On October 18 I quoted a passage from Alton Ballance's book, Ocracokers, and it mentioned the Legged Lumps. A reader asked, "Where--and what--are the 'Legged Lumps'?"
First off, isn't that a great name!
And here is the answer. The Legged Lump (or Legged Lumps...sometimes even the Leggedy Lump or the Two Legged Lump) is a shoal in Pamlico Sound. It is 4 miles NW of Hatteras Inlet, and 8.8 miles NE of Ocracoke Village. For those of our readers with access to a chart, the coordinates are 35 degrees 11 minutes, 58 seconds N, and 75 degrees, 50 minutes, 30 seconds W.
Another way to visualize the Legged Lump is to start at the Pony Pen and drive 2 1/2 miles "north" (remember you are not actually driving north; you are driving northeast). From that point the Legged Lump is about 3 miles due north.
You can find the Legged Lump indicated on "The Complete Illustrated Map of Ocracoke Island" by Len Skinner and Debbie Wells (you can purchase this wonderful map from Village Craftsmen, although it is not listed in our catalog).
You can also search Google maps for "'Legged Lump' Ocracoke" to see its location. A word of caution: if you do a Google image search for "Legged Lump" be prepared for medical pictures!
"Lump" is a term used on the Outer Banks, especially from Ocracoke, south, for a small island, hammock, high piece of ground, or shoal. I suppose this particular lump was named for its shape.
Now, aren't you glad you asked! We are just full of obscure information about Ocracoke.
Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is an article written by my Uncle Marvin Howard in 1954. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news102111.htm.
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Here's an idea for your next "writing assignment" - a dictionary of OBX terms! Don't tell me - you've already done it???
ReplyDeleteChart 11555 from the Office of Coast Survey is viewable online:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.charts.noaa.gov/OnLineViewer/11555.shtml
Looks like a hurdler, mid-jump!
The map by Len Skinner and Debbie Wells is available on your website... http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/artists.htm#Map
ReplyDeleteI have a friend who almost writes a novel on the back of all her pics. Including all maiden and married names and birthdate. If shehas rom she includes where it was taken and the occasion. l love it when she sends me pics by snailmail.
ReplyDeleteJulie S: I have compiled something similar to "a dictionary of OBX terms." It is an extensive list of "Ocracoke Words & Sayings." On this blog I share different words and expressions now and then. Keep reading! I'll share more as time goes on.
ReplyDeleteKevin -- thanks for the link.
ReplyDeleteAnon. 10:21 -- thanks! I thought the map was in our on-line catalog, but then I couldn't find it. I forgot that we'd put it under "Prints."