Portsmouth, New Hampshire is in many ways defined by its relationship with water.
Located on the Piscataqua River and adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean, the city has a rich and lengthy maritime history with a busy working harbor. Small-boat fishermen who make their living harvesting lobster, cod and shrimp have worked out of Portsmouth for more than 400 years. The area's shipbuilding tradition goes back to the late 1600s.
Portsmouth and the Navy also have a longstanding association: President John Adams established the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in 1800. The oldest continuously operating navy yard in the country, it now specializes in the overhaul and modernization of nuclear submarines and employs roughly 9,000 people (civilian and military combined).
Commercial tour vessels operate out of the harbor as well.
Three bridges span the Piscataqua connecting Portsmouth and Kittery, Maine: the Memorial, the Sarah Long (aka the Middle Bridge), and the I-95 Piscataqua River Bridge. Both the Memorial and Sarah Long are vertical lift designs which raise to allow river traffic to pass, while the I-95, a through-arch design, is high enough that its position can remain fixed and still accommodate large vessels.
This is the Memorial Bridge:
If you're looking for interesting subject matter to photograph, the Portsmouth waterfront can keep you quite busy.
Last week I showed you the Formal Garden at Prescott Park, situated near the river's shore. Today, I'll show you some of its profile as an active, multifaceted harbor.
Pictured above is the commercial fishing pier on Pierce Island, where hardworking crews bring in their catch each day. Beyond the trees is the steeple of the landmark North Church.
All who cruise the Piscataqua know it can be a tricky river to navigate because its current is powerful and very fast. At its peak it runs 12 knots: the fastest river on the eastern seaboard and one of the fastest in the country. Using this waterway requires skill.
Thinking of swimming? Find another watering hole; it's too treacherous for a dip.
Huge freighters routinely travel in and out of Portsmouth, a sight which I've always found fascinating. While back in New Hampshire recently, I was treated to an inbound bulk carrier one day followed by an oil tanker the next.
Guiding a vessel which is more than 600 feet long from the sea into the Piscataqua and on to the docks clearly is best left to the experts, both on the ships and in the tugboats. It's a delicate task owing to the combination of tight turns, a narrow waterway, the strong current, and the necessity of maneuvering around bridges.
The Moran Tugboats are, along with the North Church, a signature sight in Portsmouth. Currently a fleet of five, they're moored at Ceres Street on the waterfront in the heart of downtown. Handy Four, the tug pictured below, is on its way out to assist the Nor'easter (pictured above) safely into the harbor and to its dock.
[Sidenote: Moran Towing has been in operation since 1860 and operates a fleet of 100 tugs mostly up and down the U.S. East Coast.]
In the aerial photograph below, you can see where the tugs dock. The vessel just getting underway is a tour boat.
Portsmouth can keep photographers endlessly busy. Beyond the active harbor and waterfront, the historic city - settled in 1623 - offers plenty of picturesque subject matter during all four seasons.
If your travels take you to Boston, carve out extra time for New Hampshire. Portsmouth is only an hour north of Beantown and well worth exploring.
In Local News
Winter began knocking on the door in Teton County last weekend, with snow falling all the way down to 4800 feet.
More than 30 vehicles involved in incidents related to snow and ice caused the closure of all roads in Yellowstone south of Mammoth Sunday afternoon. Roads were open again as of Monday, but if you're planning on heading into the park for one last visit before the season ends, expect winter driving conditions.
All entrances (except Gardiner) will close Saturday as Yellowstone prepares for the winter season and oversnow travel.