On Tuesday, May 22, we received a much appreciated note from Captain Jeffrey Siegel of ActiveCaptain.com, which warned of two trees which had fallen across the Dismal Swamp Canal. By the time this message was opened only a few hours after receipt, the SSECN was also directly copied on a reply from Donna Stewart, Director of the Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center, to Captain Siegel. Donna’s original note is reproduced below.

Thank you for the notice, we had not been contacted. I just spoke with my ACOE contact at 4:10pm. The Elizabeth II was brought into the Canal this morning. There were two trees down at MM18 and MM21- the second being a large oak tree.
He has just called back and states they plan to be completed in about 15 mins.
We are experiencing a severe storm here as well for the past hour. Thank you for the heads up. I posted a note on your site to say the same. Unfortunately, communication lines do not always work.
Thank you,
Donna Stewart, Director
Dismal Swamp Welcome Center

Within a few minutes we posted a notice on the SSECN describing the problem and its speedy resolution. All had returned to normal on the Dismal!

Then, a few days later, Director Stewart forwarded a note authored by Captain Norman Loev, describing the series of events surrounding this incident, and bearing a gracious compliment directed towards the US Army Corps of Engineers. We wanted to reproduce this note on the SSECN right away, but have waited until Donna and the USACOE obtained permission for us to publish Captain Loev’s remarks. That permission has now been secured, so please take a few minutes to peruse Captain Loev’s account. I will then have a few editorial remarks to make afterwards:

This message is intended to compliment the responsiveness of the people associated with operating and maintaining the Canal which we have transited 17 times in the past 12 years. We spent Sunday evening, May 20, 2012 in our 38ft Sabre sailboat tied up at the Visitors Center. The next morning (5/21/12) we were the lead boat of another sailboat and three trawlers heading north to make the 1100 lock thru at Deep creek Lock. At approximately mile 22 we hit a submerged tree and were stopped dead. I had difficulty getting past it because it extended all of the way across the Canal. I did eventually force my way past it on the extreme west side of the canal with a lot of bumps and grinds because I was hung up on it. We then saw another tree further north that was leaning into the center of the Canal which we would have hit with our mast had I not looked up in time to see it. I reported both of these by cell phone (too far away for VHF) to Robert, the Deep Creek Lock tender. After we exited the lock I was amazed to first hear on VHF and then see the Vessel Elizabeth on its way into the Canal to begin clearing these obstacles. I understand that this has been successfully completed.
I want to commend all of you for your very quick response to this situation. We believe that the Swamp in a very valuable piece of American history and should be maintained and used.
Norman M. Loev

As you can see, the heroes in this series of events, were, first, Captain Loev, who so promptly informed the Deep Creek Lockmaster of the problem, then the lockmaster “Robert,” who contacted the Army Corps of Engineers without delay, and, particularly, the USACOE who dispatched a repair vessel, apparently equipped with a crane, almost IMMEDIATELY!
The cruising community owes a huge debt of gratitude to Captain Loev, the Deep Creek Lockmaster and the Norfolk, VA office of the US Army Corps of Engineer. So, THANKS, to all three parties for resolving this obstructing and potentially dangerous situation in very short order!

Anyone who has ever met Rob, at the Deep Creek Lock, would know that he would respond immediately to this situation and see that it was dealt with properly.
Wally Moran

Thanks to all’¦’¦’¦.in my 23 years as Director, retired last year, of the Dismal Swamp Welcome Center I could always depend on the USCOE for their understanding dedication and workmanship on the Dismal Swamp Canal. Robert has tremendous passion for the Canal and always does an outstanding job. Also, thanks to the crew of the Elizabeth. Just remember boaters, always continue working to make sure the Canal has funding to remain open. We have been very fortunate over the past years and want future fundings to continue. Happy crusing to all the boaters and thanks for using the Dismal Swamp Canal! Always remember to do the DISMAL!
Penny Leary-Smith