RedactedNarrative: While waiting for the Great Bridge drawbridge to open, the operator of the sailing vessel "Tootega" was operating under diesel engine power in the vicinity of the pier located at Great Bridge Battlefield and Waterways Historic Park.  The operator placed the gear in reverse and engage the throttle.  He heard an audible click coming from the throttle linkage and immediately lost throttle control.  The vessel backed into a pier pylon and decking causing approximately $5,000 damage to the pier structure.  The point of contact on the TOOTEGA was the self-steering vane which was bent near the bottom and there were scuff marks on either side of the hull where it met the stern.  The approximate damage to the vessel was 2,000.