York Town

 

Of all the times that we have been up and down this coast we have never stopped in at York Town on the York River, which is the site of the definitive battle of the American revolution. Now, that we have been there, I would recommend it to any boater passing through the area. The city has built a strong, series of floating docks into the river and you can tie to them for an amazing $5.00 for 4 hours or stay overnight for a bit more. Right across the river is Sara creek which has plenty of room to anchor in and the marina there allows you to land a dinghy in for a nominal fee where you can use the facilities. Also, this bridge was erected in 10 days! Every span was prebuilt barged up the river and set into place in under 2 weeks.

the bridge just up stream from the marina

York Town, was the last major east coast battle with the British during the revolutionary war. General Cornwallis became surrounded by Gen. Washington's forces and had to surrendered his army of 7000+ men to the Americans. There is a nice museum at the site of the battlefield and many different types of cannons located about the battlefield.

Mortars ready to fire on Yorktown 

A museum guide walks you through the battle field and gives you a true sense of what took place during the 3 week siege at York Town.

York Town itself is very touristy and many of the original houses in the old section have been well preserved. The main street still look as they did back in 1750...only with cars instead of horses. It was a pleasant day of walking through history for the two of us. http://www.nps.gov/york/index.htm

Upon news of the defeat of Cornwallis, the continental Congress voted to erect a great monument in York Town… then, it only took them another 100 years to actually fund it! But what a monument it's 98 feet tall and made of Connecticut granite topped with a statue named “liberty”. I was impressed.

 





 excellent stone work on the statues

The "Liberty" statue has a lighting rod on her helmet because the original statue was destroyed by lightning!

Well the trip is almost done and in two days we will be in Reedville. The Goose is staying there for a while until we return with Grand kids for a cruise up to Maine a little later in the summer.