Two couples touring Williamsburg took an afternoon sail for the History Cruise. They got more than that as we went under the Coleman Bridge and up to NWS Yorktown to see the USS Carney. Nearly hidden from view was a Navy submarine, recently arrived for an unknown mission.
I had an inkling of the sub when a Riverine fast boat bobbed and weaved at high speed down the York. They typically escort subs. Then a Moran tugboat followed an hour later, obviously from a delivery mission.
Critical Role
The Navy’s Atlantic Fleet Submarine Force, known as COMSUBLANT, plays a critical role in national defense, strategic deterrence and global maritime operations. Headquartered in Norfolk, the force oversees all submarine activities in the Atlantic Ocean, including operations, maintenance, training and readiness.
The Atlantic Fleet comprises a mix of nuclear-powered submarines, including ballistic missile submarines, attack submarines and guided missile submarines. They are designed for a range of missions. Everything from strategic deterrence and intelligence gathering to anti-submarine warfare and precision strike capabilities.
All Nukes
All submarines in the fleet are nuclear-powered, allowing them to operate submerged for extended periods without surfacing. That enhances their stealth and endurance.
Buck Dawson helmed the entire 3 hours. He plowed through 3-foot waves on a close reach and riding them diagonally on a beam reach. He mastered the technique of running the masthead through the slot of the bridge — twice.
Ballistic missile submarines, such as those of the Ohio-class, are the backbone of the Navy’s strategic deterrent. Armed with Trident II D5 missiles, these submarines patrol the Atlantic to ensure a credible second-strike capability in the event of a nuclear war.
Attack Subs
Attack submarines such as the Virginia-class and Los Angeles-class are more versatile. They conduct surveillance, support special operations, and engage enemy submarines and surface ships. Guided missile submarines carry a large payload of Tomahawk cruise missiles and support special operations. Tomahawks are what the load and unload at Yorktown NWS.
During World War II, U.S. submarines in the Atlantic were tasked with patrolling enemy waters. They also supported operations like the invasion of North Africa.
As we turned to leave the submarine, the afternoon sun reflected off the hull despite the dull black paint meant to show up as dark.
High Readiness
The Atlantic Fleet force continues to evolve with integration of unmanned systems, enhanced sonar capabilities and improved communication networks. The fleet maintains a high state of readiness to respond to threats, protect sea lanes, and uphold U.S. interests across the Atlantic and beyond.
Women enjoy sailing today more than ever, and particularly a romantic cruise. Couples get to enjoy a romantic getaway as they sit up on the bow for privacy, and Let’s Go Sail provides professional photos for free. First-time or skilled mariners are welcome to sail a modern-32-foot sailboat in a unique setting of wildlife and Fall foliage or Spring bloom. It makes for an extraordinary anniversary idea.
Sub Redux
Since it was still there and we had no wind, I took three ladies up to NWS to see the submarine. Jennifer Thibedeau and Vanessa Vargas of San Diego were the salient of a conference of State Farm Christians convening in Williamsburg. The next 12 were coming in the next day.
Jennifer’s daughter Samantha Trow joined us from Yorktown, as she is a nuclear engineer at Newport News Shipyard. I learned a new term from her mom: TLAR for That Looks About Right. Samantha is working on the refit of the USS Stennis, an aircraft carrier built in the 1970s.
As we sailed past the unidentified sub, the ladies noticed it for the first time. “Wow!” said Vanessa. “My ex-husband was a submariner. I think that does something to your psyche, serving underwater for months at a time.”
Samantha said the prop is highly confidential. “When we lift the boat out of the water, they throw a big white curtain around it so no one can see how the propeller is configured. It stays until the last minute when the sub goes back into the water. Then they remove the curtain.”
Spies are a problem. “If they come in by drone, we are authorized to shoot them down.”
They see Navy ships all the time in San Diego Bay. Jennifer said, “A guy speeding in a boat crashed right into the Midway. ‘Did you not see that it was an aircraft carrier?'” she mocked. “Of course, he was drunk.”
Oops
Fellow bought a 30-foot sailboat and moved it to another slip but forgot to tie off the port bow. It got caught at low tide on the finger pier and went sidewample as the tide rose. The marina GM boarded the boat to see what to do, but a nearby sailor suggested that God should let his miracle work… as the tide rises.
Canjun Navy
The second group on State Farm Christians went sailing on a beautiful Sunday morning. Sally Brooks said, “We’ve seen terrific work by the Cajun Navy, who originated in Louisiana during Katrina and have worked in Texas as well. You can look it up.” So I did.
The Cajun Navy is a volunteer-based grassroots organization that emerged from the heart of Louisiana, known for its rapid and courageous response during natural disasters. Originally formed in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the group consists of everyday citizens—many with boats—who mobilize to rescue people trapped by floodwaters when official emergency services are overwhelmed or delayed.
What sets the Cajun Navy apart is its agility and deep sense of community. These volunteers often use social media and apps to coordinate rescues in real time, navigating treacherous conditions to reach those in need. Their efforts gained national attention during Hurricane Harvey in 2017, when hundreds of Cajun Navy members traveled to Texas to assist in evacuations and supply deliveries. Since then, they’ve responded to numerous disasters across the Gulf Coast and beyond, including Hurricane Ida and various tornado outbreaks.
The group operates without government funding, relying instead on donations and the goodwill of its members. Their motto—“neighbors helping neighbors”—reflects a spirit of solidarity and selflessness. Though not officially recognized as an emergency response unit, their impact has been profound, often bridging the gap between chaos and safety during critical moments.
Beyond rescues, the Cajun Navy has expanded its mission to include disaster relief, supply distribution, and community rebuilding. They’ve become a symbol of resilience and grassroots action, showing how ordinary people can make extraordinary differences. Their work highlights the power of local knowledge, quick mobilization, and compassion in times of crisis.
Let’s Go Sail
Check the “Book A Cruise” tab and pick a day for a sailboat charter. Scroll down reviews on Trip Advisor. Go back to the home page of Williamsburg Charter Sails.
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Ideal for Couples
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