It was our first season and our first anchoring.  We wanted to go watch the last submarine to be launched "sliding down the ways", the 771 boat at Electric Boat on the Thames River.  This looked like the ideal opportunity to try our hand at anchoring and watch the festivities.

We first had to get through the railroad drawbridge on the Thames.  As we approached the bridge it was closed and the bridge operator was not going to be opening for some time.  We pounded around, slowly circling with our small outboard, mulling over our options.  Short of stepping the mast, it was either go back to the marina, or wait.  The answer soon came steaming out of the Submarine Base.  A Navy tug, loaded with spectators, had the same idea and was headed down to the boat launching.  I saw the bridge start to open as the tug approached.  (guess we just didn't rate an opening)  Since we were almost on top of the bridge with the tug getting close I goosed the outboard to RAMMING SPEED as I headed away from the bridge hoping to put about 50 yards between myself and the stern of the tug and slip through the bridge opening after them.  We quickly notified the bridge operator our intentions and to make sure he would accommodate us.  He quickly radioed back, "You're not going through if you keep going in that direction!"  Instead of an "opening", I guess this was going to be more like a "paper cutter" action and the only way we were going to get through was "up close and personal" to the stern of the tug.  The tug had just passed us as I pulled the tiller hard and turned us a fast 180 degrees.  About a boat length from the stern of the tug and 100 feet from the bridge pilings, away we went.

We caught the first wake from the stern of the tug and another rapidly overtaking the stern.  I could nolonger hear the motor as it was now completely submerged.  We were taking water in the transom vent.  Everyone looking aft had eyes the size of silver dollars.  I didn't even want to turn around and look.  Bridge pilings to the right, surfable wake and tug to the left...  from the cabin, these words of encouragement spurred me on.  "WE HAVE A FIRE DOWN HERE!"  My Navy training kicked in as I yelled below "DEAL WITH IT!"  I am now about to be swamped, smashed, and anything left will be summarily toasted.  Good thing I was not outside the 3 mile limit where I could get into REAL trouble!  If my insurance company could only see me now.  For the lack of a better plan I held my course and breath.  Great cover gaskets on those Honda outboards!  As the stern came out of the swell I could hear the engine still screaming.  The fire turned out to be an electrical short in one of those 12v plug in fans and a plastic bag and we made it clear of the bridge and tug.  You can't buy adventure like this!  The fire did no damage down below and we soon found a place to drop the anchor and with the help of a putty knife I was able to pry my fingers from their death-grip on the tiller.

We watched the submarine launching, ate hot dogs, and looked at all the other boats that had gathered to watch the lauch.  As we were getting ready to leave I did notice the boat in front of us having trouble getting their anchor up.  At one point they had taken the rode to a winch on the mast and with two men were pulling with all their might.  With every inch they gained I could see the stern of their 30 footer go down then slowly up.  Finally their anchor broke the surface with a large loop of........... UNDERWATER CABLE wrapped through the flukes.  They were scratching their heads as the Coast Guard motored over to share their good fortune.  Yup, the chart said "underwater cable"!  We didn't do the "yachting wave" as we departed.