We checked out of Bluewater Yachting Center in Hampton VA early and headed south into the Norfolk harbor that contains the largest naval base in the world. True to that, we saw many naval ships docked along the way, a most amazing sight.
Not to omit that there were also many commercial vessels moving in the harbor. Lots of moving parts but not quite as busy as New York harbor during rush hour!
Shanghai container ship headed to Baltimore. The story of our economy.
US Navy patrol boats were everywhere guarding our assets
An Army Corps of Engineers ship was here too
We have no idea what these cranes are for but they remind Jeff of Star Wars
Further south, we entered the narrow Virginia Cut channel that will take us to Albermarle Sound and beyond. There are numerous bridges along the way, the first of which is the Beltline Railway Lift Bridge - normally open.
The bridge; however, was closed
While waiting for the bridge to open, we got to view a new aircraft carrier under construction in the Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, also guarded by a Navy police boat. Jeff spent a couple of weeks there on the USS Requin in 1963. (P.S. Neala was 10 at the time!)
However, today as luck would have it, we waited for almost an hour doing circles in the freezing wind while two of the slowest moving trains one could imagine leisurely crossed the bridge. Finally, we continued, and on to the Jordan Highway Lift Bridge, the Norfolk & Western Lift Bridge, the Gilmerton Bascule Bridge, the Norfolk & Southern Bascule Bridge, the Highway Bascule Bridge, the Dominion Boulevard Bridge whereupon we arrived at the Great Bridge Lock.
Gilmerton Bridge and the Norfolk & Southern Bascule Bridge
After the 34 locks of the Erie Canal this little 2.5 ft drop was a piece of cake! We continued on under the Great Bridge Bascule Bridge.
Great Bridge, it turns out, is quite significant in US history. It derives its name from the American Revolutionary War battle of 1775. The Battle of Great Bridge changed the course of history. The complete defeat of the British allowed the militia to capture Norfolk and give the Americans a naval base from which to harry the British. This battle ended the rule of the British Crown in Virginia! Amazing what you can learn on a cruise from Pennsylvania down to Florida.
Tonight we are tied up at the Atlantic Yacht Basin, where we chanced to encounter the yacht Black Knight - the New York Yacht Club committee boat for the 1983 America's Cup, where we lost the cup to the Aussies. This exquisite yacht is currently owned by a European family and is underway to the Bahamas. Surely, the most beautiful varnish work we have ever seen!
Alas, during the day our GPS died and we had to resort to backups for navigation. Here's Jeff diving the Lazarette in search of the elusive GPS cable (Note the Bombay Sapphire & Tonic in hand).
Later this evening we had a wonderful meal of grilled chicken breasts, grilled Romaine hearts and cauliflower au gratin. Accompanied with a fine, old vine red Zin.
Neala enjoying dinner
Complemented by oranges, blueberries & pecans drizzled with Lavender Balsamic Vinegar from our tasting adventure in Annapolis
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