South Quay Surprise

 07 Feb 23:

We are doing some maritime research for Colonial Virginia during the 18th Century. One of the first things we came across was a seaport and shipyard at South Quay, established in 1657, one of the busiest in the area. Located on the Blackwater River near the Virginia-North Carolina border, the port there provided a protected spot for Colonial goods to flow in and out of the region of southside Virginia.

What surprised us was that large 3 masted schooners could make their way 120 miles from the Atlantic, through Albemarle Sound, up the Chowan River and into the Blackwater. Back in the day you could hop onboard get a non stop ride to England. If we were to go to this spot today, we might be lucky to drag a kayak over downfall from riverbank vegetation. How did they navigate schooners drawing 8-9 feet up river? Well for one, the land nearby was still in its natural wooded state,  there had not been clear cutting of trees that created erosion of nearby soil. But moreso, colonists made great effort to keep the river clear of debris. 

There were two small American rowing galleys built there that played a role in the Revolution, the CASWELL and GENERAL WASHINGTON, denying the British access to the area for much of the war. They were well armed and well suited for close quarters combat in confined areas. For 5 years supplies streamed up river to buoy the American cause, and finally in 1781 British units under the command of Colonel Banastre Tarleton occupied South Quay and destroyed the buildings and shipyard. 

The buildings at the village were rebuilt but South Quay did not long remain an important shipping port for the region, as more seaports were established and trading highways expanded inland.