Monday, November 27, 2006
We had a secure anchor at Point Judith Harbor of Refuge (without the need to go further north through the land cut and into the pond) If you draw an imaginary line from the east breakwater entrance to the west, anchor behind that line.
Be WARNED not to anchor to far south inside the V-section of the breakwater between these two entrances, whereas the bottom is shoal and a hard northwest wind will drive a boat into the breakwater. There are reports several boats have been driven ashore inside the breakwater and totally wrecked.
Up at sunrise once again, we discovered the temperature was 58o F degrees (Imagine this heat wave in November)
The sail plan was to head east across Rhode Island Sound for 25 nautical miles (staying far south of Newport) enter into Buzzard's Bay and hope to make the west entrance of Cape Cod Canal by nightfall. (4:26 PM)
The Sun pops up on the far southeast horizon. At seven thirty in the morning it's only 5o degrees above the horizon and reaches but 27o degrees. Regardless of the extreme southern declination, the bright morning rays were welcomed.
The marine forecast for Rhode Island Sound did not match NOAA Weather Radio they had predicted worse conditions with wind gusts to 25 knots. We only had 2 to 3 foot sea swells rolling every 18 seconds (the kind that puts you to sleep) The wind was light and this was the best crossing we have ever made through this area, which is usually rolling with 4 to 6 or 6 to 8 foot waves.
After 4 hours our luck ran out. The unusually warm temperature created heavy fog over the water. The thick inversion closed fast from the east, just as we had reached the southern most end of Buzzard Bay. We figured the wind would blow this fog seaward? (Least this is what all those famous poets write) whenever they refer to fog and New England.
Within the next 15 minutes we had no visibility. We opted to drop 30 points off the compass steer toward the land. Around eleven O'clock a bright Red #2 nun popped up on the port side (what harbor this particular mark belong to was unknown) behind the nun was a pile of rocks (awash) and just past the rocks suddenly appeared a field of empty mooring balls.
One hour later we could see the nearby shore (which was only a stone toss away from our location) taking note of a round-house building on it's southern end we immediately identified our location to be Mishaum Point.
At 2 PM the local visibility improved to 1000 yards or better and we decided to round the point. NOAA was forecasting south winds at 10 to 15 knots with gusts to 20 knots by midnight. Therefore we opted for eastern side of the point.
One mile around Mishaum Point we encountered a spindle and another Red nun and carefully followed these marks (perplexed by fog) and a "zig, zag and zig" array of marks" Later we discovered each buoy and nun had also marked submerged obstructions within this passage. The marks eventually led to Clarks Cove on the west and New Bedford Harbor on the east. Yet we could see neither until we actually arrived there.
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
We had anchored off a marine school complex located on the east shore of Clark's Cove. My evening shore walk confirmed we had reached South Dartmouth.
The morning winds rattled the fixed rigging, dropped temperatures, and pressed the entire sky into shades of gray and black overcast. However the local visibility somehow improved to one mile.
Just after breakfast we rounded Clark Point and made way via the new Hurricane Barrier into New Bedford Harbor (opposite side of Clarks Cove) and found only the noise of commercial vessels and fishing boats. The marinas with their many floats where occupied by seagulls cracking open their morning catch of clams and crabs.
We tied up at the Old New Bedford Marina (off the east end of the Route 6 bridge) and made inquires as to where some gasoline could be purchased. According to the local dockmaster they don't store any gas or diesel fuels and never had any fuels for nearly 30 years. He recommended the Crystal Gas Station being a short walk over the Route 6 Bridge toward the west.
Believe it or not the gas station was open for business, but they had no gasoline, (that's right) they have a "hit and miss" delivery operation for their gasoline supplies least for this particular station. Two other stations where mentioned but both are situated three or more miles from this current location.
Finally Co-Op gas on the west shore (just opposite our side of the bridge) had gasoline and we motored over to their dock and filled the tanks. With the skies still overcast we motored back to the empty public pier (permit by seasonal basis) and tied up inside one of the many empty slips. Two police boats and one fire and rescue boat where docked here all the rest empty.
Homeland and Security?
Homeland and Security... never at any time during this entire trip did we see any police; security boats; Coast Guard boats; or any persons who might challenge our arrivals or departures. The police boats mentioned were tied to empty floats. These boats had been there before we arrived and they remained when we left the next day. Does bad weather put off security enforcement measures?
Who could or would have stopped me or anyone who might be coming into the New Bedford Harbor? I am not trying to undermine our so called secure ports (on the contrary) telling you our ports are not secure, while at the same time Homeland Security wants you to believe they're totally secure.
Now after purchasing our train tickets at South Station in Boston (for our return to Bridgeport) four armed security guards where standing at the head of the boarding track, checking to see if we had "valid tickets" before we could walk down the platform and board the train. These tickets where purchased right there at their own machines. (I would hope there valid wouldn't you?)
Wednesday, November 29 2006
With a high pressure system bearing down our stern carrying cold temperatures and high winds, we headed out at daybreak from New Bedford Harbor.
It was still overcast with fog but the land features could be seen and we followed the coast. Once we reached the Cleveland Ledge Light (located just prior to the west entrance of the Cape Cod Canal) the sun broke out and local visibility returned.
We continued through the canal, reached the east side and then headed north.
When the big powerplant off the east entrance faded away (so did the land features) and our next fix occurred at 2:15 PM. when the Plymouth Lighthouse was spotted through over laid mist and fog hanging about these shores.
We opted to push north for Boston against the flood. The predicted high water for Green Harbor (next port ) was to occur at 6PM. We still had eight hours of travel ahead and at some point we would engage the ebb while making our way north for Boston Harbor.
We reached the R&W Whistle off Stituate Harbor at 5:30 PM, the shores where once again visible, but this time with dots of street and house lights. The swells remained on the rear starboard, with light winds from the south and southeast as we continued on a course of 330o (to ensure) we would stay seaward of the many hazards along these two southshore harbors.
Soon we reached the Minot Light, rounded Cohasset and all it's hazards and headed straight for what we figured was the Boston Light. However it was the Graves Light (the latter situated 2 1/2 miles) north of the Boston Light.
The distance to Boston and Winthrop Harbor is roughly the same, regardless if you come in via "Nantasket Roads" along Hull or use Boston's South & North Channels, the latter which run perpendicular to one another.
We reached Winthrop Harbor at 9PM and secured to our mooring at the basin.
SUMMARY:
Transports are no fun.
It is more a push than a true sailing adventure. Once again like our early Spring transport, we only saw but three recreational boats during this entire trip. The last was a fine looking ketch, heading southbound for the east entrance of the Cape Cod Canal.
