News

Middlesex Couple, Ketch reunited after a half century

Updated:
By Larry Chowning
The sailing ketch Surprise (above) was built in Urbanna in 1967. It was first named MARWAL and built by the late Joe Conboy. It was the boat that brought John and Vera England to Middlesex County. The couple recently took a cruise in the Bahamas on the vessel. John England (below) has his hands back on the wheel piloting the ketch — a highlight of the cruise. (Contributed photos)

Englands rediscover ketch they sailed from Urbanna to Cape Cod 50 years ago

For John and Vera England of Urbanna, 50 years of marriage came full circle this summer when the couple booked a trip in the Bahamas on the sailing vessel Surprise.

On the surface the name of the vessel Surprise means little to Middlesex County boat enthusiasts but when its former name MARWAL is mentioned knowledgable mariners recall the mid-1960s when a young boatbuilder named Joe Conboy came to Urbanna.

Larry Chowninghttps://ssentinel.com
Larry is a reporter for the Southside Sentinel and author of several books centered around the people and places of the Chesapeake Bay.
Previous article
School system offered $4,300 for site to store sewage at SCW
Next article
Elizabeth Clark “Betty Mae” Williams

e-Edition

Stay Connected

6,893FansLike
1,063FollowersFollow
1,743FollowersFollow
101SubscribersSubscribe