Acorn To Arabella · video

What this video covers

The 38-foot wooden boat Arabella transits the 22-mile Great Dismal Swamp Canal, a historic, hand-dug inland route between Norfolk, Virginia, and North Carolina.7:04 With a draft of nearly six feet, the vessel navigates the canal’s six-foot controlling depth, experiencing minor bottom bumps caused by wind-driven water displacement and proximity to shore.7:59 The crew utilizes the canal’s locks and bridges, noting that wind-driven currents and debris require careful maneuvering.7:49 After exiting the canal, the boat docks at Elizabeth City, North Carolina, which offers 48 hours of free transient slip space.14:40 Later, while navigating the Pango River, the vessel runs aground on a submerged stump.18:50 The crew successfully refloats the boat by setting a 45-pound Kedge anchor off the stern and using the peak halyard to heel the vessel over while winching against the anchor.20:04 The experience confirms that while the canal is navigable for deeper-draft vessels, careful attention to wind-driven water levels and debris is essential.

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