Trip Day: 39 Latitude: 34°43.07' N Locks Today: 0
Miles Today: 0 Longitude: 076°42.34' W Locks Total: 6
Total Miles: 1,008 Location: Morehead City, NC / Portside Marina We spent the morning in Beaufort (pronounced “bo-fort” unlike “bue-fort” in South Carolina. Beaufort, NC, named after Sir Henry Somerset, Duke of Beaufort, is the third-oldest town in North Carolina, Surveyed in 1713 and incorporated in 1722. The Old Burying Ground, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was deeded to the town in 1731 by Nathaniel Taylor. The weathered tombstones chronicle Beaufort’s heritage where Confederate soldiers, Union soldiers and freed slaves all rest together.
We visited the Maritime Museum which was rich in boating history and shipbuilding in this region. One of the exhibits pointed out 2,000 known wrecks in the ‘Graveyard of the Atlantic” due to shallow waters and constant shoaling.
Not sure Jean needed to have these facts emphasized since we are about to cross Pamlico Sound. 
The Fresnel lens is highly efficient at concentrating light. This lens is from a lighthouse off Maryland Point in the Potomac and was in service from 1892 until 1960s.
An unexpected treat at the museum was a film about the 1996 archaeological discovery of QUEEN ANNE'S REVENGE, Blackbeard’s flagship, which grounded off Beaufort Inlet 300 years ago. There were artifacts on display and two of the participating divers keep their boat at the Portside Marina where we are docked.
Carbon dating, cannons and artifacts seem to indicate this wreck is the Queen Anne’s Revenge, but final identification has not been validated to date. The excavation is still active with new artifacts being discovered each dive season.
You could see Ron’s eyes light up when we entered this wooden boat-building shop. If only he could bring a couple of the grandkids to a pram building workshop!
It is time to move on . . . good weather is predicted for tomorrow so we will once again set sail to cross the Pamlico Sound and head north. We have eaten way too much good food and four nights in a marina play havoc on the budget!
I worked at a campground on the Outer Banks in the summer of 1973. My living quarters were supplied--a luxurious 13 foot travel trailer. That was an experience I'll not forget.
ReplyDeleteThere was a great seafood restaurant we used to frequent in Manteo. I think it was Spencer's. I would recommend it but my internet searches suggest it's no longer in operation.
Safe travel across the Sound.