Dismal Swamp's History of Having Pure Water Carried on Colonial Ships

The Dismal  Swamp’s water is amazingly pure because the tannic acids from the bark of the juniper, cypress, and gum trees inhibit bacterial growth in the water. That is the reason the water is amber-colored. The water from the Dismal Swamp was valued by Colonial era sailors on sailing ships before there was refrigeration because the swamp water in kegs remained fresh for extended periods due to its characteristics.  

Some sailors professed to drinking  the water because they believed it prevented sickness and could lead to a longer life. Reports came back that the water tasted good with some reports that it reminded the sailors of sassafras tea which also contains tannins. There were ships that stocked up on the Dismal Swamp water by storing it in wooden kegs before heading on the long voyage across the Atlantic Ocean with expectations that the water would last until they needed it.

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