Chesapeake City to Cape May

We got an early start this morning.  Took Abby for a run and walk at 6:15 and departed at 7:00 to make sure we got out of the basin at Chesapeake City as the water is pretty skinny at the entrance.  Low tide was at 10:47AM and when we did leave I saw less than 6" under the props at the entrance.  We fought the current through the C&D canal for about 6 miles but as soon as we turned into Delaware bay for the run down to Cape May we had a 2-3 knot push.  12+ knots at 1100 RPM.

We followed a tow for most of the way until we cut out of the main channel to get to Cape May. Debbie read up on the lighthouses as we went by and the accompanying story and picture we thought were cute.

Nehemiah Maull, born in 1737, was employed as a Delaware River pilot, an occupation that he shared with his father John, who had immigrated to Lewes, Delaware from England in 1725. In 1780, Nehemiah set out on a voyage to England to stake his claim to a portion of the family fortune. Given his occupation, Nehemiah was surely acquainted with the hazards of navigating Delaware Bay, but apparently the captain of the vessel on which Nehemiah was traveling was not, as the ship wrecked on an unnamed shoal in the bay. Nehemiah perished in the accident, but in honor of his years of service on Delaware Bay, his name was given to the shoal, so that he would live on in the memory of those navigating the bay. His multi-syllabic first name must have been considered too long, as the name given the shoal was just Miah Maull.

As we got closer to Cape May Bill and Sandy spotted a whale splashing its tail just off the channel. Bill had enough time to call me on the radio to let us know and the whale was still doing it's thing.  Our first whale sighting!  As we entered the Cape May canal the ferry was backing out so we waited outside the channel for him to pass before we went in.  They pretty much block the channel when they depart and they are much bigger than us.

Tonight we pulled into Utches Marina for two nights.  We filled up with fuel and should be good until we get to the Erie canal in a month.  We will spend tomorrow with Debbie's sister Charlotte and do some grocery shopping and a West Marine run before we depart for Atlantic City and then New York, NY on Saturday.

Alan and Bev have been giving us tips for our New York visit.  Ground Zero, Ellis Island, Times Square and the new development that was done on an elevated train track platform that Bill wants to see.  Maybe Central Park too.