Siege of Yorktown

Yorktown: 22^nd September

After a punishing but enjoyable few days discovering Colonial Williamsburg, we returned to quiet Sarah Creek.  We had to resort to Uber!  Where were you Ray?  Meanwhile, the marina had made local news due to boatyard a fire (possibly an electrical fault?).  

Events though, had not discouraged the dinner crowd at popular Oyster Company's (YROC) dockside shack.  We’d enjoyed a couple of dinners there whilst at the marina and Saturday night’s band (21 Sep) was just fab.  Well, they were playing our music (our age group)…  Dare I say, we were all singing along too!! 

Sunday turned out to be perfect for venturing across the river to Yorktown in a dinghy, the ever trusted, Bruce.  The Magpies by now did not flinch at the suggested York River crossing or mode of transport. 

This pretty town is most famous as the site of the 1781 siege and British defeat.  General Charles Cornwallis surrendered to General George Washington and the French Fleet.  We were there to see Colonel John Lamb’s Second Regiment of the Continental Artillery firing a replica 18-pounder siege gun.  Of course, the performance was somewhat reduced to a single gun and crew; although American forces may only have had 3 of these massive siege guns (along with lots of others).  That’s not to say that we weren’t able to understand the impact and noise over the battlefield.  Opposing forces were so close to each other.

Loading the 18-pounder

And FIRE!

Waiting for lunch at Riverwalk Landing

After a quick browse through the Battlefield Museum (noting Washington’s military tent), we took the Trolley back to Riverwalk Landing and did a little shopping, browsing and eating (Mmmmm! Ben & Jerry’s ice-cream).  Then it was back to Bruce for a ride over to Sarah Creek.  We wanted to be ready for any eventuality given we were about to head back out to Chesapeake Bay.  The next day’s sail was north to Jackson Creek; another “short sail” to look forward to with a far better weather forecast.  Fingers crossed!

Bruce (behind the flash black "tinnie") at Riverwalk Landing.
Note calm seas & sunny skies.  Never on the day you want to you leave, right?