2001 Chesapeake Bay Cruise

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Itinerary:  Baltimore Inner Harbor: Annapolis; Dun Cove off Harris Creek, St. Michaels.

Thursday, July 5:  Emphasis was on checking vessel systems, provisioning, navigational basics, and planning the itinerary.  The students set course across the Chesapeake Bay and up the Patapsco River to Baltimore.  Freighter and barge traffic, plus dredging operations in the Brewerton Channel provided good exposure to maneuvering near large vessels in a crowded channel. They docked at the Inner Harbor East Marina, toured the colorful Inner Harbor, and dined at Paolo’s restaurant.  

Friday, July 6:  Following winds pushed us out of Baltimore for a pleasant sail under the Bay Bridge to the Capitol city of Annapolis.  The students hoped to pick up a mooring off the city dock, but a crowded 4th of July holiday crowd left us with an anchorage off the U.S. Naval Academy in Spa Creek. The water taxis provided transport to downtown Annapolis for some sightseeing and dinner at McGarvey’s.   

Saturday, July 7:  The crew set off for Dun cove, anticipating a quiet anchorage after passing under the drawbridge in Knapp’s Narrows. Unfortunately, moderate headwinds built to 20-25 knots and 4 foot seas by mid-afternoon. Combinations of sail sizes were tried in successful efforts to find a comfortable set for heavy-weather sailing. A lack of time forced the students to select an alternate port for the night. They pulled into the marina at Herrington Harbor South at 1700 and dined at the local eatery.   

Sunday, July 8:  A windless day started with docking practice, then the crew motored up the Eastern Bay to the village of St. Michaels on Maryland’s eastern shore. They docked at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum after an early afternoon arrival. An opportune time for the written test, which all passed. Some touring of the town and dinner filled out this busy day.   

Monday, July 9: The final day started with a test review, then off to Swan Creek and home.  Headwinds forced the students to motorsail up the Miles river to Kent Narrows.  The strong currents and a twenty minute wait for the drawbridge provided an interesting lesson in steering in a narrow channel under adverse conditions. All went smoothly as they motored out of the narrows into the Chester River and on to Rock Hall.  After docking at our slip, the crew offloaded their gear, and received their graduation certificates for a job well done.  

Captain Donald Kinney
Aboard S/V Cat’s Paw
Annapolis, MD
July 12, 2001

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