This morning (Sunday) we rose about 5:30, had breakfast, and prepared to get under way en route to Clarksville, our intended destination for Sunday night, with plans to make the rest of the journey on Monday--through Cheatham lock, Nashville, and Old Hickory. We left Green Turtle Bay about 6:30 a.m. There were a few low clouds, but generally good weather. We made good time through the morning, and saw the Kentucky State Penitentiary at Eddyville (pictured above), along with other lake sites both natural and man-made. We negotiated Devil's Elbow, a point where the channel makes a 90 degree bend, and were reminded of how important it is to stay between the appropriate markers. We overtook a gang of coal barges I would estimate at over 1,000 feet in length.
It was such a relaxing and uneventful morning that Dan commented we might not have much to blog about tonight. We do not have that problem. As we were passing Bumpus Mills marina, just north of Dover, we checked our fuel supply and thought we had enough to make the next marina, and we didn't want to waste time refueling unnessarily. Soon the starboard tank ran dry, and we lost both engines even though we had perhaps 30 gallons of fuel in the port tank. Not a huge problem: we had brought an extra 10 gallons in two cans on the deck for just such an emergency. We emptied the two can into the starboard tank we knew to be operating properly, and resumed our cruise through Dover. Then we realized that we couldn't refuel there, because there are no marinas on the Cumberland between Bumpus Mills and Clarksville! Ok, we should have planned ahead better for this contingency. Nothing to do now but return to Bumpus Mills, refuel, and adjust our itinerary. But we didn't have sufficient fuel remaining to do that either! But wait: there's fuel in the port tank! We'll just transfer it the other tank with out handy little siphon pump and our gas cans. So we dropped anchor to accomplish that task. Made the transfer of 10 gallons, but the starboard engine wouldn't start. Oh well, we'll have to return to Bumbus Mills on one engine and check it out. So we we were ready to return down river to Bumpus Mills and refuel, and by this time probably we would have to stay there for the night. Couldn't raise the anchor; it was wedged between some rocks or something. Finally had the cut the rope and leave it. Oh well, anchors can be replaced.
Heading back down river to Dover, we ran straight into the most severe and terrifying thunderstorm I have ever seen on water or land. It blew us all over the channel, blew two deck chairs and one gas can overboard, and scared us to death. I couldn't hold her in the channel against 50-60 mile per hour headwind off the port bow, and we blew ashore just north of the Ft. Donelson National Battlefield. I don't know whether we sustained any damage, but I'm not taking a chance. We called for a tow (bless BoatUS), and we're waiting now (5:10 p.m.) for him to get us back to Bumpus Mills Marina. Remember that coal barge tow we had overtaken earlier today? He just passed us.
It was such a relaxing and uneventful morning that Dan commented we might not have much to blog about tonight. We do not have that problem. As we were passing Bumpus Mills marina, just north of Dover, we checked our fuel supply and thought we had enough to make the next marina, and we didn't want to waste time refueling unnessarily. Soon the starboard tank ran dry, and we lost both engines even though we had perhaps 30 gallons of fuel in the port tank. Not a huge problem: we had brought an extra 10 gallons in two cans on the deck for just such an emergency. We emptied the two can into the starboard tank we knew to be operating properly, and resumed our cruise through Dover. Then we realized that we couldn't refuel there, because there are no marinas on the Cumberland between Bumpus Mills and Clarksville! Ok, we should have planned ahead better for this contingency. Nothing to do now but return to Bumpus Mills, refuel, and adjust our itinerary. But we didn't have sufficient fuel remaining to do that either! But wait: there's fuel in the port tank! We'll just transfer it the other tank with out handy little siphon pump and our gas cans. So we dropped anchor to accomplish that task. Made the transfer of 10 gallons, but the starboard engine wouldn't start. Oh well, we'll have to return to Bumbus Mills on one engine and check it out. So we we were ready to return down river to Bumpus Mills and refuel, and by this time probably we would have to stay there for the night. Couldn't raise the anchor; it was wedged between some rocks or something. Finally had the cut the rope and leave it. Oh well, anchors can be replaced.
Heading back down river to Dover, we ran straight into the most severe and terrifying thunderstorm I have ever seen on water or land. It blew us all over the channel, blew two deck chairs and one gas can overboard, and scared us to death. I couldn't hold her in the channel against 50-60 mile per hour headwind off the port bow, and we blew ashore just north of the Ft. Donelson National Battlefield. I don't know whether we sustained any damage, but I'm not taking a chance. We called for a tow (bless BoatUS), and we're waiting now (5:10 p.m.) for him to get us back to Bumpus Mills Marina. Remember that coal barge tow we had overtaken earlier today? He just passed us.
Well, you wanted an adventure, Gilligan! Sounds like you're getting one. We'll keep prayin' and you keep sailin' on!
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