Well, not actually the war, but in the Fort Fisher/Wilmington, NC, area.
1. BOAT LAUNCH-- The boat launch ramp at the end of US-421 by the Rocks and Battery Buchanan has been needing repairs for a long time now. However, money has been obtained and the many governmental bodies involved have been brought together to do it.
The area is known as the Basin, a shallow water lagoon formed after the construction of the breakwater now known as The Rocks in the late 1800s. The area is controlled by the federal government because it is in the blast zone of Sunny Point ammunition depot across the Cape Fear River from it. Long overdue.
2. NO LIFE GUARDS-- The billion dollar deficit facing the state of NC has eliminated life guards at the popular Fort Fisher Beach by the old fort. So, be careful if you intend to go for a dip after touring the fort. Right?
3. ALLIGATORS-- There are alligators in the Cape Fear River. I've seen one being fed by the battleship USS North Carolina. This past week, a six-foot gator took to sunning by the Chandler's Wharf parking lot in downtown Wilmington. A few months ago, North Myrtle Beach disc jockey Billy Smith was having a show at Jimmagan's Hideaway on the Intercoastal Waterway in South Carolina and the show was disrupted when an alligator took an interest.
So, the next time you're in the area, remember to keep an eye out for hungry gators.
Dangerous Swimming and Boat Launching. --Old B-Runner
The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.
