Word of fearsome hazard on popular Hanover stream leaks out!

Area canoeists have been enjoying the North Anna River for years and years. This seemingly friendly body of water has dangers much greater than recreational users are aware of. It is reported that a rock strewn area above U.S. Highway One has flesh eating potential that few people speak of.

An incident long ago contributed to the addition of a manmade hazard that turned a moderately challenging rapid into a low profile carnivorous behemoth lurking quietly beneath the surface. Nearby residents only occasionally speak of the relatively passive river gone awry.
Details are a little sketchy. Many of these have been overheard in pubs and at tractor pulls or other important social functions in the communities of Partlow and Hewlett. Long time members of the local Volunteer Fire Company 16 reportedly know the most about what happened on the North Anna long ago. And, "they ain't talkin".

A recovery effort led to problems that created great dangers and unforeseen hazards on the river. The recovery operation was not a success (which constitutes failure) and with liability issues what they are nowadays those involved divulge little if any information. Numerous interviews and the diligent pursuit of details have led to the reconstruction of "the real story". Many of those claiming first hand knowledge declined to be identified.

It seems that years ago two boy scouts and a three legged beagle, named Tripod, embarked on a canoe trip where events snowballed out of control. The North Anna is normally a very user friendly stream. The scouts were strapping young guys…… the picture of health. Tom and Steve Wozinski had canoeing experience under their belts resulting from active participation with scouting programs. The teenage boys lived up the road in Hanover and their late father, Bud, was a prominent county official in the sixties and seventies.

Apparently when Tom and Steve were young tykes they "borrowed" a neighbor's canoe for a leisurely river trip on the North Anna. Their faithful hound, Tripod, was always at their side (best he could keep up, anyway) and was not to be denied as they embarked on this adventure. Spring rains had the river up a bit …… just enough to add challenge to the successful negotiation of several rocky areas. The boys did well for most of the journey, performance you might expect from two adventure prone youths.

The fall line (a geographical formation) between the piedmont and tidewater regions of the state crosses the river in the vicinity of their mishap. This fall line

changes the character of the river and for a short distance creates a tricky and conniving area that warrants respect from even veteran rivermen. It was at this fall line that tragedy struck. While approaching the rapid the boys shipped water. Luck, agility and balance were with them and the boys fought fiercely to keep the swamped craft upright. Rock after rock struck the hull of the canoe and she ultimately capsized.

Tom and Steve were cast haphazardly into the swirling currents. The brothers immediately glanced about for Tripod and one of the boys reported seeing the floundering pooch treading water "near the deep part". You can imagine the struggle an amputee beagle had trying to dogpaddle to safety sans twenty five percent of his mobility oriented appendages. It seems Tripod never made it. The teenagers bode well and crawled from the aquatic adversary as the canoe floated downstream. The two of them conducted a frantic search for Tripod. They reluctantly gave up on the search as darkness settled in and they knew they had best get home.

Bud Wozinski was hot! He and his wife, Bess, had delayed dinner assuming the boys were out screwing around …… they were less than thrilled when their sons returned without Tripod, a beloved family member. Sleep didn't come easy in the Wozinski home and the following day exploded into activity as Bud alerted the entire county and calmly insisted that the dog would be found. "I used to hunt that pup , well , before the loss of his dog leg anyway." stated Wozinski. "I ain't gonna live with the mere assumption that he has passed on and is resting peacefully in that great dog pen in the sky."

Bud was a powerful man in Hanover County. He was quite a supporter of the local Fire Company 16. The men at the fire company liked Bud and had no real problem with his request that they assemble the brigade and conduct a search for the missing canine. Even on the second day the men were not discouraged with the fruitless effort to help their friend. On day number three some of the volunteers felt disillusioned with the search but continued as others launched a boat and began dragging the riverbed in the area of the mishap. It slowly became obvious that recovery and not search should be the focus of their effort and Captain Bill Timickshun requested that all of his men assist the dragging exercise.

Don't get me wrong, the men at Company 16 are very dedicated volunteers. They have invested an uncanny number of hours in training and their skills approach professional levels. The community would be at a loss without them and the men are much heralded heroes. If, I said IF the men once had a weakness it could have been knot tying. As the recovery effort progressed, the men

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