New Moon 7/2 First Quarter 7/10 Full Moon 7/18 Last Quarter 7/25 Home Waters CHESAPEAKE & MID-ATLANTIC JULY 2008 GEM OF ANNAPOLIS: THE U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY By Stephen Blakely Of all the places to explore by boat on the Chesapeake Bay, Annapolis is one of the must-see ports of call. And the real gem of Annapolis is the U.S. Naval Academy, where the Navy trains its officer corps. For this sailor’s taste, the academy and its campus — known as “the Yard” — is the main reason to visit Annapolis. The town’s City Dock commercial wa- terfront is chockablock with tourists, traffic and tawdry chain stores, but the Naval Academy is a place apart: Spa- cious and beautifully landscaped, rich in history, home to an active, rigorous, storied university that dates to 1845. The 338-acre campus and its buildings and monuments, harking back to our nation’s early days, make it a living mu- seum, especially with the uniformed The U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis is a unique destination for the cruising boater, full of sights, sounds and plenty of color. Mids walking to class or being marched Midshipmen train on one of the academy’s new Navy 44 sloops, while a company of plebes are drilled in marching. about in drills. Lawrence, captain of the USS Chesa- America during the Revolutionary War, Among the notable monuments in What to see peake, killed trying to break the British Jones died in Paris and was buried the Yard are the iron mast of the battle- One million visitors come through blockade off Boston). there in an unmarked coffin before his ship Maine, bent by the explosion that the academy’s gates each year. Popular Hard to miss is the architectural cen- body was eventually exhumed and sank it in Havana Harbor in 1898 (the spots include Bancroft Hall, one of the terpiece of the campus — the Navy brought back to America for interment spark that touched off the Spanish- world’s largest dormitories and the ad- Chapel. This is always an extremely in the academy chapel. Although the American War), and the Techumseh ministrative center of the academy, busy place after graduation: Midshipmen Navy says his body was positively iden- Statue in front of Bancroft Hall, a parts of which are open to the public. are required to be single and, as soon as tified, some historical research says bronze replica of the figurehead of Be sure to see Memorial Hall, which they graduate, many of the newly mint- there is legitimate doubt Jones’ body is ship-of-the-line USS Delaware. has several rolls of honor and the ed officers line up to get married in the actually the one in the crypt. The Army figures prominently in this Navy’s most famous battle ensign, the chapel in full dress uniform. The Naval Academy Museum in Navy stronghold. The Japanese bell in “Don’t Give Up the Ship” flag flown by In a vault beneath the sanctuary is the Prebel Hall, which has lots of academy front of Bancroft Hall is rung each time Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry at the tomb of John Paul Jones (“I have only lore, intricate model ships and memora- Navy beats Army in their storied foot- 1813 Battle of Lake Erie (it bears the begun to fight!”), the country’s first bilia of U.S. naval history, is currently ball rivalry. “Go Navy, Beat Army!” is a dying command of Capt. James naval hero. A Scotsman who fought for closed for renovations through 2008. continued on Page 8 CALENDAR: 7 LOCAL NOTICES: 11 C.G. RESPONSE: 13 Party at the docks New boats splashed Back on the water Great ship goes down Nordic Tugs dealers, including Several new and varied power- The weather gods smiled on a The 1912 wreck of the Titanic re- 2 one in Annapolis, are hosting the 10 boats have hit dealerships, in- 14 fleet of nearly 150 racing sail- 16 mains a nautical icon of tragedy. first annual National Nordic Tug Fest in cluding vessels from Sabre Yachts, Jef- boats on 70-degree water for three A new book raises intriguing theories USNA July with sea trials and special events. ferson Yachts, Cobalt and Striper. days of Charleston Race Week in April. about what sent the ship to the bottom. Soundings July 2008 www.soundingsonline.com Home Waters 1 MA MA moral character, and pass physical fitness and vision tests. Since 1903, each U.S. senator or congressman can make two appointments to the academy per year, and currently each member of Congress and the vice president can have up to five appointees at the Naval Academy at any one time. Lawmakers generally nom- inate 10 candidates per vacancy, which the academy admits by competitive pro- cess; if a member of Congress makes a “principal” (personal) appointment, the candidate need only be qualified. A certain number of spaces are re- served each year for children of mili- tary members killed in action, 100 per- cent combat disabled or active duty Since Midshipmen cannot be married, many flock to the Navy Chapel for marriage ceremonies immediately after graduation. Navy or Marine enlistees. Children of Medal of Honor recipients need only MARINE REWARD qualify to be admitted. TRANSMISSIONS Rowing Skiff, “NIFTY” (11’ 6”) Tours We’re fast. We’re fair. We’re pros. Various special tours are available by Fiberglass Figure Head (3’ x 2’) reservation ($8.50 per adult, $7.50 per Taken on or about April 5th, 2008, senior, $6.50 per child), such as a Histor- Keep your boat running ical Tour, Tour & Tea (at the Officers’ dependably. 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Be- 21’-27’ Bow 35 (77/lbf) $5,900 cause of special events or other security 28’-34’ Bow 55 (121/lbf) $6,700 issues, be sure to contact the academy’s 35’-39’ Bow 75 (165/lbf) $8,000 40’-45’ Bow 95 (219/lbf) $9,500 public affairs office before your visit to 46’-50’ Bow 125 (275/lbf) $10,500 make sure they are open: (410) 293-2291 51’-60’ Bow 160 (352/lbf) $12,500 or -1523, e-mail [email protected], Web site 61’-70’ Bow 220 (485/lbf) $17,500 www.usna.edu/PAO/ Want to see some action? The full Dealer Inquiries Welcome Make Boating More Fun! Brigade of Midshipmen holds a Give Your Dinghy a Lift. lunchtime formation about 12:10 p.m. Visit us online at weekdays, weather permitting, in www.eastcoastbowthruster.com Tecumseh Court in front of Bancroft Contact us for a quote and to schedule installation at North & Mid Atlantic Distributors Hall, as they are marched in to eat. Also, 845-583-5410 • cell: 845-551-1975 Installers for Sealift USNA continued on Page 12 Soundings July 2008 www.soundingsonline.com Home Waters 9 MA MA Getting there by boat is easy Pick up the Red “2” nun bell buoy at the mouth of the the head of Ego Alley. If you don’t, call VHF channel 68 Severn River and proceed about three miles on a head- for a water taxi to get into town ($2-$4 per person, de- ing of about 227 degrees magnetic to the Green “5” can pending on location). buoy between Eastport and Greenbury Point. You will Once on land (City Dock), walk two blocks north on Ran- see the broad green copper dome of the Naval Academy dall Street to the Main Gate of the academy. You will need Chapel ahead (the smaller, white-and-black wood dome a photo ID to get through the security checkpoint, which farther to the left is the Maryland Capitol building). About puts you at the Visitors Center. This provides a good his- a mile farther on, 305 degrees magnetic, is the mouth of torical overview of the academy and, not coincidentally, a Spa Creek; to the left you will see a field of white moor- gift shop with many buying opportunities for Navy trinkets. ing balls floating in the water off famed Ego Alley and The academy is usually open seven days a week, but City Dock, which are rented out by the city (contact the there are security restrictions and special events, so • Annapolis water tax: www.watermarkcruises.com/water Annapolis Harbormaster).