24 November 2017
The Ten Mile Time Machine
Posted by Dan Satterfield

Approaching Tangier Island in Chopper 16.

Tangier Island in the far distance. Dan’s photo.
I flew to the middle of the Chesapeake Bay Tuesday to visit Tangier Island. It’s just a 25-minute ride on the WBOC Chopper, and one of the most beautiful rides I’ve ever had in Chopper 16 (Yea, and I get paid to do this!). We made the trip to do a quick story on the new (much needed automated (AWOS3) weather station, and the photos are mine. (I’ve added the video of the on-air story at the bottom of this post.)
This Island of quiet where time seems to almost stand still is slowly slipping beneath the waves. The sea level is rising, and the data is quite solid that this Island is likely in its last century. The Mayor made news recently when he told former Vice President Al Gore on CNN that the water in the Bay was not rising and the Island was disappearing because of erosion. Disappearing it is, and the tide gauges and laser-equipped satellites are quite clear that the mayor is wrong.

Virginia’s senators are trying to push through a multi-million dollar project to slow the erosion on Tangier, and while it’s a lot of money to spend to save a tiny population, I can’t hope but think, that even if it delays the end for only a decade or two, its worth it. I did not feel that way before, but seeing it changed my mind. Interestingly, one of America’s first casualties of man-made climate change is a place where reporters can find virtually no one who thinks it’s real! The two senators trying to help them both know the truth though. It’s a delaying action at best.

The British moored their ships here before burning Washington in 1812. The fort they built on Tangier is now under the waves.
If you visit Tangier, you will easily spot the natives. The Islanders have a VERY distinct accent that traces its routes to Cornwall in England. Having been SW England recently, I can say they are indeed very similar! It’s been said that if you want to get an idea of how the founding fathers sounded, go to Tangier. It’s as close as you are likely to get.
Below is the new AWOS3 station.
Below is the story we aired at 11 PM Friday, Nov. 24,2017.