I've always known that the waters of Pasquotank River and the Dismal Swamp Canal were very well sheltered from rough water. Now, this impression is confirmed by Captain Ray below!

Subject: Dismal Swamp
Message: We just rode out the north-easter inside the canal and the Pasquatank River. The wind was howling over the trees but the water was calm and quiet. This was a great place to ride out the storm. The senery is beautiful. My mast height is 50 feet and the trees were always higher, giving good protection. I never saw less than 4-1/2 feet inside the canal locks. There was low water exiting South Mills because the storm blew the water down the river the day we came through.
Ray Schmidt