Crossing Providence Harbor |
The Providence River is formed at the convergence of the Woonasquatucket and Moshassuck Rivers in downtown Providence. It flows south through Providence for a mile to its convergence with the Seekonk River at Bold Point/India Point. It then opens up into Providence Harbor and the Green Jacket Shoal before continuing south for 8-miles to the narrows between Conimicut Point in Warwick and Nayatt Point in Barrington where it becomes Narraganset Bay.
Through the Hurricane Barrier |
We paddled past the Brown University Boat House and up to the George Washington Bridge that carries Route 195 over the Seekonk River. In 1776, George Washington marched his army across the Seekonk River at this point on his way to New York after successfully driving the British out of Boston.
We then headed out across Providence Harbor towards the Fox Point Hurricane Barrier. The water was calm and the tide was high, but the rain was coming down heavy. Rounding Fox Point we passed the tugboats before paddling under the I-way Bridge and through the hurricane barrier into downtown Providence.
Providence was established in 1636 by Puritan theologian Roger Williams who was fleeing religious persecution in Boston. It became a major trading center in the 18th century, a manufacturing center in the 19th century, and a financial center in the 20th century. This history can be seen today in the warehouses, mills and office buildings that line the river. We paddled under the Michael S. Van Leesten Memorial Bridge, a pedestrian bridge built on the piers of the old I-195 bridge, and into downtown Providence.
Skyline from the Cove |
We followed the path of Roger Willams up the Providence River to its headwaters at the confluence of the Woonasquatucket and Moshassuck Rivers. We continued up the Woonasquatucket River into the Cove at Waterplace Park. The Woonasquatucket River arises near Primrose Pond and Stump Pond in Smithfield and flows generally southeast for 16-miles to Providence. We paddled under Providence Place and up past the Foundry mill complex before turning around.
Above Providence Place |
By then, the rain has stopped, and we had a leisurely paddle back through the city and across the harbor. I brought my sea kayak so I could practice some of the strokes that I learned at the kayak training on Saturday. We arrived back at Bold Point at around noon - plenty of time to enjoy the rest of the day. Too bad the rest of the day was filled with rain and thunderstorms.
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