USA - Virginia, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum and a Walk around Town

A walk through the Parks at Portsmouth had this interesting statue of a soldier that fought in the Spanish War of 1898

 

This arch reminded me of Lallybroch, (for all Outlander Fans)

Our first stop was at the Lightship Museum, only to find it closed.

This particular Lightship, the Portsmouth was stationed at the southern tip of Cape May, the inlet into the Delaware Bay. An area we’d sailed past just a couple of weeks earlier. 

I would have hated to be a Seaman aboard these vessels. They must have rolled like a Pig, in shallow water with breaking waves. I salute the Mariners who stood this amazing service to all Ships.

The Lightship Museum being closed, our next port of call was the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum a few hundred meters away.

This is Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, one that we never see from sea, as we’re standing so far off-shore from the shoals and Gulf Current pushing one onto the Oracoke Bans

An interesting artifact, the Fresnel Lens that was used on Lightships and Lighthouses

The Museum was interesting, but very localized with information of the Shipyards of Norfolk and Portsmouth from the 1700 to present

Outside the Museum is a Town Dock, and we could have brought the dinghy right to the doorsteps. However we did not know of this and had enjoyed our walk through the parks and had been en-route to the Lightship Museum anyway

Walking back along the Promenade we could view this Huge Dry Dock with a Naval Vessel across the river at Norfolk

Overlooking the Elizabeth River on the Promenade from the Portsmouth Museum back to the Marina

Back at the Marina, Fish & Slips was calling

Good Craft Beer

Our dinghy tied up to the Restaurant Pier

Our selection of Craft Beers

A meal of Shrimp, Hot Wings and Fries with Craft Beers - it was Yum

Overlooking the anchorage from the Restaurant 

USA - Maryland, Annapolis Naval Academy Museum

Saturday, we decided to visit the Annapolis Naval Academy Museum, which was also closed in 2020 when we were here last year.

Immediately after going thru security we saw this superb statue of a Billy Goat.

We were able to walk all around and thru the Academy, we however followed the signage to the Museum. I was enthralled at the quantity of Squirrels that made their home in the gardens.

An interesting Bronze statue of a Submarine on waves depicting dolphins and faces, which I thought a bit weird.

Beautiful Residences, not sure if the Cadets or Staff live in these Mansions

Preble Hall, the building which houses the Annapolis Naval Academy Museum

Nicholas outside Preble Hall

I loved the 17th Century Swords, Scabbards and Dirks

These are Dirks, short swords or long dagger…

A beautiful set of Decanters

I found these shots of interest

The second floor of the Museum is filled with Models of Ships, this is just one example of the fine work and exacting likeness of all the models.

And finally Space Ships

After 3 hours of reading the exhibits our brains were a bit fried, and we left stopping for coffee on our way out.

Later Saturday afternoon the weather prediction of a NW wind and Rain arrived with quite heavy grey skies.

We swung 180 degrees, with a 35 knot buster coming thru. We checked that our anchor turned and held, and sat inside as the rain pelted down.