Plymouth is a small but thriving coastal city that looks to both agriculture and modern industry for its livelihood. The town waterfront flanks the southerly shoreline well upstream of flashing daybeacon #17. Within the past several years, the town of Plymouth has constructed some new piers along the river's southerly flank immediately behind the Port O' Plymouth-Roanoke River Museum (see below). This structure can be recognized from the water by the several railroad cars and the red caboose on the museum grounds. Unfortunately, depths at these low-level fixed wooden piers are more than suspect. This writer sounded a mere 4 feet on the outermost sections of the slips, with a bare 2 to 3 feet near the inner portion of the docks. These depths limit this facility's usefulness to most cruising boaters, and even shallow-draft vessels will want to dock bow-in to avoid the 2- to 3-foot waters nearer shore. If you are able to stand these soundings, some 15-amp power hookups are available; water connections are not offered. The slips have obviously been designed for boats 30 feet or (preferably) smaller.
The dilapidated face docks that were for many years the only overnight space for pleasure craft on the Plymouth waterfront are still available. They are located along the Roanoke's southern banks a bit farther upstream (southwest) of the newer piers described above. Depths are much better here, typically 7 feet or more, but this facility will never win any maintenance awards. In fact, the so-called docks are really just a few pilings set out from a wooden bulkhead. Only a single power connection (which requires a very long shore power cord) is available, and no water hookups are in the offing. The Plymouth Police Department is located in the brick building just behind these docks.
The downtown Plymouth business district is readily accessible by foot from either the new or old docks. Begin your tour at the Port O' Plymouth-Roanoke River Museum (210 West Water Street), located just behind the new Plymouth city docks. This attraction gives visitors a good overview of Plymouth's and the Roanoke River's rich history.
Plymouth, North Carolina
Many thanks to Claiborne Young for contributing to our website. If you would like more information about his Cruising Guide Series, or wish to order any of his works, click here.
