Historic Southern Chesapeake

Virginia and the shores of the southern Chesapeake, are rich in American history and military tradition. Visitors have the choice of walking over many of the critical battles sites of both the Revolutionary and Civil Wars or experience the past through the exhibits of several excellent museums. Our friends Val & Dennis joined us onboard for this segment of our travels where we also vastly improved our knowledge of California Zinfandels thanks to Dennis.

Pre 1776 Williamsburg was the seat of the British Colonial Government. The Courthouse was shared by the British Governor and his staff on the one side and the local colonists on the other side for their meetings and assemblies. Despite this close proximity it was here that eminent colonists met to debate and draft the Declaration of Independence.


Today the elaborate furnishings of the British are well preserved whereas the area used by the colonists are sparsely appointed.


Williamsburg has been well preserved and for the past year has been celebrating 400 years since the first settlers arrived in nearby Jamestown and re-enactments of the pre revolution era are staged.


A Redcoat Fife and Drum band march down the main street.


Even some of the battles are played out in true Hollywood fashion!!!


The camp followers play their role and give a great insight into the period through conversation using the dialect of the times.


At the final defeat in Yorktown in 1781 the British defenses are still visible.


Revolutionary guns are aimed at the besieged general Cornwallis while the French navy blockades the York River.


Commemoration of the final surrender.


Hampton Roads at the entrance to the James River has long been of maritime significance providing a good sheltered anchorage for the ships trading to and from the colonies. Today it is the sight of the largest naval base in the world. Pictured here are just two of the aircraft carriers in port during our visit. The flight decks have marines posted with machine guns at all times and at least one aircraft is constantly circling the base, 24 hrs a day. All part of Homeland Security!!


World War 2 fliers depicted at a new commemoration of Naval Aviation at Virginia Beach.


Newport News, once home to one of the largest shipyards on the US east coast, is now the home of the outstanding Mariner’s Museum. Exhibits cover much of the Chesapeake’s role in maritime history but all aspects of things marine. This display shows the evolution of ship construction.


You might ask what might be the significance of showing you a Navigation Buoy? Well nothing really except Deb seemed to like the photo and it will remind those of you not in the US that contrary to everywhere else in the world here we have to remember the golden rule when entering port --RED RIGHT RETURN


No such concerns for the builders of this vessel. Cobbled together by a Cuban couple in the mid 60’s to flee Castro’s repression, the engine was taken from a lawn mower. They were rescued by the US Coast Guard after 68 hours at sea. What would drive someone to take such risks? Their message 40 years later is simply this: Those with freedom don’t know how lucky they are. No one does, until that freedom is taken away.