Novelist seeks info on charting from Oriental to Old Town, South River

[piratequeen]

I'm looking for some salty folks who've navigated the Outer Banks. I've just returned from the OBX, NC, where I conducted research for my next novel. The central character and her family will travel by water from Oriental to the South River. There was some information given to me that I can't confirm about a cemetery in Old Town. Supposedly the plague hit that area some time in history and the survivors left Old Town and moved to what is now called Oriental. I would appreciate information, links, or other resources to confirm the plague story. Also, I'd like to know what would be the largest craft to use for a family who might take that route from Oriental, present day. And where would the boat dock for a fishing stop around South River? You may email me also
pattyhickman@bellsouth.net. Thanks!

[Vasco]

At one time good novelists employed researchers or did their own. I guess posting on the internet is doing your own nowadays but how reliable is the information? I guess, from reading some news articles, fact checking is out the window too.

[Microship]

In defense of Piratequeen... why not take advantage of available tools to perhaps get lucky and find the perfect source for the required information? There's such a thing as abusing the resource and letting forums do all the work, but this seems like a perfectly valid way to begin research into the nautical history of a place. I can't see what's wrong with asking sailors for some insight to begin the research process; as a reader, I appreciate it when a story has the ring of authenticity (especially if it deals with a place or technology that I happen to know something about).

-Steve

[Sunspot Baby]

We have been to the cemetery. The story we got from cruising guides (Clayborne Young) says the town was wiped out by hurricane.

George