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 (there may even be a little sampling).
$125.00
per person includes 6 hours of sailing, participating in dredging,
lunch, 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
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.
