The Water Witch was a steam-powered sidewheel gunboat that served in the United States Navy. It was commissioned in 1851 and primarily operated in Central America and the Caribbean. The main idea for the construction of the Water Witch was to support the United States' interests in those regions. The gunboat's shallow draft allowed it to navigate rivers and coastal areas, making it ideal for surveying rivers and coastlines. It was also equipped with weapons, such as cannons and howitzers, to protect itself and its crew. The Water Witch was involved in various operations during its service.
My grandmother, a wise and loving Christian woman, had a strong influence on me. She would sit on her front porch shelling peas for supper, her eyes would shine with light, and my heart would burn as she told stories about the many people Jesus helped and how the demons and religious leaders didn’t like him.
She would sit on her front porch shelling peas for supper, her eyes would shine with light, and my heart would burn as she told stories about the many people Jesus helped and how the demons and religious leaders didn t like him. After enduring sexual abuse as a child and struggling with relationships, drinking, and rebellious impulses as a teenager, I longed for some means of empowerment and escape.
The Water Witch was involved in various operations during its service. One notable event was its participation in the United States' expedition to Paraguay in 1858-1859. The goal of this expedition was to negotiate a trade agreement with Paraguay and protect American interests in the region.
I Was a New-Age Healer. Then I Realized I Wasn’t the One Doing the Healing.
F rom the time I was a child, skipping along the creek bank to my grandparents’ house, I felt I could sense (and at times see) what you could call the unseen or spirit world.
Sometimes this world was as sweet as the childlike wonder of knowing where the prize Easter egg was hidden. Other times, an ominous flash of perception would warn me that I was in a home where witchcraft was practiced. Often, these experiences were accompanied by a vision and a sensation of hot or cold in my heart, forearms, and hands.
There were confusing times, too, when I had a strong suspicion someone couldn’t be trusted or wasn’t telling the truth. Being a child, I wasn’t sure when to speak up or what to say, so I tended to blurt out whatever came to mind.
“You’re being nosy again,” my mother would say in her gentle way, even though I could tell I was testing her patience. “You need to mind your own business.”
The Demonic Doorway
My grandmother, a wise and loving Christian woman, had a strong influence on me. She would sit on her front porch shelling peas for supper, her eyes would shine with light, and my heart would burn as she told stories about the many people Jesus helped and how the demons and religious leaders didn’t like him.
As a teenager, I was curious about the supernatural realm, and I started satisfying that curiosity with books on the occult. I loved God, but I also nursed a disobedient streak. And even though the subject matter was frightening, I found myself gradually lured in. I bought a Ouija board and became interested in clairvoyance—the ability to know things about people and places, present or future, based on heightened perception.
As the doorway to the demonic realm swung open, terrifying incidents occurred. At one point, I slept with a Bible because I believed I was hearing demons in my room. Another night, unable to sleep, I kept watching my bedroom door, sensing that someone was standing just outside. Another time, I woke up in a cold sweat after feeling a tug at my nightgown and hearing a low, menacing growl in my ear.
Yet the idea of accessing supernatural powers remained appealing. After enduring sexual abuse as a child and struggling with relationships, drinking, and rebellious impulses as a teenager, I longed for some means of empowerment and escape. And in later years I was drawn to the promise of self-healing and the opportunity to heal others.
Looking back, I see how Satan was preparing me to be seduced by one of the greatest dangers of New Age thinking: the false promise of peace through spiritual enlightenment. Although Christians often associate New Age philosophies with crystal balls, Ouija boards, and séances, most New Agers regard these activities as dime-store knockoffs of more mature paths of self-discovery. Many are health care workers, environmentalists, engineers, and teachers. Their worldly success and sophistication are alluring. Their lives appear the pillar of peace and stability.
Article continues belowThe Water Witch played a crucial role in surveying the Paraguay River and ensuring safe navigation for other American vessels. While the Water Witch had successful missions, it also faced challenges during its service. The gunboat frequently encountered hostile encounters with pirates, privateers, and indigenous communities. It had to engage in combat to defend itself and protect American interests. However, these encounters also brought criticism to the Water Witch, as some claimed that it became too involved in local conflicts and interfered with the internal affairs of other countries. The Water Witch's final mission took place in 1861, during the early stages of the American Civil War. It was tasked with delivering dispatches to the Union forces stationed in Pensacola, Florida. However, during its journey, the Water Witch was captured by Confederate forces and subsequently burned to prevent its recapture by the Union Navy. Overall, the Water Witch served as an important vessel in the United States Navy. Its primary purpose was to support American interests in Central America and the Caribbean, mainly by surveying rivers and coastlines. While it successfully completed its missions, it also faced challenges from various hostile encounters. Although its service came to an unfortunate end, the Water Witch remains a notable part of naval history..
Reviews for "The Water Witch: Charting New Waters in Naval Exploration"
1. John - 2/5 stars - I found "Water Witch US Navy" to be quite disappointing. The plot was slow and lacked any real excitement, and the characters felt flat and uninteresting. The writing style was also a bit dry and lacked the depth and emotion that I look for in a good novel. Overall, I was very underwhelmed by this book and wouldn't recommend it to others.
2. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I really wanted to like "Water Witch US Navy", but unfortunately, it just didn't capture my attention. The story felt disjointed and hard to follow, and I had a difficult time connecting with the characters. Additionally, the pacing was off, with long, drawn-out descriptions that didn't add much to the overall plot. Overall, I felt let down by this book and wouldn't consider reading another from the author.
3. Mark - 1/5 stars - "Water Witch US Navy" was a complete waste of time for me. The narrative was confusing, with random jumps in time and place that left me feeling lost. The characters were poorly developed, and I couldn't bring myself to care about their fates. The lack of clear direction and purpose made it hard for me to keep reading, and I ultimately gave up halfway through. I would not recommend this book to anyone who wants a well-crafted and engaging story.