GL: Pressure waves in the water (floating/submerged objects)

[Ralph Yost (home)]

FYI -
The upper Chesapeake Bay gets a lot of large floating debris, especially in 
the spring. The surrounding rivers that feed it wash large tree parts into 
the bay. Next time you pass by Tolchester, a very small cut and marina 
halfway between Rock Hall and Fairlee Creek, stop in. Take a look at the 
large collection of BIG STUFF that they collected on their little beach next 
to the jetty. It will open your eyes when you realize that it was floating 
(or partially floating/submerged) out there in the Bay !
R.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <Truelove39 at aol.com>

> Awhile back, many boats were getting their running gear torn up in the
> Chesapeake and Albemarle Canal upon getting up to semi-planing speed after 
> a  slow
> stretch. But others were not. Soon, it was realized that the boats to
> increase speed were getting away unscathed, while those which followed 
> suffered
> damage. Turns out there was a waterlogged tree in the middle of the canal, 
> and
> the "suction" of the first two boats was "pulling" it upward where it was 
> then
> repeatedly struck by those behind. Whether this was "suction" or a 
> reflected
> pressure wave is neither here nor there, but the fact that it happen(s) 
> is.
> This  was not the first instance of this scenario, nor will it be the 
> last.
> Although  speed was the culprit in this case, worse is to follow a tow 
> closely,
> anywhere  in shallow water.
>
> John
> "Seahorse"