Changed Plans Bring the Lightship Overfalls Home SOON!
5/28/2009
Overfalls to Return to Lewes on Sunday, May 31st !
(The Overfalls left Colonna Shipyard at 7:35 this morning, Saturday, May 30th. She started out as an "on the hip" tow then Wilmington Tug's "Tina" tug changed to a pull tow once they left the Elizabeth River. If she did not tow well on a pull tow, the plan was to bring her up the Chesapeake (2 day trip). But since she held a straight course under the pull tow, she's going the ocean route which should return her to Lewes tomorrow (Sunday) morning. She will not arrive in time to make the Sunday 4 AM high tide so she should be arriving at her slip somewhere around the time of the afternoon high tide, about 4 PM. The return trip crew consists of Yul Benner, Dave Bernheisel, John Holt, Bert Long, Ernie Mocci, Dale Pease, Ed Rayner, Bill Reader, and Bill Ritchie. Bob Gibson transported the crew to Norfolk in his van. The crew slept onboard the Overfalls Friday night. We hope this version of a pajama party doesn't catch on!
We plan to start the welcome home celebration around 2 PM at the slip. Please bring some munchies and the Overfalls will provide the rest. Sam and Mariah Calagione have donated some Dogfish Head beer so those of us who appreciate an excellent brew will be very satisfied. The public is welcome at our celebration so please tell your friends and neighbors if you think they would enjoy it.
Since the requirements of the ARRA stimulus funding will probably delay slip construction until this fall, the Overfalls Maritime Museum Foundation (OMMF) has decided to bring the Overfalls back to Lewes ASAP and open her for the summer season rather than leave her in Norfolk until the new slip is completed. An earlier plan was to keep her in Norfolk when the thought was that construction could be done over the summer. The change in circumstances suggested a new plan.
Location of the Overfalls During Construction
The DRBA has been very supportive and has said they would welcome the Overfalls at the ferry terminal dock consistent with previous commitments to the Kalmar Nyckel to be there several times this season. As soon as the Kalmar Nyckel leaves Lewes following her final stay, late September, the Overfalls can be towed there while the three month slip construction project is underway this fall or winter. The OMMF also plans to discuss possible use of the city dock with the Lewes mayor and city council since it would be after the summer season and construction could be scheduled to start anytime after September. The city dock also would provide for protected water and a shorter tow.
Bringing the Overfalls back to Lewes now (1) enables her to be cleaned and maintained by the dirty hands gang (she is pretty dirty at present following the repairs in Norfolk), (2) permits her to be open for tours and all the visitors the new park will attract, and (3) allows the ship’s store to be open and all the new merchandise made available for purchase. There are many new items in the store in response to requests from previous visitors.