2012 VC&NS Conference a Success

Posted on May 11, 2012 by holt


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The above photos are by Ann Strober. Thanks for sharing!

The 2012 Virginia Canals & Navigations Society Annual Meeting and Conference was a success. The batteau “Mary Marshall” made it to Covington in time due to much combined teamwork of their crew. Outstanding Achievement! Now the expedition as gone down the Greenbriar and on to the New River.

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Minutes by Betsy Healy below:

35th Annual VC&NS Membership Meeting                         May 5, 2012 - Covington, VA

Following a delicious banquet, a warm welcome was given by President Roger Nelson who first recognized Rich Davis who is an original, loyal member of VC&NS.

-  Membership to VC&NS by all batteau members is of great importance.     - Nancy Trout’s loss was memorialized with a moment of silence.

- Phil deVos was recognized and thanked for his hard work and dedication to make this Conference such a success.

- The ‘Mary Marshall Crew’ was recognized by name: Captain Andrew Shaw, Isaac and Dylan Schumacher, Ford Prior, Kevin Ferrel, and Wesley Andrews.  They have accomplished an amazing journey thus far and the membership is so proud of each of them.       .

- Phil deVos:  He mentioned his promise many months ago that the ‘Mary Marshall’ would be at the Conference, but he expressed amazement that they have accomplished this incredible journey.   Phil said he will step down from doing and planning Conferences for the future.  He recognized and again thanked Jon Averill for his fine presentation on Friday concerning John Marshall’s Expedition of 1812.   Howard Hammond put together the amazing dioramas in the C&O building in Covington on Friday night and great refreshments were provided by Ellen Neal and the volunteers of the Covington Historical Society.  Horace Dowdy was recognized for a Lock renovation.  

-Roger recognized Alan Hale a new VC&NS member who is also a Board Member in Nelson County and is involved with other organizations.

-Roger asked for approval of the Minutes from 2011 Annual Membership Meeting and Mike Neal made a motion to approve the Minutes and Gail T. seconded the motion.

-Membership Report:  Linda Roberts reported that currently we have 268 members and 47 of those are new memberships.  

-Treasurers Report:  No report was available.

-District Report:  George Ramsey, Sr. reported on Southside VA activities.   

   Great Bridge:  In October the ‘Rose of Nelson’ under direction of Captain Mike Neal and associated crew, were well received by the curious public and created a great learning experience for the crowd.  They brought a good light on the goals and missions of VC&NS and the Batteau Festival.

   George also recognized Gail Timberlake for bringing and displaying her book and helping out with the crew of the ‘Rose’ as they navigated through the famous Great Bridge Lock into the A & C Canal.

   George reminded the group of an invitation for bateaux captains to come to the Great Bridge again this October 13 & 14 this year?

    Dismal Swamp:  The canal is open and viable. Funding by the Army Corps of Engineers is promised through October of 2012 but after that it is???

   Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal:  This Canal is open and viable.  It continues to carry the bulk of the larger deep draft traffic.  There have been no publicized problems.

    Superintendent’s House:  It is still standing but frequent vandalism has led the ACE to board it up and fence it for protection.  Our VC&NS $1000.00 fund is still waiting to be contributed to any firm attempt toward preservation.

  -President Roger then introduced Gail Timberlake, the author, and Dot Samuels, the illustrator of the children’s books.  Gail shared some information about her new book which focuses on the deed of a Boy Scout during the Festival many years ago.  Her third book is in the works and will be a story of Dewey Wood and the Lady’s Slipper.  Margaret Gerdts suggested that Gail’s information go into the VC&NS tri-fold brochure.

-Brian Coffield:  Our Vice President Brian highlighted the many events and achievements of the VC&NS for last year:

    The great success of the Conference in Buchanan organized by Phil de Vos last year.

    Planning for the current Conference and the great success in Covington/Clifton Forge.

    Two options for next years Conference; Rivanna River and Monticello, and the Lower Maury River, Buena Vista site.  He urged volunteers to step forward?

   - Discovery & Preservation:  Gwynn Lock and Dam cleanup.

Applied for Grant to conserve the Maury River, Echols/Walker water craft find.  The Grant was accepted but not adequate for the preservation at this time.

    - Education & Living History Outreach:

     John Marshall 200th Anniversary of Midland Trail exploration brochure was created and distributed.

    Harpers Ferry National Park- Living history presentation with bateaux ‘Rosalee’ Byrne Nelson, Captain and the ‘Rose’ captained by Mike Neal,  in May.

     Spring Jubilee, Rassawek Vineyard:  Batteaux display and rides.  VC&NS display in May.

    James River Batteau Festival:  VC&NS display and JRBF sales in June.

     Monticello Harvest Festival: Batteau camp and VC&NS display, Sept.

     Rippon Lodge Harvest Festival:  VC&NS display and Atlas sales in Sept.                     

 Waterways Heritage Festival: VC&NS display and batteau at Great Bridge in September.

  Upper Roanoke River Guided Walk and Fundraiser for the Staunton River Atlas in October.

  Roanoke River Watershed Conference Ferrum College:  Atlas and VC&NS display.

    -Partnership and Advocacy: 

  James River Assoc.:  Info from Atlas’s on JRA interactive river website.

  James River National Scenic River Designation Project:  Goochland to Powhatan, letter of support.

   - Honor:  2011 JRBF Lifetime Achievement Award to Bill and Nancy Trout.

    JRBF:  Celebrated their 26th year from Lynchburg to Powhatan.

   VC&NS allocated $1000 for a full color program guide that was prepared by Elizabeth Davis and Nancy Marion and well received by all.

   Applied to BAMA Works and received a grant to enhance the 2012 Festival and the direct connection to VC&NS.

     -Archives & Artifacts:

  Catalogued donations from the Howletts, Bonnie Herndon, Ashley Egan and Holt Messerly plus notebooks from Bill Trout and Mike Neal.

  Responded to research inquires and cataloged location of Bill Trout’s scale model gundalow.

      -Active Fund Raisers: 

  Gail Timberlake has traveled the state to sell her children’s books.

   Barbara Duerk organized a guided walk on the Staunton river to raise fund to print the Roanoke/Staunton River Atlas.

       Administrative-Management/Marketing/Public Relations:

   -New Officers positions filled.

   Continued to improve productivity of board meetings and their volunteer involvement.

    A   PO Box was re-established in Covesville.

   The completion of an official name change which started over 25 years ago to add an “s” to Navigation through the VA State Corp Commission has been accomplished.

  SCORE continued to be utilized for Strategic Planning Counseling at no cost to the VC&NS.

Membership:  Linda Roberts has been so successful with records and enhanced software system. 

Finance:  Primary operating funding came from Atlas sales, membership and corporate donations. Editors Note: The VC&NS Online Store contributed most of the atlas sales while on-site(s) sales did nicely as well.

    Atlas sales will continue at the JRBF and we heartily thank Brian Coffield for his incredible efforts and great success this year.
Both Dr. Trout and Linda Roberts volunteered to help Brian.

Roger Nelson reminisced about his early affiliation with the party aspect of the Festival and how it took some years for him to get interested in the aspects of the history and the mission and higher purpose that Bill Trout has for the VC&NS.  Roger hopes to take this organization in a direction to further unite the organizations.  Roger expressed thanks to all the folks that have come forward to help run the society and he especially recognized Ellen Neal and her many contributions.

Election:  Mike Neal read the slate:

    President:   Roger Nelson

    Vice President:   Brian Coffield

    Historian:    Dianne Easley

    Trustee: (2012-2017)   Philip deVos

    Trustee:    Rich Davis

Roger made a motion to approve the candidates and Linda Roberts approved the motion with a second by Ellen Neal.

New Business:  Roger brought up concern for The Tiller publications.  He has met with Nancy Marion and he commented on the fine first issue and then a more budget wise second issue.  He does not know why it is not moving forward but asked the membership present to help figure how to get this publication staying on track for the future.  Ellen mentioned the three volunteers that are doing the project and the fine work they can do, but it seems that just a third of the project needs help? 

Roger asked for a motion to adjourn and Rich Davis made the motion which was seconded by Linda Roberts. 

Respectfully Submitted:  Betsy Healey, Sec.

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Canal in Richmond VA in danger with proposed development!

Posted on May 11, 2012 by holt

VC&NS Trustee, Dr. Bill Trout submitted this article for everyone to read since the canal in Richmond is in danger! The following article was published in the Richmond Times Dispatch and we are re-posting it here in the public interest:

Save Richmond’s canals,  again

Our historic canals should be saved so their future development can put Richmond on the map, as in San Antonio and Georgetown. But this opportunity could be mooted by well-intentioned pending schemes, which injure the canals in five places. There need not be this choice between canal and improvements.

In 1988, a canal committee of leading citizens designed a waterway for tour boats from the James River at the Great Shiplock to Maymont. The navigable James River & Kanawha Canal would be spliced with the millrace Haxall Canal. Renowned architect Carlton Abbott prepared plans and cost estimates.

Thanks to smart planning, much of the restoration was accomplished as part of the city’s Combined Sewer Overflow project. The rest remains unfinished, but possible.

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The committee proposed a link from the Haxall Canal up to the JR&K Canal east of the Tredegar buildings. A series of locks up the hill was one alternative, to be powered by pumps that would make a rapid (and exciting) lift. A mechanical railway to pull boats up was also considered. The canal would then sweep above the Tredegar buildings as in many old illustrations.

The existing canal bed can easily be refilled with water by removing the plug west of the Lee Bridge. The rainwater standing in the dry canal is evidence of that.

To hear that the canal should be blocked by the new Second Street and an amphitheater is dismaying. The city Planning Commission has decreed that the new street should be built over an open-bottom culvert, arch or bridge, allowing passage of the canal. If an arch is built as part of street construction, it will be much cheaper than trying to tunnel through later.

But the proposed arch may be too short for replicas of old packet boats to pass. If the arch is built slightly wider, passing under a higher section of the new street, the canal could be bent to pass there in the future.

NewMarket Corp. has generously agreed to donate the land west of the new street to Venture Richmond for an amphitheater, mainly for the Folk Festival. This amphitheater could function with the canal running through it. Sight lines down the hill are not blocked by the canal, if fill is made just above the lip of the canal instead of the slight dip that now exists.

The result would be a two-level theater, with orchestra below and balcony above the canal. When big events are staged, both bowls could be used. Audience members could pass over the canal between the two bowls on the sidewalk of the new street.

At the other end of the system, the 1988 committee proposed linking the JR&K Canal with the Haxall Canal down 12th Street.

The committee also considered bringing the canal from the Reynolds lock diagonally under the Reynolds Brown building, avoiding any conflict with 12th Street and the sewer — and making an easier turn for boats. The depth would be at or below the basement of the building and would not disturb it. A canal passing under a building has been accomplished in San Antonio, where new canal extensions were deliberately sought and incorporated in the atriums of new buildings.

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The Reynolds North developers are to be congratulated for plans to open the JR&K canal by demolishing the building over it and donating the canal to the city, but City plans propose a handicap ramp inside the Reynolds locks.

These locks are the last original structures of the canal in the downtown. The ramp would block boat passage in the future as well as obscure the very landmarks it is trying to showcase. The new bridge proposed east of the demolished Reynolds building also will block boats and the view of the original and newly exposed 13th Street bridge.

Even if boat passage from the Great Shiplock to Maymont never comes to pass, at this site boats could be brought from Virginia Street into the locks, then lifted up both locks by the water to demonstrate how locks work — how much more exciting and instructive than simply allowing people on a ramp to pretend they are in a boat. Or if close view of the locks is desired, all water could be removed from the locks, allowing people to walk into the lower lock.

The handicap ramp could instead be located over the existing sidewalk on the south side of the locks, from 12th Street down to the old 13th Street bridge, and then down to the Canal Walk in the space to be uncovered by removal of the building.

Most developers would welcome a water feature on their property, particularly one maintained by the city. If no one sees this now, planning should reserve the opportunity for the future. No one expects the city to spend its $62 million RMA repayment on the canals now, but the possibilities of George Washington’s canal becoming the “it” project for the city should not be foreclosed.

Jack Pearsall is a Richmond attorney.

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Posted in James River & Kanawha Canal, Richmond, Save our Canal!, Virginia | Leave a comment

2012 VC&NS Annual Conference – May 4th, 5th and 6th!

Posted on April 21, 2012 by holt

2012 VC&NS Conference Information:


Please click here or photo above to go to the special
2012 Conference information Page.

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FORM
– PLEASE REGISTER BY APRIL 11TH
AND RECEIVE 10% OFF CONFERENCE FEES:
CLICK HERE FOR REGISTRATION FORM

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Recent VC&NS Headlines:

Posted on April 21, 2012 by holt

THE MARSHALL EXPEDITION:

ANDREW SHAW

Andrew Shaw holds a a rib base for the new batteau.

We are extremely proud to present to the Batteau Festival & Canal Society community a new blog titled “The Marshall Expedition”. JRBF Captain Andrew Shaw and his dedicated crew are planning an expedition and building a new tapered batteau for an epic journey to travel up-river on the James and beyond. Construction has begun on the new boat. Andrew Shaw will be blogging about the construction and every step along the way. You will want to click on the “RSS” button inside the blog and subscribe your email program to the RSS feed. Whenever a new article is posted you will get a copy in your email. Also click and share articles with your friends on Facebook, Twitter or LinikedIn. This is an exciting new project and I will let you read about it from Andrew’s own words. Good Luck to the Captain and Crew! by Holt

Click here or photo above to go to the new blog.

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Roanoke Staunton River Atlas

The Roanoke/Staunton River Atlas

is now available!

The brand new Roanoke/Staunton River Atlas by Dr. Bill Trout and Nancy R. Trout has been published.

The price is $28.57 plus $1.43 (5% VA Tax) = $30, plus USPS Shipping & Handling.

Click here or photo above to buy.

Members in the VC&NS be sure to email for your discount code to receive your 20% discount – member price. Please allow 24 hours for reply.

The new Atlas is 176 pages plus front and back cover (1/2 inch thick!!!).

The front cover is in color and this is the first atlas to have plastic spiral binding, making the pages easy to flip around to any page in the book.

Click here or photo above to see photos from the tour with Bill Trout of the

Roanoke River and a Mill Run in Salem, Virginia on October 8, 2011.

© 2011 – Photos by Holt Messerly.

The Roanoke/Staunton River Atlas has been published!

Nancy and Bill Trout hold the brand new river atlas while Phil de Vos holds the Richmond Batteau Flag in the background and Dan Crawford blows the river horn announcing the new publication while standing beside the Roanoke River in Salem, Virginia on Saturday, October 8th, 2011.

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Rose of Nelson in Chesapeake 2011

The Batteau “Rose of Nelson” in Chesapeake, VA. Photo furnished by Mike Neal.

Click here or photo above to see photos from this event.

WATERWAYS HERITAGE FESTIVAL

Was held on October 8-9, 2011, Great Bridge Lock Park

On the banks of the Intracoastal Waterway, Chesapeake, VA

VC&NS Southeast Director, George Ramsey, Sr. organized

a display for the VC&NS at this Festival. Mike Neal took the Batteau “Rose of Nelson” to be on display at this event. Great Bridge Lock Park sits beside the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway at the point where the Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal – coming up from North Carolina – meets the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River, a tributary of the Chesapeake Bay. See the online sweep for contact info.

Initial reports are that this event was real nice and thousands of people attended. More information and photos to come

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