See
Willoughby Spit (Tour II) for 1749 forming of the Spit;
in 1894, it consisted of 537K cubic yards of sand 
dredged from Pier 11 at Norfolk
Naval Station, to replenish the shoreline. Norfolk paid more than $440K for sand, only
to see it erode and accumulate at the foot of Chela Avenue. Of course Willoughby
has waxed & waned: in an 1806 storm, 800 acres of sand washed up, increasing it
substantially. 1990 brought more dredging and expansion of a stone jetty visible from the
HRBT; in total there was an installation of ten stone-armored breakwaters, visible on the
beachfront from 7th to 10th stops. Learn what 's "currently up" regarding
Spit sands by reading. Do SOMETHING!
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spit1 (spit) n., [ME. spite < OE. spitu, akin to OHG. spizzi, sharp: for IE. base see SPIKE1] 1. a thin, pointed rod or bar on which meat is impaled for broiling or roasting over a fire or before other direct heat 2. a narrow point of land, or a narrow reef or shoal, extending into a body of water —vt. spitīted, spitīting to fix or impale on or as on a spit —spitīter n.
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Willoughby Spit is blessed with Rebel Marine Service, home of the Norfolk
(Steel) Rebel, the "Tugantine", brainchild of "Lane" (his
ingenius tugboat powered by sails). Capt. Lane Briggs' brilliance is often in
print but he's proudest being cited by Weekly Reader, a confession which makes you
rethink your priorities. You can quote us, "Ya gotta love a guy who incites
Christmas caroling to boat crews, from his own tub!"
(Photos circa 1985, by R K Puma)
