Even if they had lost their sail, one would image they could kick or paddle seven miles in a week. From the article:
The boys were about seven miles off Cape Fear — six days and more than 100 miles from where they had put in off Sullivans Island, S.C., on April 24.
Right, they were windblown north. Even though they made 100 miles leeway, they only had to make seven headway to hit land. Any how did they lose sight of land, or the evening glow coming off the coast?
Maybe I shouldn't be so harsh, but lubbers this inept need to stay in the shallow end of the pool.