Where does Cape Cod Begin? Where can I see a ship?
Hi. To many Cape Cod begins where the Cape Cod peninsula is separated from the Massachusetts mainland. That point of separation would be the Cape Cod Canal. We’ll have a number of posts and artwork exploring the beauty and bountiful activities available at the Cape Cod Canal. There is something for everyone at the Cape Cod Canal. The Cape Cod Canal has scenic bridges, marinas, beaches, fishing piers, campgrounds, visitors center, museums, restaurants, and some of the nicest panoramic sunsets and vistas in the world. And yes… there are boats, tugs, and ships to be seen. Built between 1909 and 1916, the “Big Ditch” stretches 7 miles from Wareham to Sandwich with flat, paved, well lit roadways on either side. It is easily accessed from multiple points with ample free parking and recreation areas making it easily available to all. It is well maintained by the Army Corp. of Engineers. A number of future blogs will explore specific areas around the canal with suggestions for day trips and activities.
To get you acquainted here is a link to a very useful map of the area supplied by the Army Corp. of Engineers who maintain the area. It highlights areas for recreation and parking amongst other information.
Map of Canal
Seeing Ships at the Cape Cod Canal
There are plenty of pleasure craft and fishing boats traveling through the canal especially in the summer and fall. Often tall ships, cruise ships, large tankers, fishing boats, pleasure craft and yachts make there way through the canal to save the long passage around the tip of Massachusetts / Cape Cod. It is exciting o see a tall ship or a huge container ship pass in the canal. Sometimes the ships are so large they look like they will hit the Bourne or Sagamore Bridge some 274 feet above the water. In the fall especially large cruise ships doing a New England tour will pass through the canal. At night they are brightly lit… a really nice sight to see.
It is possible to know when a large ship is passing through. Some travel on a regular route… but, you don’t have to leave this to chance! There is a web site that shows the location of major ships in and around Cape Cod, the canal, and the world. Not only that; the web site often contains pictures and information on the ship and where it is from. So you know what you’re going to get!
A truly amazing site, Marinetraffic.com (link below) can take the guesswork out locating a ship and add lots of information for your enjoyment. The screenshot below shows what you will see on the main screen. Navigating this site is very intuitive. The first screen locates the ships. You can move, expand, or shrink the map regionally. If you click on the ship icon on the map itself an information box appears describing more about the ship as well. Usually a picture, its size, purpose, route and more are all available.
The information bar on the right provides sorting and additional views of information as well. In the winter months ships slow down a little bit in the Cape Cod Canal area… however you can expand the map and easily see ships around Boston, Providence, and New Bedford if you want to test out the App.
Some screen shots are provided below to give you an idea.
Screenshot of ships on either side of the Cape Cod Canal
Screenshot of a specific ship, this one happens to be a cruise ship.
Marine Traffic Website link:
Enjoy!!!
About some of my artwork…
I have quite a few paintings that use the canal as inspiration. Below is a favorite view of mine. On the Sandwich side about mid way down the canal there is a view of the Sagamore and Railroad bridges. Night time at the canal by the bridges is magical as light and reflections dance on the water below. The well lit roadways on wither side of the canal also cast reflections in the water. Slack tide can be especially inspiring as reflections of the bridges themselves can be crystal clear. The painting below is inspired by a photo showing the Sagamore and Railroad bridges on such a moonlit night. Sunsets also provide a stunning, colorful backdrop to the bridges and the canal as well. Links to the purchase of prints and other items are available on this and other pictures in the “gallery” section of this web site.
Prints of this and other fine works available through link below or contact me at Rnsmithfinearts@gmail.com.