Providence - July 4, 2024

Crossing Providence Harbor

I have led a RICKA Flatwater trip on the Providence River on July 4th for the past few years. It seems appropriate since one of the first insurrections of the Revolutionary War – the Gaspee Affair – was carried out on the Providence River in 1772. Providence was also the first colony to declare independence on May 4, 1776, and Rhode Island was the last state to ratify the Constitution in 1790 after additional protections were added by the Bill of Rights.

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.

Under the I-way Bridge and
through the hurricane barrier

We had a group of nine boats – two canoes and seven kayaks. Surprisingly, this time I was in my sea kayak. It was cloudy and a little windy as we put in at Bold Point across from India Point - the base of operations for the Brown family’s merchant fleet in the second half of the 18th century.

Further up the Seekonk River is the Washington Bridge that carries Route 195 across 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.

The Providence skyline

We headed out across Providence Harbor towards the Fox Point Hurricane Barrier. The tide was going out and there were a few wind-blown waves. Rounding Fox Point we fought the outgoing current as we passed the tugboats and paddled 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 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.

Up the Woonasquatucket River

In the heart of Providence the river passes through Waterplace Park. Completed in 1994, Waterplace Park includes pedestrian bridges over the river that connect over a mile of cobblestone-paved walkways known as the Riverwalk. The park is home to the popular summertime Waterfire events. Volunteers for Waterfire were loading the braziers for that night's event as we paddled upstream.

We followed the path of Roger Williams 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.

Back to Providence Place

It was on the Moshassuck River that Roger Williams established the Providence colony in 1636. The Moshassuck River arises near Lime Rock in Lincoln and flows generally south for 9-miles to Providence. The river became important during the Industrial Revolution, powering numerous mills (including the Moffett Mill on Great Road) and becoming the lower section of the Blackstone Canal.

We had a leisurely paddle back through the city. A strong headwind made crossing back to Bold Point a little more challenging, but we all made it fine. Traffic on the Washington Bridge on the way home wasn’t bad, and I was home by noon to put the awnings on the house.

The crew at the Cove

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