C&O Canal Boat Expected to Arrive July 8


The reopening of Georgetown and the city continues apace, and things are speeding up. Already to the delight of passers-by at the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal, Georgetown’s crown jewel, yes, there is water flowing through its locks.

Now, with repairs to Locks 3 and 4 completed and the canal wall near Grace Street and Wisconsin Avenue stabilized, comes word that the long-awaited canal boat will arrive at the canal on July 8 – or thereabouts.

The arrival of the boat will be a dramatic one, as The Georgetowner was told that a crane on Canal Road will lower the boat, likely still in its two halves, onto the surface of the water. No doubt to much applause. Expect a VIP reception.

“An exact delivery date has not yet been set as there remain several hurdles to cross before we can confirm the delivery, including testing the boat and repairing the dry dock in the canal.” Georgetown Heritage Executive Director Jeffrey Nichols told The Georgetowner. “However, we do anticipate the boat will arrive this summer [which begins June 20].”

According to Georgetown Heritage, the nonprofit that works with the National Park Service to improve and promote Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park, the motorized boat was built at the Roudebush Yacht & Engine Works shipyard outside of Baltimore. It is more that 80 feet long. Its two halves will be put together after delivery to Georgetown.

Other canal projects await completion. Those include towpath upgrades and expanded lighting as well as a floating dock near 34th Street for launching kayaks and canoes. The towpath mules are expected to return in 2022 for old-fashioned propulsion of the canal boat.

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