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fter Hurricane Irene whipped up the waters of Oriental, the upheaval she caused could still be seen in the creeks nearby.

Green’s Creek, Kershaw, Smith, Camp , Whittaker and Pierce Creeks, it should be said, can offer a safe refuge. All have hurricane holes and sailors who anchor down well and tie off smartly, find that their boats can ride out the blows. That strategy worked for many boat owners in Irene.

But there was also evidence at the creeksides, of boats and docks that didn’t fare as well. TownDock.net went up the creeks on several mornings and, among other things, found many examples of Boats Where They Aren’t Supposed To Be.

Following are scenes from Green’s and Kershaw Creeks as well as Camp Creek, mostly from about a week after Irene.

Perfect landing. While Hurricane Irene sank some vessels, this Chris-Craft suffered the opposite fate. Initially lifted by the storm surge, the vessel came to rest atop these pilings when the waters receded. It appeared to suffer minimal damage. (On the bright side, this might be a good opportunity to paint the bottom.)

Not going anywhere. Another view of the Chris-Craft. A few of the vessel’s dock lines are visible running from the boat to the pilings that secured it during the storm.

The pilings on this Greens Creek pier were pulled from the creek bottom during Hurricane Irene, raising the planked deck high into the air. Irene’s surge was so powerful, it lifted many docks – from short sections to entire lengths – leaving them with a roller coaster appearance.

Other piers didn’t go high but low. This pier at the Green Bay Marina collapsed.

This Egg Harbor sports fisherman was swept onto a finger of land. Its anchor rode was still payed over the bow, while its anchor remained on the bottom of Camp Creek. The Oriental Bridge is visible just off the vessel’s bow. No word on how the boat was to be re-floated, though a sign in the window hinted ….

…. that the Egg Harbor’s owner might be open to ideas on removal.

At a glance, it might appear this sailboat is ghosting down Kershaw Creek under jib alone. Instead, the docked vessel’s furling jib was torn by Hurricane Irene.

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Posted Tuesday September 20, 2011 by Bernie Harberts

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