruisersWiki

The Dismal Swamp canal route to Abermale Sound is a scenic alternative to the more travelled Currituck Sound route.

In the canal you can tie up and spend the night at either lock, the Visitor Center (around 3 miles north of the South Mills lock on the southern end of the canal.) Or at the government dock around 4 or 5 miles south of Deep Creek lock on the northern end. (Room for one boat.)

South of the canal entrance, around 18sm is Elizabeth City. The city dock is free for 48 hours. And several helpful locals, including Sam a WWII Battle of Okinawa veteran hang around and offer help to visiting boaters. The local supermarket also offers free pick up and drop off from the dock. If there are more than 4 visiting boats a cheese and wine reception is helf for the visiting crews.

Charts

Please provide a good map or chart that clearly shows details (depths, where to dock, scale etc.) of the harbor.

Give charts applicable to this port or refer to a Chart section of another page (Country or Region) that lists the charts.

Source

Chart Number - Chart Name

Chart Number - Chart Name

Source

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Weather

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Sources for Weather forecasts:

Passages

List popular passages/routes, timing, etc.

Communication

Also see World Cruiser's Nets.

Navigation

Provide any navigation notes especially any dangers or peculiar local conditions here.

Passage through the Canal

Canal

The locks open at 8:30, 11:00 and 3:30 every day. There is a 12ft change in depth each way. Prepare fenders on your port side, and 25 ft of line on bow and stern cleats (pass the bitter end to the lock master who will extend a boat hook.) If they are filling the lock, being the first boat in will expose you to the most turbulence - try and stay back if you can.

The depths are usually 8-9 feet in the canal but the 'controlling' depth is 6ft.

Pasquatank River

This is narrow and winding at the northern end, but has plenty of depth. Just stay in the middle and keep an eye out for logs. There is a lifting bridge just north of Elizabeth city. He opens on the half hour during rush hour, or on demand at other times.

Friends

Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.

Forums

List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)

Links

• Dismal Swamp Canal at the Wikipedia

References

Books, Guides, etc. Use the Reference template or not at your discretion. For example:

{{Reference|Rod Heikel|Greek Waters Pilot|Imray Laurie and Wilson, Cambridgeshire|9780852889718}}, expands to

Rod Heikell, Greek Waters Pilot Imray, Laurie and Wilson, Cambridgeshire, ISBN 9780852889718

• Author, Title, Publisher, ISBN ISBN number
• Author, Title, Publisher, ISBN ISBN number

You may want to remove the above entries and use instead a link to the Country or Region that lists the relevant references. If so enter, after removing {{MagentaText|xx}}, the following:

See [[Country or Region#References_&_Publications|Coutry or Region]].

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Comments

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Names: Lighthouse