Back in 2007and 2008, we received some seemingly definite reports of a foul bottom and shallower than expected depths on the upstream portion of Five Fathom Creek, northeast of marker #20. For that reason, we removed these waters from our South Carolina Anchorage Directory. Now, as you will read below, Captain Thomason has had a much different and better experience dropping the hook here.
Has anyone else tried to anchor on the upstream portion of Five Fathom Creek lately? If so, PLEASE tell us what you found. Either e-mail me at CruisingWriter@CruisersNet.net, or click on the “Comment on This Posting/Marina/Anchorage/Bridge” link below.

I don’t see Five Fathom Creek anchorage on the cruisers net list. We have anchored there (Upstream from the red 20 on Five Fathom Creek) several times, most recently on September 23. It’s fun to watch the shrimp fleet go by on Town Creek but no problem with wakes. As I recall, depth was about 10 feet MLW. Beautiful sunset!
Jean Thomason
Trawler DOVEKIE

On November 23rd, 2009 we anchored in same spot as `Dovekie’ (message above posted Sept.2009). No problems with depth – it was about 9 feet MLW (we draw 5′). We did not find a foul bottom – all clear on the anchor. Good holding for us even though we were swinging to the current. As with `Dovekie’ watching the shrimp boats go by is very nice, they are quiet with very little wake.
Beth Bauer, S/V Adagio

Whiteside Creek lies just off the South Carolina AICW, several miles north of the Waterway’s intersection with Charleston Harbor. The marshy shores do not give the best of protection in really heavy weather, as noted below, but otherwise, this is a good overnight haven.

We anchored here and also found the current a little challenging. There was a sailboat anchored in the 11′ sounding area so we went around the bend to the 13′ area. Two attempts to set our Danforth were unsuccessful. The wind, tide and rain didn’t help our efforts. We retreated to the area between the 38′ and 11′ soundings and were able to get a good anchor set. We too rode strangely with the wind/current situation. Northerly winds remained at 15+ with gusts so not much sleep that night. The Danforth held ok and was tough to unset. In all three sailboats rode out the evening here. In less windy conditions it would be a great spot to anchor.
D&D
s/v Ninkasi

Click Here To View the South Carolina Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For Whiteside Creek

We love McClellanville. Wandering its old, sand covered streets is like taking a step back, some might say “far back,” in time. Leland Oil Company marina is certainly a bit on the minimalist side.

We stayed one night at Leland Oil Co on Oct. 26th, 2009. The dockmaster put us at the floating dock next to the shrimp boats. It is tricky at low tide with my Irwin 46 Ketch’s 6 ft. keel but did not run aground at mid tides in and out. We walked the nearby street but did not see any part of the town. The stop was part of a 332 mile uneventful 8 day trip from Dowry Creek Marina in Belhaven, NC to Charleston, SC. Our only problem the entire trip was fishermen with nets. They had them stretched almost entirely across the ICW at the Sunset Beach pontoon bridge (MM 337.9). We did catch one in our prop while waiting for the bridge to open,and drifted into the shallows and had to call SeaTow to get off the bottom and call a diver to get the net off the prop.
Charles and Jo Ann
S/V Osprey

Click Here To View the South Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Leland Oil Company Marina

The South Santee River, south of Minim Creek, is only one of several good anchorages between Winyah Bay and McClellanville. You might want to also check out the overnight havens listed in the “South Carolina Anchorage Directory” (/category/anchorages-icw-belle-isle-sullivans-island/) for the anchorages we list on the North Santee River.

Spent a very nice evening at anchor here. No traffic to speak of. Just three other cruising boats. Use the proper scope and the currents are not problem. I found the holding ground to be very good.
HB Koerner

Click Here To View the South Carolina Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For South Santee River

Whiteside Creek is one of many deep streams that offer good, even in not ultra-sheltered, anchorage directly off the AICW between Winyah Bay and Charleston Harbor. And, yes, Captain Emerson is quite correct that this whole region suffers from strong tidal currents, but, hey, that’s pretty much the rule in all of coastal South Carolina and Georgia.

We anchored here and liked the location but found the current somewhat challenging. We anchored just north of the 23′ sounding in the chartlet (the indicated location, near the 11′ sounding, is not a great choice) and had plenty of room to swing in. As did two other 40’+ boats. The problem was we were caught in a wind vs. current situation and rode strangely all night. The hook held well, but the amount of current is worth noting.
Rick Emerson

Click Here To View the South Carolina Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For Whiteside Creek