QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER of CALVERT MARINE MUSEUM BOATBUILDING AT SOLOMONS: ISAAC DAVIS And THE BUGEYE CLYDE by Geoffrey M. FooLner HE CIVIL WAR DISRUPTED as the larger schooners that carried Isaac Solomon's fleet consisted of the Chesapeake Bay oyster Solomon's oysters to Baltimore and several types of craft, and Isaac T industry which had a period of returned with supplies for the plant Davis' job was to keep them in significant growth in the decade and for the men and their families service over the long oyster season. preceding hostilities. At the war's whom he brought in to work for him. The pungy Father and Sons was built end, Isaac Solomon, an agressive In May 1870 a shipwright, Isaac at Newtown in 1870, and it is Baltimore packer, moved quickly to Davis, arrived on the island to work possible that she was the first new reestablish his facilities, his network at the marine railway and shipyard. vessel built by Davis in the area. of suppliers, and his fleet of vessels — Nothing is known of his life before Mewtown is the old name for the reviving the business in which he he arrived at Solomons. It is settlement just beyond Johnstown had been engaged during that possible that he was a cousin of on Back Creek. The fact that Isaac prewar decade, both in Baltimore John Henry Davis of Dorchester Solomon, father, and Charles and and on the Eastern Shore. In County who settled at Solomons William, his sons, were engaged in November 1865 he purchased nine years later and whose son, the business at Solomons lends Sandy Island near the mouth of the Marcellus Mitchell Davis, further credence to the possibility Patuxent River and shortly established the shipbuilding that this pungy was built locally for thereafter commenced developing it facilities which were the foundation the oyster firm. By 1871 a separate as his base of operations. Watermen of the economy of Solomons for delivered their catch to his packing ninety years. Continued on page 6 plant and had soon begun to call the island "Solomon's." Indeed, Isaac Solomon himself used this name for the island in his listings in Woods' Baltimore City Directory as early as 1868. Isaac Solomon's grand scheme for the island included the packing house, a marine railway and shipyard, a general store and chandlery, and an oyster cannery. In 1869 a marine railway was hauling and repairing dredge boats as well
Editor's note; This is the sixth in the series of articles on boatbuilding at Solomons, one of its principal industries for many years. This article describes an important early boatbuilder, pre-dating the better- known builders James T. Marsh and M.M. Dauis, both covered in earlier articles. The details of this boatbuilder haue become Salomon's ,
Continued from page 2 CMM Awarded Grant hours and contributed materials and provide educational services at its rental allowances valued at $94,117. present level for its 1,500 members Without CMM's dedicated volunteer and the more than 100,000 visitors Classic Yachts To force the museum simply could not it serves each year. Through grants, Visit Solomons function at its present level of awards, donations, and membership activity. fees the museum generates The Solomons Island Yacht Club This award will help the Calvert approximately 30 percent of its is hosting a visit from the Classic Marine Museum meet the ever overall operations budget. Yacht Club of America at its club increasing general operating costs pier on Saturday, July 18. Some of which only 65 percent are funded In addition to CMM, the Battle fifteen wooden boats, ranging in size by the Calvert County government. Creek Cypress Swamp Mature from 32 to 55 feet and all over 25 At present, nine members of the Center will receive $9,292 in years of age, are expected to be museum staff are supported by self- supplemental operating funds from open for public viewing. The generated moneys. The grant from IMS. This grant award will enable Solomons club is celebrating its IMS will help fund a portion of these the Nature Center to expand and 50th anniversary this year. For salary costs as well as other better manage its collections which further information contact the operating expenses. are an important component of the Solomons Island Yacht Club at With the support from IMS, the educational services provided to the 326-3718. museum can expect to continue to public. MUSEUM SPECIAL BENEFIT EVENTS IN 1987 Because of construction on the museum grounds, the decision was made this year not to hold any concerts of the Waterside Music Festival, so successful in the previous two years. Although special benefit events for the museum have been somewhat limited, the Calvert Marine Society's Capital Campaign Committee has remained very active. The major benefit event this year was the openhouse and art auction at historic Mulberry Fields on Sunday afternoon, May 3. The owners of this lovely eighteenth- century house and plantation, Mary and Holger Jansson, were most Spring house tour and art auction at Mulberry Fields, St. Mary's Counly, May 3. 1987, gracious in opening their house and CMM photo by Paul Berry grounds to visitors, with new exhibits. The drawing for this refreshments provided by the raffle will be held on Wednesday sponsoring Campaign Committee. evening, August 5, at a reception at Music by the St. Mary's College Jazz the museum's J.C. Lore Oyster Ensemble added to the pleasure of House building. Participants in last the occasion. One of the buildings year's raffle have been notified of was turned into a temporary gallery the availability of tickets in a special in which were displayed several mailing. Anyone interested in hundred art works by regional participating should call or write the artists, with an auction of some of museum, attention of the Capital these works. This fundraising event Campaign Committee. has netted the museum nearly On Saturday, September 26, the $3,000 for the exhibit third annual Benefit Fashion Show implementation for the museum's and Luncheon will be held at new exhibition building. Penwick House in Dunkirk, this year This summer the committee is to benefit CMM. Reservations and conducting its second annual fifty- other information may be obtained fifty raffle, expected to net the by calling Penwick House at (301) museum another $5,000, also for 855-5388 or (301) 257-7077. YOU CANT TAKE IT WITH YOU — But You CAN Decide Where it Goes! Long-range financial planning — museum's Board of Governors, opportunities of planned giving as a something most of us put off — is a moreover, continues to work to way of assisting CMM in, a frequent concern of the Calvert develop financial policies to meaningful and tax-wise manner. If Marine Museum. Many times the safeguard against these pressures. you are not in a position to support pressures of daily operational costs Sometimes it means altering our the museum with an outright gift but seem to demand that the money set plans for a few months to stay within are interested in being a pivotal part aside for the future is needed now. a revised budget, but this also •of our preservation and educational Several museum staff members, for means that the museum's efforts, then one of many planned example, are employed by the operations will be more secure in giving programs may be of interest Calvert Museum Society and are the future. To this end, the museum to you. Bequests by will, dependent on grant funds for their has established an endowment fund contributions of life insurance salaries. These funds are not secure, to help secure its future. proceeds, or charitable income gifts so every year these employees face Individual financial planning can of a "unitrust" or annuity trust — the possibility of losing their jobs, help CMM in this process. Members any of these will support our and the museum faces the fact that of the Calvert Marine Society are educational and preservation it might have to cut programs. The encouraged to consider the Continued on page 5 5
You Can't Take It With Board Ponders Future of CMM
I \J U continued from page 4 programs. Regardless of your support of CMM, however, we urge financial planning, if for no other reason than to make sure your assets are distributed in the manner you — and not the state — decide. The Calvert Marine Museum has filled an important role in the preservation of the Patuxent River Calvert Marino Museum board members, January 1987. In kont (let! !o rujtni: Don Baie, Paul Bctrv, Jack and Chesapeake Bay's history and William^. Linda McGilvery; back row (lefl lo right): Alien Handen Sallv M< Grain, Let' Howell. hl'en culture during its 17 years of Zatiniser, Joyce ferries, Ralph Eshelman, Griffith Oursler and Edgar woodburn. Members not prcbe-nl: Judgt Perry Bowen, Laurence Cumberland, Matthew Gambrill, Palli Runco and William Simms existence. This work would not be photo by Paula Johnson possible without the generous and persistent commitment of its CMM's Board of Governors has County Commissioners, joining the members and friends, and the begun a review of a five-year, long- fourteen other members on the foresightedness of the Calvert range plan for the museum prepared board: Sarah Lee Howell, local civic County government. Annual by the staff. Now that the three- leader who has been active on the membership dues, capital gifts, phase Master Development Plan for Capital Campaign Committee; endowment funds, and profits from museum facilities is well underway, Joyce Lyon Terhes, one of three the Museum Store have brought there is a clear need to consider newly elected Calvert County CMM from a small donated critically the effects of the growth commissioners, appointed as their collection to a quality, highly and changes that will occur during representative; and F. Ross Holland, respected, accredited leader in the the next five years. A day-long administrator and writer, most museum world. retreat for board and staff was held recently concerned with the Although Calvert County in Annapolis on June 8 to begin the restoration of the Statue of Liberty. generously supports approximately process of reviewing the museum's Board officers this year are: two-thirds of our operations at mission and objectives, with the chairman, Paul Berry; vice- present, the demands of the intention of setting achievable goals chairman, Jack Williams; secretary, museum in the immediate future and of establishing priorities. Linda McGilvery; and treasurer, Don will far exceed the present dollar Three new members have been Bare. amount budgeted to CMM. We must appointed this year by the Calvert depend on individuals like yourself to assure the welfare and continuity of CMM, its growth, and its quality PUBLICATIONS educational programs. In order to maintain the high level The museum press has just from their beginning in Great Britain and quality of its work, however, published Marshnotes: An to their use in a number of CMM's financial base must be Introduction to the Salt Marsh, an lighthouses in the Chesapeake Bay, interpretative publication to the and includes some interesting early broadened in the years to come. drawings. Dr. Eshelman's article, Your gift can be designated for a museum's marsh walk, written by specific program, project, or area of Jeffrey Rothenberg and illustrated written with Dennis L. Noble, traces interest, or you can support the daily by Scott Rawlins and Susan Le Van. the history of the Drum Point operations of CMM with a This publication has been produced Lighthouse specifically, from the contribution to the general under a grant for the Waterlife first consideration of a light at Drum operating fund. Our members — Festival, Inc., located in Salisbury, Point until the relocation and people who appreciate the Patuxent Maryland. Under this grant CMM has restoration of the lighthouse at the re-done its wildlife exhibits and has museum in 1975. Both articles add River and the Chesapeake Bay, its to the literature on this interesting resources, its culture, and its future prepared the text and illustrations — can make a difference in helping for the new publication. structure. further the mission of the Calvert The spring 1987 issue of The Copies of Marshnotes and the Keeper's Log, the publication of the issue of The Keeper's Log are Marine Museum. available from the CMM Museum For more information about United States Lighthouse Society, planned giving, and other methods includes two articles on screwpile Store, Box 97, Solomons, Maryland, 20688. Marshnotes is 52.00 per copy of supporting CMM, contact the lighthouses, including the Development Office, Calvert Marine museum's Drum Point Lighthouse, and The Keeper's Log is $5.00. one written by CMM Director Ralph Maryland residents should add five Museum, P.O. Box 97, Solomons, percent sales tax. Postage and Maryland 20688, or (301)326-2042. Eshelman, the other by Volunteer and Special Events Coordinator handling are $0.75 for orders under Layne Bergin. Layne's article traces $2.50 and $1.50 for orders of $2.50 Q the historv of screwpile liahthouses and over. Boatbuilding Continued from page I E.W. Milligan of Somerset County. to Florida, to the Caribbean Sea, In 1873 the shipyard built two and to South America. They carried company was organized, fifty centerboard sloops, the Julia A, principally the dirty freight: guano, percent of which was owned by Isaac Parks and the Virginia Mister. coal, hides, and other bulk cargoes Solomon & Sons, the cannery, and Hundreds of these sloops were built looking for the lowest freight rates. fifty percent owned by Isaac Davis. on the Bay during the oyster boom, Isaac Solomon completed The island's first shipbuilding the last surviving of which was the construction of his cannery in 1871, company was named "Solomon J.T. Leonard, owned by the and the production of canned cove Sons & Davis." Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum oysters began. Before 1873 had Isaac Solomon & Sons' fleet in St. Michaels. passed, however, his little empire included the following vessels on Isaac Davis built the steam tug was crumbling. While his July 1, 1872: investment was large (cannery, NAME OF VESSEL TYPE MEASUREMENTS GROSS TONS VALUE $120,000; marine facilities, Father and Sons Pungy 45.9x17.5x4.6' 24.61 $2500 $19,000) his personal drawings from Sallie Solomon Schooner unknown 32.38 3000 the new company for land A.S. Simpson unknown unknown unknown 2000 speculation and for the purchase of Isaac Solomon Pungy 57x18.5x5. 8' 23.1 3500 the bonds of the Baltimore and Daniel and Augustus Pungy 55.2x18.4x5.8' 27.59 2500 Drum Point Railroad — worthless Exchange •Pungy unknown unknown 2000 after the crash of 1873 — left him American Eagle Pungy 43x14.4x4.3' 18.0 1000 slipping into bankruptcy. His Carpenter Pungy unknown unknown 1500 younger son, Charles, and Isaac Doue Pungy 46x16.6x4.6' 17.22 400 Davis continued operating the Mary Pungy unknown unknown 800 marine facilities and the general Carrie Steam Yacht unknown unknown 500 store after the cannery closed. In an Ada Sail Yacht unknown unknown 300 effort to separate the shipyard from Barges No Power unknown unknown 375 the tangled affairs of Isaac Solomon, it was renamed "Alex SommerviU's The pungy Isaac Solomon was Joseph Zane in 1873 — the first tug Marine Railway." Charles Solomon's built by Isaac Davis for the packer's built at Solomons. Twenty years wife was Eloise Sommervill, fleet in 1872. Her size and capacity later M.M. Davis built a second one daughter of this prominent Calvert indicate that she was built as an and he continued building towboats County farmer. oyster dredger. and tugs at Solomons for more than On October 25, 1876, Isaac Davis Davis' pungy boats were built at a quarter of a century. The Joseph laid the keel of an unnamed ship. In the end of their era. The Bay's Zane was built for Peter Zane and his daybook he referred to her as a Edward Wilson of Baltimore, and "new vessel," and her construction boatyards were busy building took just over four months. She was sloops, bugeyes, and schooners for CMM has an oil painting of this the oyster trade. An occasional vessel on loan from the Radcliffe never named in his records nor is pungy was built over the next ten Maritime Museum hanging in its she further described, but from the main gallery. construction materials incorporated years; the last one known to have in her hull she was a freighting been built at Solomons was the That Isaac Davis was an James A. Garfield by John Henry outstanding shipwright was proven schooner, a pungy, or a sloop. Gpon when he built the schooner Stephen completion of this "new vessel," Davis in 1881. But back in 1876 the Isaac Davis set up his ways to build pungy was still the most frequent J. Fooks. This schooner, rigged with vessel seen on the marine railway of three masts, was built for the coastal two bugeyes. One, never named, Solomon Sons & Davis. During trade outside of the limits of the was built of logs in the traditional Bay. She was 135 feet long and manner of log canoes. Her bottom 1875 and 1876 approximately logs, for which he paid $27.65, were eighty pungies called at Solomons measured 431 tons. Many years and put into Isaac Davis' facility for passed before a larger ship was built shaped by an adz as watermen had repairs. at Solomons. The Fooks had several done for more than 150 years. shareholders, including Thomas It was just a week or so before, on The pungy schooner, developed Crawner of Baltimore and Stephen February 19, 1877, that Isaac Davis from the pilot schooner of colonial J. Fooks of Dorchester County. As a laid the keel of the other bugeye. In times, became a dredge boat as coasting schooner, her cargoes were his daybook he called her "Frame production of oysters expanded and ice from Maine, pineapples from the Canoe No. 1." She became the as dredging laws were relaxed. West Indies, and sugar and molasses Clyde, and with the discovery of the Unlike the bugeye, which was built from Cuba. This coasting trade is yard's records, she becomes the first specifically as a dredge boat, the described in the journals of Captain documented frame bugeye. In her pungy had originated as a packet Len Tawes of the three-master construction, Davis abandoned boat and as a bay freighter, fast and schooner City of Baltimore, built tradition and replaced the log- sharp. several years after the Stephen J. formed hull with ribs or frames, the Between the Father and Sons and Fooks. These schooners were the basic method of ship construction of the Isaac Solomon, Solomon Sons & work oxen of the East Coast trade Western Civilization. Prior to the Davis built the pungy Zephyr for routes, making voyages from Maine Boatbuilding Continued from page 6 labor per hour: $0.30 for Davis, the unfinished bugeye on the ways. presumably; $0.275 for ship Thomas Moore took over Isaac discovery of this information earlier carpenters, $0.20 for carpenters; Solomon's holdings on Solomons in this year, credit for the construction $0.07 per hour for boys. Caulkers 1879, the same year that James T. of the first framed and planked were paid the rate of ship Marsh documented the Carrie. Was bugeye — the Carrie of 1879 — went carpenters. Isaac Davis' usual rate she Davis' "Job Mo. 374," or Marsh's to James T. Marsh, also actively for his skills was $0.325 per hour, work from the bottom up? M.V. building boats at Solomons after so he built the Clyde at the lower Brewington, in his book The 1873. (His shipyard was described in rate to accommodate his partner, Chesapeake Bugeye, writes that the an earlier article in this series in the Charles Solomon. The daybook also Carrie was built by Marsh when Summer 1985 issue of the Bugeye tabulates the exact footage and cost "asked by one of the Solomon Times.) of lumber, and the price of spikes, family to build a bugeye." Although The Clyde's first owner was E.L. nails, pitch, oakum, and other Charles Solomon was still living on Solomon, probably Charles materials used in building. Solomons in 1879, the first owners Solomon's wife Eloise. She was The log bugeye was completed by of record of the Carrie were John granted license Mo. 30 at the Town Isaac Davis about one month earlier Henry Broil and John Meuth. Creek Custom House on October 30, than the Clyde. Unfortunately, she The Clyde was owned by the 1877. Her agent was Charles remains unidentified at this time, Solomons for six years. In 1882, Solomon; her first master was but her first owner was Captain Captain James Mortham was her Charles Dougherty. In Isaac Davis' Fletcher Webster. master. She was reported daybook on October 29, 1877, Isaac Davis laid the keel for a "abandoned" in 1914. After leaving under the reference number "64," second frame bugeye on April 11, Solomons, Isaac Davis disappeared he identifies the frame canoe under 1878. In his daybook this boat is for two years, but in 1880 he construction as the Clyde. This was identified as "Job Mo. 374." Several relocated to Cambridge where he the last entry in the daybook for this more entries are made for this built many bugeyes and other vessel. bugeye, the last on July 16, 1878. bayboats for several years. The Clyde's measurements were That same day, Mrs. Isaac Davis With the discovery of the 58 feet on deck, 14.1 feet on the closed out her account at Charles daybook, Isaac Davis and his beam, and the depth of hold was 4.2 Solomon's store, so presumably creation, the frame bugeye Clyde, feet. She measured 10.48 gross Isaac and Henrietta Davis left can take their rightful place in tons. During her construction, the Solomons shortly thereafter, leaving Chesapeake Bay's maritime history. yard's daybook lists the rates of SELECTED RECENT ACQUISITIONS A sea chest used by F. Lewis newspaper clippings, and programs U.S. Coastal Survey charts of Griffith, captain of the Gouernor concerning the Sixth Annual Chesapeake Bay, Patuxent River, Thomas of the Maryland "Oyster Chesapeake Bay Championship and St. Mary's River were Mavy," was donated by Mrs. Workboat Regatta held at Solomons purchased. Dave Harris gave CMM Josephine Kleiner. This on June 26, 1926. Through the permission to remove a 16-foot complements the sea desk and cooperation of CMM volunteer John horizontal tobacco barn board correspondence of Captain Griffith Darr, the museum has received from inscribed with drawings of several that was donated earlier by Mrs. Mccoy A. Tall a skiff built in 1909 by schooners and sloops. The Kleiner's sister. Another donation Barnes Lusby, once the M.M. Davis nineteenth-century barn is on a hill was the set of The Historic American and Son Shipyard foreman. In other overlooking the Bay near Plum Merchant Marine Survey volumes, maritime acquisitions, several 1859 Point. originally loaned to us several years ago. This donation was from Mrs. Faith Jackson, wife of the editor of these volumes, Melvin H. Jackson. Valuable information about Solomons vessels includes the schooner Annie C. Johnson, built in 1891, and the bugeye Nettie May, built in 1884. For the latter vessel there are reproductions of field drawings and watercolors by artist Philip Sawyer. Mrs. Jackson also donated an original watercolor by Sawyer entitled "Schooner on This photograph, depicting Solomons harbor with workboats and, on the left, fish nets drying on a reel on Eastern Shore," painted in 1936. Molly's Leg Island, was taken by C. Lowndes Johnson, Chesapeake Bay photographer and historian. An attractive print of this 1926 photograph, suitable for framing, will be given to special Calvert Marine Society John G. Earle of Easton has membership categories. It will also be on sale in the Museum Store for 525, donated photographs, negatives, (Photo from CMM collections.) VOLUNTEERS TO BALTIMORE Some forty museum volunteers and staff enjoyed a trip to Baltimore on April 23, as part of the recognition during National Volunteer Week. Arranged and guided by volunteer coordinator Layne Bergin, the volunteers toured the major downtown area, with special guided tours of the Maryland Historical Society and the Walters Art Gallery, ending in the late afternoon with a wine and cheese reception hosted by the Art Gallery in the original Walters mansion on Mount Vernon Square. Mid-day, the group enjoyed a luncheon cruise, with entertainment, from Baltimore's Inner Harbor to the Francis Scott Key Bridge and return. This trip is but one example of the activities open to the museum's CMM volunteers on trip to Baltimore in April 1987. volunteers, including an annual Photo by Liz Cornell volunteer dinner, interesting training sessions, behind-the-scenes seminars, and challenging assignments within the museum. Anyone interested in a volunteer activity — tailored to your interests and hours — may want to discuss this with Layne Bergin, volunteer coordinator.
Correction: The watercolor by Commander E. C. Tufnell on page 3 of the Spring 1987 issue was identified incorrectly. It is entitled "Whistler" — 1853, and depicts a sharp dipper whose first passage was for San Francisco, then to Hong Kong. On her second (and final) voyage, she CMM volunteers board ship for lunch cruise during trip to Baltimore in April 1987, was wrecked in the Boss Straits, Australia.
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION PERMIT NO. fCALVERT MARINE MUSEUM! 3 ^»->"———•—^ JMfc^ •" T-^-r*-**,—^ SOLOMONS P.O. BOX 97 MARYLAND SOLOMONS, MD 20688