After a prolonged stop to take care of selling True North, we left Portsmouth, Viriginia to head up the Chesapeake Bay and into Maryland, our sixth state. The first stop was Solomons Island on the Western Shore. This is a popular boating location. At the Calvert Maritime Museum, we learned about the crab and oyster industries that were key to the economy. Particularly interesting were the skipjacks, flat-bottomed sailing vessels preferred by “watermen” or oyster fishermen. As sailors, we were sceptical of the flat bottom, but it enabled entering shallow waters where oysters grow. For sailing, they had swing centerboards that could be lowered in deeper water. The regulations prohibited motors, but they were allowed to have a motorized tender that worked as a tugboat getting them in and out of harbors.
An ominous storm was bearing down on the area with threats of a tornado. Fortunately, we got through the night without a tornado, or other natural disaster for that matter, and were glad to push on the next morning.
Oxford (near Cambridge), was our next stop. There was a strong wind out of the North so we had to beat (tack) our way up the bay, fighting some ugly chop. Fregata was covered in salt by the time we dropped the anchor because of the sea spray coming over the bow. But the northerly wind brought cooler air, and much needed relief from the hot, humid day we spent in Solomons. Oxford is a quaint little town on the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake. The highlight was the Scottish Highland Creamery boasting sharing happiness, not to mention the best ice cream in Maryland!
We had a peaceful anchorage where we enjoyed the sunset and the cool air brought in by northerly wind.
Another claim to fame of Oxford is picket fences handpainted by local artists.
4 Responses
Growing up in Baltimore in the 1940s and 50s, you’d often see newspaper stories of Oyster Wars on the Chesapeake Bay. These were occasioned when Virginia watermen would attempt to harvest Maryland oysters. Maryland oystermen were none too happy to see their Virginia counterparts interfering with their livelihoods and frequently gunfire would break out.
Hi Larry, Interesting! There are some similar tales concerning lobstermen up north too. We visited the Chesapeake Martime Museum in St. Michaels yesterday and learned a lot about the Oyster trade! D&S
Fun to follow along. Beating up the Chesapeake, gotta make one love that pilot house!
Yes… nothing like being warm and dry when it’s rough on the nose!