There was a time when hundreds of wind driven vessels
called "Skipjacks"
sailed the Chesapeake Bay in search of oysters. Crews
were hard working
men, pushed to the limits of their endurance,
competing for a share
of the harvest-challenging the elements while dredging
under sail.
Those days are gone, some say never to return!
However, a rare opportunity
exists to experience life aboard a working skipjack.
Chesapeake Heritage Conservancy, a non-profit
organization that preserves and operates the Skipjack Martha Lewis will
be offering Discovery Dredging - a hands on, once in a lifetime
opportunity to work with a crew dredging for the succulent
bivalves-hauling dredges and culling.
$125.00
per person includes 6 hours of sailing,
participating in dredging,
2 dozen oysters (if available), use of rain
pants and
rubber gloves.
** Participant
must bring with them rubber boots, brimmed and
cold weather
hat, thin warm gloves, heavy-duty rain gear, and
a change of
clothes.
HOW TO
REGISTER
Please contact our
office at 410-939-4078 or
email
us
to experience a unique cultural and educational
exploration on board the Skipjack Martha Lewis.
She is one of the few remaining working dredge
boats that make
up the Chesapeake Bay Oyster Fleet - the last to
fish commercially
under sail in the United States of America.
Space is limited
to ten passengers a day, so don't delay!
Chesapeake Heritage Conservancy,
Inc. is a non-profit 501C3
organization.
