What’s Happening in Your Parks – Charleston County Parks
What’s Happening In Your Parks Aug/Sept – Charleston County Parks
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CRUISERS NET
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Elizabeth City: Your Autumn Escape Awaits
Elizabeth City sits at the southern terminus of the Dismal Swamp Canal and has the well-earned reputation of being a transient friendly town with free dockage for 72 hours.
DOWNTOWN FEATURED EVENTS PLACES TO STAY Autumn unwinds in Elizabeth City and you should too!
Our new self-service kayak kiosk at College Park (600 Southern Avenue) allows users to quickly grab a kayak by downloading the Rent.Fun app and scanning the QR code on the kiosk. The launch brings a splash of adventure right to our community’s doorstep! Read more here.
On Friday September 4 at 4 pm, Elizabeth City Downtown Inc. is hosting the First Friday ArtWalk where downtown art studios and businesses host guest artists and musicians.
Tuesday’s in September through September 23rd enjoy free live music at Music on the Green, held at Mariners’ Wharf on our beautiful downtown waterfront at 6 pm. This event is hosted by Elizabeth City Downtown Inc. and free to attend.
On Thursday September 11th at 8 pm, ECSU Community Connections presents, Step Afrika! which blends stepping, live drumming and storytelling into an electrifying performance. This event is free to attend but registration is required.
September 13th at 7 pm, College of the Albemarle Performing arts center presents, The “Original” Moonlighters- One of the country’s premier Motown and variety cover bands. Tickets can be purchased here.
September 29th through October 3rd 9 am – 4 pm, Arts of the Albemarle presents, SPLASH Week, a week long artist retreat for artists of all levels and disciplines to create in a communal studio.
Looking for a perfect place to stay? Explore our lodging accommodations and while you’re in town, discover our local shops and restaurants waiting to welcome you!
Copyright (C) 2025, Visit Elizabeth City. All rights reserved.
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Cruisers’ Net Weekly Newsletter – August 22, 2025
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Jetski/Pontoon Maker Appears To Have Settled in Virginia Death – Loose Cannon
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Jetski/Pontoon Maker Appears To Have Settled in Virginia Death
Florida Case Continues, as Facebook Scrubbed of Other Sea-Doo Stories
POLICE REPORT: The victim’s father, who was operating the vessel, proved his sobriety with a breath test at the scene. The redaction of this report was atrocious, accidentally leaving the name of the witness, Shwarting, for all to see, as well as that of another passenger and the father himself. Neeya Hussain, 9, died in the accident. Her family posted that photo of Neeya on Facebook just after her death. At one point, the death of Neeya Hussain was going to become a nationwide “class-action lawsuit,” according to the family’s lawyer, Emily Mapp Brannon. That was in October 2024, a few months after the nine-year-old was killed when the Hussain’s Sea-Doo Switch flipped over on a Virginia Lake on the Fourth of July.
Now, Brannon isn’t talking, except to say: “You are not permitted to call my client. We are also not permitted to discuss this matter. There is no comment.” Client Nadim Hussain, who is 40, did not respond to a text.
“This is confidential information and we are not commenting on such topics publicly,” said Emilie Proulx, spokesperson for BRP, the Canadian manufacturer of the Switch, the hybrid jetski-pontoon boat in question.
Sounds like things people say when they’ve reached an out-of-court cash settlement, no?
When Loose Cannon first published stories about Neeya’s death on Lake Anna and a similar accident that has incapacitated a Florida toddler for life, Switch owners on Facebook reacted by sharing their stories of having flipped or almost flipping when they too had suddently decelerated.
Those Facebook threads are gone, having apparently been scrubbed.
(Pro tip: Don’t assume “saving” a Facebook post is permanent. For a permanent record, take screenshots of the commentary or convert it to PDF format instead. Ask me how I know. Those “saved threads” have all been replaced by markers labeled “content not available.”)
Luigi Bazzani is an investigator working for the Miami law firm Goldberg and Rosen, which represents the family of 28-month-old Vianca Grullon in a $30 million lawsuit against BRP. She nearly died when her family’s Switch flipped over forward on the St. Johns River in Florida over Labor Day Weekend a year ago.
Bazzani is trying to find owners such as those who told their (now disappeared) Switch stories on Facebook or anyone else who recalls flipping or almost flipping the same model of jet-powered Sea-Doo watercraft. (Bazzani can be reached at 305-219-8840. His email is bazzani@me.com)
SOME EARLIER STORIES
Flipping a Switch: A ‘Quirky’ Boat and the Accident That Nearly Killed a Little Girl
·September 22, 2024Read full story 
Child Dies After Sea-Doo Switch Flips in Virginia
October 26, 2024Read full story 
Safety Recall for Sea-Doo Switch Cites Handling Issues
·Feb 27Read full story 
The 13-foot Seadoo Switch, the smallest model and the one involved in both accidents. LOOSE CANNON covers hard news, technical issues and nautical history. Subscribe for free to support the work. If you’ve been reading for a while—and you like it—consider upgrading to paid.
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American Powerboat Association World Championship, Englewood Beach, FL, Oct 10 – 12
There is always plenty to do around Punta Gorda, Englewood Beach, and Charlotte Harbor, any time of the year. Whether you are moored in Punta Gorda’s mooring field or berthed at Fishermen’s Village Marina, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, you will enjoy your visit to the beautiful area and activities, especially the Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach’s Waterfest.
Englewood Beach Waterfest Chosen as APBA World Championship Finale
PUNTA GORDA/ENGLEWOOD BEACH, Fla. – (August 19, 2025) The highly anticipated American Powerboat Association (APBA) World Championship will be the thrilling finale at Englewood Beach Waterfest October 10th through the 12th. This fall will mark the 11th year of speedboat racing on Englewood Beach. Waterfest draws people far and wide, averaging an impressive 32,000 guests throughout the weekend. Englewood Beach Waterfest, Inc. is a non-profit, 100% volunteer-run organization that highlights speedboat racing and water activities to promote and support conservation and recreation. The APBA Championship is a three-race event with Waterfest holding the final race, bringing both national and international recognition to the area.
Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach’s Waterfest was selected as one of the Top 20 Festivals by the Southeast Tourism Society in 2023, marking its third time being recognized with this award. It is made possible by a dedicated team of volunteers, eager to help from start to finish, producing a spectacular event.
The hidden gem Florida destination, Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach, makes for an incredible race setting due to its unique day-to-day water conditions, from calm waters to larger waves. In addition, the community support in Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach is unwavering with extraordinary safety measures, from helicopters overhead to protect race drivers and marine life, to the local fire department’s rescue boat on standby, to ensure safety for all participants.
“Englewood Beach Waterfest is excited and honored to be hosting the final race of the season where the APBA World Champions will be crowned,” says Englewood Beach Waterfest President, Jay Henderson. “The Englewood community loves offshore racing and enjoys showcasing our beautiful area. The 450 Volunteers that make Englewood Beach Waterfest possible welcome and assist our Guests and Racers to make sure all have a safe and enjoyable weekend.”
The teams for Waterfest will be arriving Thursday and Friday where they will start safety inspections, a driver’s meeting and a race position qualifier. On Friday October 10th, excitement will spark in the community with the Annual Block Party on historic Dearborn Street. Racing kicks off at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 11 and continues through Sunday, October 12. The top three winners will be celebrated at the awards ceremony.
Englewood Beach Waterfest Details:
- Dates: October 10 – 12, 2025
- Location: 2100 N Beach Road Englewood, FL 34224
- Price: General Admission Two-Day Tickets = $35.00 (children under 12 FREE) and VIP One-Day Tickets = $150.00, VIP Two-Day Tickets = $250.00
For more information, tickets, or volunteer inquiries, please visit: https://
englewoodbeachwaterfest.com/. ABOUT PUNTA GORDA/ ENGLEWOOD BEACH
The charming Punta Gorda/ Englewood Beach is found on Florida’s Gulf Coast. The region is known for its long, pristine beaches and the lush environment, with over 70 parks and preserves. Located just south of Sarasota, the coastal town offers activities such as kayaking, paddleboarding, biking, shelling, and even hunting for fossilized shark teeth along the serene shore. There is something for everyone in Punta Gorda/ Englewood Beach, whether it is relaxing at the beach or going on a thrilling adventure through mangrove tunnels, it will prove to be an amazing experience.To learn more about Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach, visit PureFlorida.com, call (941)743-1900 or on Instagram, X and Facebook @RealPureFlorida.
Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach VCB Media Contacts:
Lois Croft, Public Relations Director
Punta Gorda/ Englewood Beach Visitors & Conventions Bureau
Mady Dudley, Public Relations Director
Aqua Marketing & Communications
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Punta Gorda Waterfront
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Fishermen’s Village
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Bonus for Premium Readers: Will Walk Your Dog, Loose Cannon
Cruisers Net publishes Loose Cannon articles with Captain Swanson’s permission in hopes that mariners with salt water in their veins will subscribe. $7 a month or $56 for the year, and you may cancel at any time.
Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for moreBonus for Premium Readers: Will Walk Your Dog
Cancel the Post, Toss the Times, Support a Nautical News Hound Instead
Dear Readers,
History, humor and hard news—it’s been another busy couple of months at the Loose Cannon one-man media empire. Subscriptions keep growing, though the free people continue to outpace the paying ones by a lot. Alas.
So, today’s message is a sales pitch. Please be like Ginger Clark, who wrote this:
Good writing for one, such a pleasure to read. And a good nose for what’s really interesting. Decided to subscribe when I realized that if I saw Loose Cannon in my in-box it was the first mail I turned to. Only fair that I pay for it. Thanks!
Or Richard Wingfield:
You seem to be fearless. Great stuff.
Or Richard Simpson:
“I have worked in the yachting industry for 45 years. I find that you provide us with excellent insight, oversight and timely notification.
Or Andre Cocquyt:
You are doing an amazing job, flushing out the shenanigans and concisely reporting on them. I canceled my WAPO today and I am spending that money on your Loose Cannon. You deserve it, Bezosky does not!
Or Scott Marquis:
I decided to subscribe because I like your style, your matter-of-fact articles, and your non-allegiance to advertisers. Keep up the good work.
Addison Chan is the author of Bahamas and Cuba cruising guides, plus the Bahamas Land & Sea Facebook Page. He said nice things too:
Peter Swanson is like a dog on a bone when he is working a story. His work has been relied upon by several important publications like the New York Times to shed light on black-box situations.
Speaking of dogs, don’t forget the extra-special bonus available only to paying subscribers. If you come to our world headquarters in Green Cove Springs, Florida, I promise to walk your dog. Who doesn’t like dogs? Maybe, I will use your money to get a boat dog of my own. It’s about time.
LOOSE CANNON covers hard news, technical issues and nautical history. Subscribe for free to support the work. If you’ve been reading for a while—and you like it—consider upgrading to paid.
The author’s first dog steals his jelly beans. © 2025
411 Walnut St. No. 1944, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043
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Cast Off Fishing Continues! – Charleston County Parks
What’s Happening In Your Parks – Charleston County Parks
Cast Off Fishing Tournaments Mark your calendar, organize your tackle box, and prepare to cast those lines. The 2025 Cast Off Fishing Tournament season continues on September 13 at the Mount Pleasant Pier!
2025 Tournament Schedule
September 13, 7 a.m. – 2 p.m.
October 11, 7 a.m. – 2 p.m.
September 20, 6 a.m. – 2 p.m.
October 25, 6 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Tournament Details Presented By 
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Politician Says This Species Is Getting Too Greedy – Loose Cannon
Cruisers Net publishes Loose Cannon articles with Captain Swanson’s permission in hopes that mariners with salt water in their veins will subscribe. $7 a month or $56 for the year, and you may cancel at any time.
Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for moreWhen all else fails, try journalism.
Politician Says This Species Is Getting Too Greedy
Bill To Address Sharks Bitting off Hunks of Fish We’ve Caught
Sharks bitting off hunks of fish being reeled in by sportsfishermen is apparently a problem worthy of federal attention, according to Florida Senator Rick Scott. The author is an 8th-generation Floridian, born and bred in Tallahassee, which probably explains her unhealthy fascination with Florida politics. Educated at Florida State University and Oxford University in England, she has been writing for newspapers since 1983. Her work has appeared in the New York Times, the Times of London, the Guardian, the Washington Post, the Oxford American, and Flamingo. This opinion piece was published on August 11, 2025 in the Florida Phoenix and is reprinted here with permission.
By DIANE ROBERTS
The sharks are eating the fish.
Too many fish.
Our damn fish.
For 450 million years, the sharks have had everything their way, swimming around the ocean like they own the place, chowing down on that endless seafood buffet.
Who do those sharks think they are? Other than, like, sharks.
We celebrate George Washington and Abraham Lincoln one lousy day a year.
Sharks get a whole week.
No más. Florida Republican U.S. Sen. Rick Scott means to show these arrogant top predators he means business.
Sen. Scott’s elegantly named and creatively capitalized “Supporting the Health of Aquatic systems through Research, Knowledge, and Enhanced Dialogue (or SHARKED) Act will address bad behavior in the shark community.¹
No longer will the sharks be allowed to appropriate fish for their own selfish nutritional ends.
It’s a bipartisan effort: Sen. Brian Schatz, a Democrat, is Scott’s SHARKED co-sponsor, although he’s being cautious about what he says.
Schatz is from Hawaii, where certain sharks are considered sacred, what with them being people’s reincarnated ancestors.
Funnily enough, Schatz was once part of the shark-coddling caucus, all-in on legislation to protect those deep sea devils.
But he’s clearly seen the light, read the room, and smelled the Trumpy zeitgeist: It’s all about the money.
Sport fishing in Hawaii is worth hundreds of millions.
Scott also once expressed a bit of sympathy for sharks.
When he saw images of boaters “abusing a young tiger shark in Citrus County,” he wrote a tough letter to the head of NOAA demanding somebody do something.
The senator still wants somebody to do something, and, by God, the Scott-Schatz bill is going to do it.
More or less.
‘Unnatural Food Source’
It directs the secretary of commerce to put together a task force to figure out why elasmobranch cartilaginous fishes (as ichthyology nerds call them) gobble up the very fish sportsmen and women spend so much cash to catch.
You drop big money on a three-day charter out of Destin, spend another grand on your Yeti cooler, your Bora Bora hat, your Columbia convertible pants, your Coors, your Jack, your Pringles, your Publix subs, your peanut M&Ms, you finally get something on the line, but next thing you know, Mister Jerk Shark smells the blood in the water, swims up, and takes a big old bite of your 400 lb. blue marlin.
OK, maybe the shark was hungry, but that’s no excuse.
The American Sportfishing Association, the American Fisheries Society, and others rightly upset about sharks’ indefensible habit of consuming their usual source of protein, complain “shark depredation is clearly detrimental to anglers and predated fish that would otherwise be released.”
They point out all that illicit predation “creates an unnatural food source for sharks.”
The sharks would argue fish are, in fact, their entirely natural food source, but if it comes to a choice between those toothy behemoths and a $230 billion industry, the sharks lose.
Bottom line: Sharks are hurting the economy.
This is a condensed version of Diane Robert’s full essay “Pitted against capitalism, poor sharks don’t stand a chance,” linked here.
LOOSE CANNON covers hard news, technical issues and nautical history. Every so often he tries to be funny. Subscribe for free to support the work. If you’ve been reading for a while—and you like it—consider upgrading to paid.
1
Yes, humor aside, this is an actual bill. It’s goal is to “address shark depredation” and develop “techniques and strategies to reduce harmful interactions between sharks and humans, including the development and use of non-lethal deterrents.” National Marine Fisheries must report back to congress on this topic in two years.
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Here’s What’s Coming Up This Winter in Marsh Harbour with RMHYC!
Royal Marsh Harbour Yacht Club is a premier yacht club in the Abacos and A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR! If you cruise to the Abacos and the Marsh Harbour area, you should consider joining this great group of like-minded cruisers.
Here’s What’s Coming Up This Winter in Marsh Harbour with RMHYC! It’s never too early to start planning, and your Social Chairs, Beth Pohle and Michele Rubeor, have been busy putting together an exciting calendar of fun for the upcoming season! This is a tentative calendar, and events may change based on weather, or if we’re out cruising,—so stay flexible. Beth and Michele would love your help in making this a fantastic season. Get involved! Volunteer to lead an activity—it’s easy, and they’ll be around to assist as needed. Send an email to activities@rmhyc.com to let them know you want to help!You can find the most current information on the RMHYC website home page under ‘Upcoming Events’, or check out the Monthly Calendar page.Planned seminars and activity sessions this year include:- Medical & Health
- Fishing
- Creative Workshops
- And more!
And don’t forget about the ongoing daily or weekly activities, including:- Water Aerobics
- Pickleball
- Yoga
- Bocce
- Movie Nights
- Happy Hours
December 13
Christmas White Elephant – bring a boat related item no greater than $20 16
Activity to be announced 18
Birthday Night Vibes with Appetizers 24
Christmas Eve Potluck 31
New Year’s Eve Celebration January
6
Activity to be announced 9
Activity to be announced 12
Birthday Night Vibes with Appetizers 15
Activity to be announced 15-21
Korn Ferry Tour (The Abaco Club at Winding Bay) 19
College Football Championship 20
Activity to be announced 22
RMHYC Annual Cook-off – Bring your favorite family casserole recipe 27
Annual General Meeting (AGM) 31
2nd Annual RMHYC Open (Bucket Golf) February2
Birthday Night Vibes with Appetizers 4
Bonfire on the Beach – Gilligan Island Style (come as your favorite character) 7
2nd Annual Pickleball Tournament 8
Superbowl Sunday 17
B I N G O Night 19
Commodore’s Ball – Under the Sea 21
Bocce Ball Tournament 24
Activity to be announced March
3
Birthday Night Vibes with Appetizers 5
Cinco de Marcho Bonfire 11
Activity – Let’s talk about going south Don’t forget about these great events in Hope Town!- Box Cart Race at The Big Hill – Saturday, November 29, 2025
- Combustion Music – December 5 thru December 7, 2025 – for more details go to Combustion Music
- HT Songwriters Festival – February 11 thru February 15, 2026
We’re looking forward to a fun-filled season—see you there! MaryMary ColesRC Communications
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Pursued Oh-So-Slowly, Heroic Ship Kedges Her Getaway, Loose Cannon
Cruisers Net publishes Loose Cannon articles with Captain Swanson’s permission in hopes that mariners with salt water in their veins will subscribe. $7 a month or $56 for the year, and you may cancel at any time.
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Pursued Oh-So-Slowly, Heroic Ship Kedges Her Getaway
‘Rope’ Excerpt: How ‘Old Ironsides’ Used an Anchor and a MILE of Line
This English painting by Anton Otto Fischer (1882-1962) depicts the boats of USS Constitution towing her in a calm, while she was being pursued by a squadron of British warships on July 18, 1812. From ‘“ROPE: How a Bundle of Twisted Fibers Became the Backbone of Civilization” by Tim Queeney. Copyright ©2025 by the author and reprinted by permission of St. Martin’s Publishing Group.
By TIM QUEENEY
THE JULY MORNING IN 1812 was sublime, with fair-weather clouds puffed across the sky and a light breeze rippling the Atlantic off the New Jersey coast. While conditions were balmy that day, the sailors of the powerful U.S. Navy frigate USS Constitution were too busy to notice. They were aloft in the rigging of the three-masted ship working the ropes—untying reefing nettles, loosing buntlines and clewlines, and shaking out the canvas of the man-of-war’s sails. Their instructions were to set every piece of canvas. The sailors used the ship’s ropes to set the sails to get as much speed as could be wrung from the weak wind. The events of the next few days would prove the vital importance of rope in the period between the 1450s and 1880s, called the Age of Sail, when wind-driven ships ruled the seas.
That July the conflict between Britain and the United States, the War of 1812, was only a month old. USS Constitution had been ordered from Annapolis, Maryland, to New York City, where Commodore John Rodgers was forming a squadron of American warships. The Constitution needed to get to New York as fast as possible, before the Royal Navy succeeded in establishing a blockade and bottling up the American ships.
The captain of the Constitution was Isaac Hull, an experienced commander and ship handler. He was so determined to join up with Rodgers that when a masthead lookout sighted the masts and sails of five ships on the horizon off Egg Harbor, New Jersey, Hull assumed that Rodgers had departed New York with his squadron and was sailing south to meet Hull and the Constitution. Even with all sails set, the wind was light, and the Constitution made slow progress through the day. But there was reason for good cheer aboard the frigate: soon the Constitution would add its firepower to Rodgers’s squadron.
As the five ships grew near, however, Hull had growing doubt about their status. As night fell, Hull ordered the U.S. Navy to light signal lamps to the nearest ship, off to the northeast. The ship did not respond with the counter signal, further raising Hull’s suspicions. When morning came, Hull saw that the five ships had spread on all sail and were headed toward the Constitution. And each flew the ensign of the British Royal Navy. The five ships bearing down on the Constitution were not Rodgers’s American squadron, but the British warships HMS Africa (64 guns), HMS Guerriere (38 guns), HMS Belvidera (36 guns), HMS Aeolus (32 guns), and HMS Shannon (38 guns). Even though the Constitution was a heavy frigate of 44 guns, Hull couldn’t hope to fight five opponents mounting a combined 208 guns. And for Hull to lose the Constitution would be a terrible blow to the small American navy of only eighteen ships. Hull had no choice but to turn and run from his pursuers.
Sailors scrambled across the deck and into the rigging. They handled the myriad ropes that controlled the sails as the ship made a painfully slow turn in the light wind. As the Constitution gybed before the wind, the enemy continued to close. Hull had his crew put on all sail, including the studding sails, which sit outboard of the main sails on either side and give the ship the look of sporting white wings.
The wind dropped to nothing for the Constitution, while the British ships still had a light breeze. Hull had to keep his ship moving, but the wind had betrayed the Americans. So he ordered the ship’s eight small boats launched. Rope would play another important role: as towing lines from the small boats to the Constitution. These boats were all equipped with oars, and the sailors who manned them could row and pull the ship along behind them. The sailors now worked the oars for all they were worth, slowly towing the ship forward. Soon the British lost the wind as well and the American sailors’ exertions kept the U.S. frigate just out of reach.
The Constitution was losing the race, however. The British had cleverly sent the small boats of all the ships in the squadron to tow the Shannon, the closest frigate to the Constitution.
And with roughly thirty boats pulling the Shannon forward with rope-tow lines, the British frigate was gaining on the Americans. Something else was needed, or the Constitution would have to fight, allowing the other British ships to catch up and combine their cannons against the Constitution.
Hull had his men wet the sails with seawater so the canvas could catch every bit of the weak, fitful wind. He also ordered the crew to pump more than 2,000 gallons of water overboard to lighten the ship. The Constitution’s first lieutenant, Charles Morris, then hit upon an idea. He instructed the leadsman to throw his lead line (a rope attached to a lead weight that sank to the bottom for measuring water depth). The Constitution was in a depth of 26 fathoms (156 feet). Morris suggested to Hull that this depth allowed them to use a technique called “warping,” a method of moving the ship forward with the use of a special anchor called a kedge. This was a smaller anchor than the ship’s main anchors and could be carried forward in one of the ship’s boats and dropped over the side. The anchor would fall to the bottom, and then sailors on board the ship could turn the large, manually driven anchor winch to reel in the anchor line and pull the ship forward toward the kedge anchor. Morris had been aboard the U.S. Navy frigate President
when the technique was used, and it had attained a speed of up to 3 miles per hour—slow indeed, but perhaps it would be enough to keep the British hounds at bay.
The biggest question was: Given the water depth, did the Constitution have enough heavy rope on board to make the technique work? They needed to take the kedge anchor far out ahead of the vessel so the down angle of the anchor rope would be a narrow one. An anchor rope too short meant the angle would be too steep and the anchor would not grab the sea bottom; it would pull up as soon as the rope was tensioned. Morris quickly made an inventory of heavy
rope aboard the Constitution. He wrote this in his account of the chase: “We had been on soundings the day before, and on trying we now found [the depth to be] twenty-six fathoms. . . . It gave me confidence to suggest to Captain Hull the expediency of attempting to warp the ship ahead. He acceded at once; and in a short time, the launch and first cutter were sent ahead with a kedge [anchor], and with all the hawsers and rigging, from 5 inches and upward, that could be found, making nearly a mile of length.”
With this nearly 6,000 feet (a nautical mile) of rope attached between the kedge anchor and the ship, the crew commenced warping the ship forward. Now, in addition to the sailors rowing the ship’s boats, sailors on the deck of the Constitution put their backs into the task of escape. When the ship had been brought close to the anchor, the kedge was raised, brought forward again, dropped, and the process repeated. The 420 men of the Constitution kept up this exhausting routine all day and through the night.
Though the British frigate Shannon was able to draw even with the Constitution and managed to fire a few cannons at the American frigate, the British cannonballs did no damage. Finally, after fifty-seven hours of pursuit, Hull kept his ship just far enough away from the British that when a wind sprang up, the Constitution slowly pulled away from her pursuers. By the morning of the third day, the British ships, now having fallen several miles behind, gave up the chase. Without the lengthy ropes Morris found on board and tied together to make up that nearly mile-long anchor line, the Constitution would have been captured. The ship would very likely not grace the Boston Navy Yard as she does today, still a commissioned ship in the U.S. Navy.
LOOSE CANNON covers hard news, technical issues and nautical history. Every so often he tries to be funny. Subscribe for free to support the work. If you’ve been reading for a while—and you like it—consider upgrading to paid.
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