Pine Island, Charleston Harbor-- Part 2: Something About Alcohol and the Boaters (Imagine That)

Fort Sumter was the target that ignited the Civil War when Confederates opened fire on it on April 12, 1861.  Today, it is one of the biggest tourist draws in Charleston (despite the $23 or $24 charge to go out to it.  It attracts more than 800,000 people to it and its companion sites at Fort Moultrie and  Castle Pinckney National Historic Site.

"The current use of the beach (Pine Island) includes people consuming alcohol and 'partying' rather than coming to the fort for a historical visit," said Park Superintendent J. Tracy  Stakely in a letter announcing the closure. 

My wife and I were once boaters and can attest to boaters doing stuff like this.

This  move outraged local captain Chris Rabens, of Charlestown Charters, who watched rangers stop his customers after he dropped them off for years at the beach to see the fort.

"They're giving Spiritline Cruises (which runs Fort Sumter Tours) a monopoly.  It hurts my business.  I thinks its an injustice.  I think its unfair," Rabens said.

Imagine Boaters Partying?  --Old B-Runner

Pine Island, Charleston Harbor-- Part 1: No More Visiting Fort Sumter from the Sandbar

I had been writing about Fort Sumter and in the last post about it, mentioned a place near it called Pine island, which is actually a sand bar.  Here is some more information about it.

From the August 6, 2019, Charleston (S.C.) Post and Courier "Feds block private boats, drop-in visits to historic Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor" by Bo Peterson Bopete.

You can't visit Fort Sumter for free anymore.  This, according to the National Park Service (NPS).

Rangers at the fort have now put off limits access from the sandbar beach between the fort and James Island, popularly known as Pine Island.  They have stationed themselves at the fort's riprap and turn potential visitors from Pine Island away.

Pine Island itself, is one of the big party areas for weekend boaters and that soon might be closed as well.  As a boater, I know about party sandbars and areas all too well.

This closing of Fort Sumter pulls the plug on one of the local secrets among Charleston's boating community.  And that is that the $23 fee charged by Fort Sumter Tours ferries didn't pay for admission, just the ride.  The fort has always been free to enter.

But, federal managers say that they have had enough of people partying inside the historic structure where alcohol isn't allowed.  They need to step up security, more carefully manage erosion and artifact looting around the deteriorating, nearly 200-year-old historic landmark.

I Wonder If Pine Island/Sandbar Was There During the Civil War?--Old B-Runner

The Dram Tree On the Cape Fear River-- Part 1: A Tradition Thing

I wrote about it in my last post and then realized most readers would not know what I was talking about so here's the stuff.

From the March 9, 2009, Wilmington (NC) Star-News My Reporter  "What is the Dram Tree?"  by Ben Steelman.

The Dram Tree was a bent, somewhat straggly cypress tree, covered with Spanish moss, that stood several yards out in the Cape Fear River, at a marshy patch on the east bank, near the present location of the State Port and the Sunset neighborhood.  Type in Dram Tree Cape Fear River to your search and see it.

CardCow has a nice postcard of it.

It was a landmark to mariners from Colonial times.  Passing it meant that vessels had successfully passed the dangerous Frying Pan Shoals at the mouth of the Cape Fear River.  Tradition had ships pausing near this tree and sailors were allowed a dram of rum, grog (watered-down rum) or some other alcoholic beverage to toast success from a voyage or a safe return if outgoing.

--Old B-Runner

A USS Monitor Christmas-- Part 5: Sank A Week Later

Thus ended the only Christmas the USS Monitor would ever have.  Few aboard would have expected the ship would sink less that a week later, on December 31, 1862.  Sixteen of its crew, including Jacob Nicklis who had been so proud of his delicious meal on Christmas, went down with her.

Today, you can view artifacts from the USS Monitor at the Mariners' Museum at Newport News.  Starting in November the museum lowered its admission to $1, even better.

The Casemate Museum at Fort Monroe gives visitors the chance to experience the historical fort.

And, for those wishing to experience the festive holiday enjoyed by the Monitor's sailors, you can find Monitor inspired libations at the Ironclad Distillery in Newport News and Oozlefinch Craft Brewery in Hampton.

--Old B-R'er