Photographer Lamar shares: “Whale Branch is a picturesque river that winds northeasterly from the Broad River to the Coosaw River. The Branch crosses under US 21 at Seabrook, which has a broad marsh and lovely grass islands along both of its shores.”
“The origin of the name Whale Branch is unknown; however, dolphins are readily seen in its waters, causing me to speculate that early settlers may have believed the broaching dolphins to be whales. I am especially fond of the small islands of spartina grass out in the Whale Branch, shown here in their winter mantle of soft brown. The Whale Branch is mentioned in histories of the region and in naval archives of the Civil War. A ferry that connected Beaufort with the mainland also operated here for over two centuries.”
See more photos by Lamar Nix.
I have often pondered how Whale Branch got its name. My supposition is that a whale actually came into this branch. The RIGHT WHALE has always made a appearance in the mouth of St Helena’s & Port Royal sounds in the late winter / early spring. Very likely that at some time one had somehow entered into this river. Dolphins have always been present in all these local rivers , streams & creeks , yet I know of no other river named Whale Branch up & down the coast. I would like to think it was actually named after a Whale more so than a dolphin. The choice is yours. Woody Collins