The Lady BR On both dates a friend and I took The Lady on a
Shake Down Cruise on the Susquehanna. My friend is a very seasoned sailor, and
proved to be indispensable. On the 7th we launched from the Pa Boat
Commission's Liverpool Boat Launch. The water temperature, according to my
sonar unit, was 43 degrees Fahrenheit.
The River was VERY swift and 3 feet below Flood Level. There
was much debris in the muddy waters such as Out House Doors, 4x4 lumber, twigs
and branches, and leaves. There were numerous Boaters in the area besides us.
It was 52 degrees, overcast and
the wind was from the Northeast at 12 knots, the Barometer was 29.89 inches. We
donned our PFD's, \and made ready for the cruise. We encountered moderate to
heavy rain, with sleet mixed in as well. We then broke out our Rain Gear,
anchored, and waited for the Squall to pass. After about 1 hour it did finally
pass. We used The Lady's navigation lights due to the general weather
conditions. We found the River's depth to average between 7 to 18 feet which is
about twice the depth for this area of the River, the River speed was 15 knots.
We encountered rapids over a shoal area that was extensive and the whole
experience on the River was new to this Captain.
My Seasoned Nautical friend kept me calm, focused and on
course. Had I been alone, I would not have taken the Shakedown Cruise due to
the River and Weather Conditions.
At one point, twigs and leaves clogged the Intake of the
Mercury Jet Motor, and we had to tie up on a small island while I removed the
clog from the grate. The motor was restarted and performed flawlessly, as
usual.
On 8 April we launched
from the Montgomery's Ferry Launch area it was a carbon copy of the preceding
day.
This Captain learned a lot
that weekend about Boating in less than ideal River and Weather conditions.
Actually, as it turns out, it was a Training Cruise for this Captain. Had it
not been for my friend being with me, I would have not ventured onto the River!
This Captain learned even more about Boating in adverse conditions, and about
Safe Boating Techniques. Lessons were learned.
AVYC Member Bill, Captain,
The Lady BR
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It is neither Time Nor
Tide...It is early November. The leaves are now well past their peak,and half
of them have fallen silently to the ground. It is a dry spell here in Central
Pennsylvania. The Susquehanna River is the lowest it has been in 61 years,this
according to the Reporting Station of the USGS. The Stream Flow is only 6,530
cubic feet per second,the norm is 10,000. The depth is only 6.84 feet,and the
norm is 7.3.
Like it or not this Captain,and the Fair First Officer can no longer
navigate the River on the beloved Lady BR. This is,indeed,a dismal state of
affairs. It is dark now at 1700 hours.
The Lady BR is being serviced and winterized at
Big Bee Boats. She was stripped of Her dignity,as all the
fishing,saftey,anchoring equipment were removed from her as she undergoes the
Winterization Process. 'Tis a sad day for us.
Hopefully,she'll be home again in her enclosed
Boat House,and sleep the duration of the Winter Months. This may not be until
about my Birthday on 12 November.
Spring will bring the Renewal of life to The
Lady BR and us. Also,the Spring will bring fresh and new leaders to the United
States of America. America,The Land of The Free,and Pennsylvania The Land of
Taxes,and Crooked Politicians.
Spring. Ah,Spring. 'Tis 20 furlongs away.
Somehow,Neptune willing,we will again glide the current on The Lady
BR.
No further
entries will be made in the Captains Log until the Glorious Spring again
arrives in This Waste and Howling Wilderness of... The Land
Lubber.
AVYC Member Bill, Captain, The Lady
BR
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Captains Log
The Lady BR
14 October
2000
TIME
AND TIDE.. Left the Boat Launch Ramp at Shady Nook, Selinsgrove at 1100 and put
ashore at 1700. The Ramp was constructed by and maintained by Pennsylvania
Power and Light Company (PP&L) and there are no parking or launch fees. The
area is well lit at dusk to dawn year around. Shady Nook is a venerable hot
spot for Muskie and Big Bass. Only fishermen frequent this 5 nautical mile
area.
It is
split by an island, and the total distance navigable by Jon / Bass Boats is 10
miles. The current is swifter, about 12 knots, and therefore not suitable for
most other water craft. The depth ranges from 4 feet to 12 feet. The water is
crystal clear with a smooth rocky to gravel bottom with river grasses.
The
PP&L Plant is coal fired,and the water leaving the Plant is much warmer
than it was on intake. The water is used to cool the electric generators. We
motored up to the Plant, and it's Low Head Dam ; one of 2200 such Dams in
Pennsylvania. We used extreme caution near the downstream side of this dam, due
to it's Hydraulic, downward pulling action, which is quite powerful. Some
seasoned Captains have lost their lives in this area over the past 50 years.
There are no Great White Sharks in this area, but there are Gar, Muskie and
Pike.
This
Captain, and the omnipresent, and possibly omnipotent, First Officer were
aboard The Lady BR from 1100 to 1500. Then from 1500 to 1900 a friend of mine
from work, Sergeant John Campbell was aboard, and Cheryl went to The Mall.
Cheryl knitted a pair of house slippers for my Mom while aboard. Though the
current is swift, at anchor the Boat is stable and calm.
John
and I caught Largemouth Bass, but released them. He grew up in Sunbury,and is a
fisherman of good repute, and he knows these waters like his own bath tub.
Shady Nook is 4 nautical miles from the House, but is about 7 statute miles
ground travel. A beautiful Fall day : Sunny, blue skies, wind 7 kts from 170
degrees (straight down the River), barometric pressure 30.12 inches of mercury,
humidity at 30 %. Actual engine run time was 1 hour. A great time was had by
all. As usual, The Lady BR performed flawlessly, and returned us to the Launch
Ramp safely.
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