The Miniature Ship Federalist: Symbol of Maryland's Ratification of the Constitution

Home , Joshua Barney, Little Jennie (bugeye), Smack (ship)

QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER of CALVERT MARINE MUSEUM

THE MINIATURE SHIP FEDERALIST: SYMBOL OF MARYLAND'S RATIFICATION OF THE CONSTITUTION

icentennial celebrations never seem to end! Just when the B events of 1776 (and the anniversary events of 1976) are fading from memory, the observance of the adoption of the United States Con- stitution captured our attention in 1987. But 1988 continues the observance of the constitution — this year with the anniversary of Maryland's ratification of that important docu- ment. Much will appear in the papers and magazines about the events of April 1788 in Maryland. As improbable as it may seem, there was a maritime aspect of that political event of two hundred years ago — an event linked indirectly to the Patuxent River through the in- volvement of that yet-to-be local hero of the War of 1812, Commo- dore Joshua Barney. Barney had been an important naval personage was clearly with the federalists, as the contest between the Federalists during the Revolutionary War, and attested to by his daughter-in-law's — or those who were in favor of in the years following that war had account of the events of 1788: adopting the constitution — and the Anti-federalists — or those who been involved in a number of ac- In the state of Maryland, there were for rejecting it — was carried tivities for the newly-founded coun- was found a powerful party oppos- on with a warmth and violence, try. By 1784 he had settled in his ed to the adoption of the constitu- that threatened to break asunder, native Baltimore and engaged in the tion, and in the election of dele- all social ties and relations. In this commercial life of the growing port. gates to a state convention, by electioneering conflict, we may So far as the adoption of the new whom the important question of believe that Captain Barney was constitution was concerned, Barney concurrence was to be decided,

CMM ANNUAL REPORT CMM's annual report has appeared in this issue of the Bugeye Times several times in the past. For 1987, as in 1985, the museum's annual report is being issued as a separate publication. Members of the Calvert Marine Society, as well as other museum supporters, will be sent copies of the 1987 report in April. Bugeye Tt"ntca

FOSSIL FACTS by Sandy Roberts

Fossil Geoduck Clam, Panopea americana Interior of left valve. Named after a Creek sea nymph and looking like a twisted shoe box, Pano- much actual digging at all, since its pea americana (Conrad) is the largest own weight would have been sufficient and most easily recognized of several to bury it three or more feet in the mud- species of Panopea found in the Mary- dy burrow. From the posterior end of land Miocene. It is especially abundant its shell two siphons (incurrent and ex- in the Choptank formation at Calvert current), enclosed in a sack-like neck, Cliffs. P. americana is an aragonitic bi- would have extended upward like an valve. Its two moderately thick valves elephant's trunk to the surface to bring are of equal size, roughly rhomboidal in the fresh water that supplied need- in shape, and gape open at both anter- Collectors have often wondered why ed food and oxygen. When death final- ior and posterior ends to accommodate this particular fossil nearly always ap- ly came, P. americana would have a large foot and siphon. (Because it was pears in a living or perpendicular posi- maintained its life-like stance, buried a deep-burrowing clam, it did not need tion when found in situ. P. americana forever in a narrow entombing burrow, the closely locked shells of surface or was a deep-burrowing clam. Assuming safe from predators and undisturbed by shallow clams for protection. The pres- that its life style was similar to that of scattering ocean currents. ent-day soft-shell clam has much the its living relative, P. generosa (the geo- Little is known about the puzzling same habitat.) The shells are hinged by duck, pronounced "goo-ee-duck," of "Panopea Pearls" that grew in some a single tooth in each valve and are the Pacific Coast), the young mollusk specimens of P. americana. Called can- covered on the outside with irregular, would have upended itself at an early cerous by some, and blister pearls by concentric growth lines. The inner mar- age and would have pressed the front others, they appear to be dark, striated, gins are smooth. The beak is low and end of its shell (containing a digging amorphous masses that formed inside placed forward. P. americana was a foot) into the sandy mud of a relatively the valves near the beak at some time large animal: the average length of its cool coastal habitat. As the growing during the animal's life. shell appears to be around six-and-one- clam grew heavier and heavier, it sank half inches, though much larger speci- deeper and deeper into the silty sea mens have been reported. floor. It probably did not have to do

Bugeye Tuned Quarterly Newsletter of the CMM'S MOST SUCCESSFUL YEAR-END APPEAL Calvert Marine Museum and the Members of the Calvert Marine Socie- grams as the new exhibition building Calvert Marine Society, Inc. ty and other supporters of the museum and its new facilities are completed and (ISSN 0887-651X) were most generous in their response occupied. The museum staff and board Ralph E. Eshelman, Director to the Year-End Appeal this year, with thank all of you. Paul L. Berry, Editor the result that the contributions exceed- When the Year-End Appeal was an- ed the planned goal by eleven percent nounced last fall, it was stated that the Other Contributors to this issue: and, even more significantly, exceeded list of contributors would appear in this Layne Bergin last year's contributions by nearly fifty- issue of the Bugeye Times. Since the Paula Johnson seven percent! Over 310 gifts were re- museum's 1987 annual report will be The bugeye was the traditional sailing craft ceived, totaling $16,630, compared with in the hands of society members at of the Bay, and was built in all its glory at last year's 242 gifts totaling $10,600. The about the same time as this issue, it has Solomons, the "Bugeye Capital of the generosity of all contributors is very been decided to list contributors in only World." Membership dues are used to one of these two publications. The fund special museum projects, programs, sincerely appreciated, particularly at and printing of this newsletter. Address this time when the museum is plan- names will therefore be found in the an- comments and membership applications ning to move ahead with expanded pro- nual report. to: Calvert Marine Museum P.O. Box 97 Solomons, MD 20668 O01) 326-2042 Spiiwg 1988

more unhappy to learn of their inten- INCIDENT AT SOLOMONS tions. It seemed that a fleet of pirate by Donald C. Shomette oyster schooners was illegally dredging Research Associate, Gi/ve/7 Marine Museum in the Patuxent and Allison and his posse were pressing Dolphin into By the last quarter of the nineteenth could be extremely profitable to in- Maryland State service to apprehend century the canning industry of Mary- terlopers, but were injurious to the local the interlopers. Beasey had little choice land was coming of age. In Southern oystermen and the packing industry. in the matter. Thus, within a short time Maryland, one of the most successful One such oystering raid, resulting in the speedy little tug was off up the river cannery operations was that of Isaac the so-called Dolphin Incident, very in merry pursuit of the pirate dredgers. Solomons & Son in Calvert County. The nearly ended the early oyster prosperi- The chase was spirited as Dolphin Solomon plant had grown in reputation ty of Solomons Island while it was still soon closed with the schooners, and output ever since its opening short- in its infancy. maneuvering to corner as many as ly after the close of the Civil War, and The affair, for Captain Beasey, com- possible. It quickly became apparent its economic impact was beginning to mander of the Camden, New Jersey, that there were simply too many for a be felt — indeed, envied — throughout steam tug Dolphin, began innocently single vessel to manage. Allison then the Chesapeake Tidewater. The tiny islet enough. resolved to single out a lone dredger just within the mouth of the Patuxent At about the middle of March, 1870, and dog her until she surrendered. His River, upon which Solomon had erect- the captain had taken his vessel out of target turned out to be the schooner ed his operation, had even taken on the Philadelphia bound for Richmond, via Orange, an elusive quarry which prov- name of its principal benefactor and the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal ed more than a little difficult to bring would henceforth be known as Solo- and the Chesapeake Bay. While steam- to heel. Finally, after hours of exhaustive mons Island. The tiny, industrious, God- ing down the Bay, Dolphin encoun- pursuit, the schooner was overtaken fearing community which had sprung tered foul weather and adverse winds and captured. Her captain was im- up there as a result of the newfound that made further progress question- mediately arrested, and the ship im- prosperity led a simple, spartan life. able. Beasey wisely decided to put in- pounded. The prisoner was then haul- Their livelihoods and well-being were to the next sheltered harbor of conve- ed up before Justice of the Peace totally dependent on the packing nience until the blow subsided. Little Thomas R. Grover and fined $100 plus house, which in turn was dependent on did the captain know that by turning in- costs, after which Orange, her master, a single succulent shellfish — the Patux- to the Patuxent River he would be put- and crew were released. Dolphin re- ent River oyster. ting himself and his ship smack in the turned to Solomons to take on coal For years, the oyster grounds of the middle of a raging oyster feud. with the fullest intention of proceeding Patuxent were considered to be among On March 21, soon after dropping an- on to Richmond the next day. the most bountiful in the Tidewater. Ex- chor at Solomons Island, Beasey was That night, the tug rested at her moor- tending upriver as far as the port of confronted by Calvert County Deputy ings adjacent to Isaac Solomon's pack- Benedict, the grounds were as coveted Sheriff Allison and a posse of irate local ing plant. The early evening passed as any in Maryland or Virginia. Thus, citizens. The captain may have been uneventfully enough, with only the resi- illegal dredging of these rich grounds more than a little shaken by the sudden due of the excitement of the day's pur- by concerns from elsewhere in the Bay presence of so many obviously angry suit remaining. Soon, even that was lost did frequently occur. Such undertakings men, but he was undoubtedly even as the ship's crew and Captain Beasey turned in for the night. Suddenly, at 12:30 a.m., the cry of "Fire!" was raised. Dolphin was ablaze. How it got started was anyone's guess, but as there was water in the tug's boiler, and a great danger of boiler ex- plosion existed, everyone ran for their lives. Unable to safely approach the vessel, everyone was powerless1 to act, though their first inclination was to fight the blaze. Attention soon focused on the threat to the nearby packing plant, on whose survival the entire island's well-being depended. Isaac Solomon's entire work force, and everyone else on the island, was soon on hand as the flames of the bur- ning ship licked high into the crisp mid- night sky. All were ready to do battle should the ship explode or the con- flagration spread to the plant as ex- pected. For several hours the issue Bugeye Ti

. . . CMM NEWS AND NOTES CMM NEWS AND NOTES

New Building Progress Museum Promoted By Wm. B. Jennison, the j.C. Lore Oyster Holiday Inn House, and the modelmaking and Despite the rigors of the winter, con- woodcarving shop. Also included is a struction on the new exhibition build- Tourists in Solomons who use the map locating these various facilities in ing continued at a fair pace. Since facilities of the Holiday Inn will see, the Solomons area. The Holiday Inn, December the post-and-beam framing upon entering the lobby, a lighted case clearly aware of its location in an area has been completed, and much of the with an exhibit encouraging a visit to that has much of interest to offer tour- roof decking has been installed, mak- the museum. Developed by CMM's ists, displays brochures of the many at- ing it possible to complete the roofing Bette Bumgarner, cabinetmaker Alan tractions of Southern Maryland. CMM work early this spring. The next most Manuel, and staff, the exhibit uses col- is the only attraction, however, that is apparent work this spring will be the in- or photographs and descriptive text accorded space for a promotional ex- stallation of the board-and-batten which feature museum sites and ac- hibit. The museum is most grateful to siding, the placement of windows in the tivities, including the exhibition build- the Holiday Inn of Solomons for this roof monitor (for which much of the ing, the Drum Point Lighthouse, the courtesy. framing has been started), and the com- pletion of some of the exterior doors. All of this work will give a more finish- ed look to the exterior of the building. A great deal of work, of course, awaits inside. Preparations have started for pouring the concrete slab which forms the basic floor of the building. Follow- ing that, during the spring and summer months, will be the many details need- ed to complete the interior framing, to add the utility systems (plumbing, electrical wiring, and heating-ventilating), and to finish walls, floors, and ceilings. Much of the basic grading for the site has already been done, but the final preparation of walks, parking, and land- scaping will most likely be deferred until the end of the summer. Under the present schedule, the building will be ready for museum use by early in the fall. Since construction will still be in progress during the summer of 1988, ac- CMM exhibit at Holiday Inn of Solomons cess to the Drum Point Lighthouse, the small craft exhibits, and the Wm. B. Ten- nison may be difficult or even suspend- ed at times. Every effort will be made — particularly on weekends — to have Director's Reception Museum Store Now these popular facilities available to Accepts Credit Cards visitors. An atmosphere of festivity greeted guests arriving in the lobby of the museum on Saturday evening, March 5. In order to serve better the visitors to The event was our second annual CMM and its Museum Store, especial- Director's Reception to thank individ- ly visitors from out of the area and from ual members and friends of the visiting yachts, the store is now accep- museum who made contributions val- ting MasterCharge and Visa credit cards ued at $100 or more during 1987. for purchases in excess of $10.00. Mail Guests enjoyed good company, cham- orders for store items, such as books pagne and dessert, and an entertaining and prints, may also be charged. This slide presentation from director Ralph service anticipates the move within a Eshelman about the new building as year to the expanded store facility in the well as his 1987 European trip. A new exhibition building. special treat was having long-time friends of the museum, Joe and Virginia Lore, as our guests of honor. 1988

original engine. The M.M. Davis ship- CMM NEWS SELECTED RECENT yard built the Cruis-Along as one of, if AND NOTES ACQUISITIONS not the first assembly-line boats for the moderate income family. It is planned Pearl English has donated a rocking to include this vessel in the maritime Staff Changes chair and cane-seat chair from the history exhibit in the new exhibition Locust Inn, established as a rooming building. Craig A. DeTample has been ap- house in 1925 on Solomons Island. Dr. LeRoy "Pepper" Langley, CMM staff pointed to till the curator of education Steven Hittle collected and donated member, has donated several Solomons vacancy left by the resignation of parts of the skeleton of an extinct pec- Island boat racing paraphernalia, in- Elizabeth Cornell last December. The cary from Calvert Cliffs. Included are a cluding driving jumpers, a racing hel- new curator has been most recently partial skull, some vertebrae, and limb met, and a scale model of Thunderbird, employed at the New Jersey State Mu- elements. This specimen represents one one of several racing boats he built. The seum at Trenton as senior museum of the most complete peccaries ever Thunderbird was the first racing boat to technician involved in planning, organ- collected from the Chesapeake Group. exceed 100 miles per hour in a Solo- izing, and giving classes in the natural The museum has acquired from L.F. mons race. One of the jumpers and the sciences. Mr. DeTample took up his Eggerta 1956 "Angler" model, twenty- helmet are also to be used in the new duties at CMM on March 21. two foot Cruis-Along in very good, near- maritime history exhibit. Holding degrees in geology (B.A., ly original condition, including the Temple University) and vertebrate pale- ontology (M.S., South Dakota School of Mines and Technology), Mr. DeTample has had considerable experience in HARBOR AND BAY TRIPS FROM SOLOMONS teaching at the college level, and has performed a variety of museum duties 3, weather permitting, and will accom- in addition to educational programs. Aboard the modate passengers, bicycles, and freight His experience should qualify him well Wm. B. Tennison from Solomons to Hoopers Island on for his work at CMM. the Eastern Shore three days a week, Richard M. Rorning, previously a mu- The museum will resume on May 1 two round trips a day. seum interpreter, has been appointed the regular cruises offered by the con- The Mystique leaves at 9:00 a.m. as mate on the Wm. B, Tennison for the verted 1899 log bugeye the Wm. 6. Ten- Saturdays, Sundays, and Wednesdays coming season. Dick replaces Melissa n/son. This vessel, operated by the from the Ship Point Research Park, Kersey who also resigned in December. museum, offers one-hour tours of Solo- Lusby (at the end of state route 760), ar- mons harbor and adjacent Patuxent riving at Hoopers Island at 10:30 a.m. River areas at 2:00 p.m. Wednesdays It leaves Hoopers Island at 11:00 a.m. through Sundays, weather permitting. and arrives at the Lore Oyster House Board of Governors In 1988 The cost is $3.50 each for adults, $2.50 dock at 12:30 p.m. It then leaves the each for children, with a maximum Lore Oyster House at 3:00 p.m., arrives The Calvert County Commissioners family cost of $12.00. (Calvert Marine at Hoopers Island at 4:30 p.m., returns last fall named three new members to Society members are entitled to a dis- from Hoopers Island at 4:45 p.m., and the museum's seven teen-member Board count of ten percent.) Tickets are ob- arrives at Ship Point at 6:15 p.m. of Governors for 1988: Joseph H. Crib- tainable on the Tennison at its pier, Passengers from the Western Shore ble, HaroidJ. Kahl, and Mrs. Margaret beneath the Drum Point Lighthouse, may arrange for optional bus tours of S. King. These new members replace immediately prior to cruise times. The Cambridge, the Blackwater Wildlife retiring board members Judge Perry G. Tennison is also available for private Refuge, or Hoopers Island. The trip is Bowen, Jr., Laurence W.B. Cumberland, charters at a cost of $125 per hour, with idea! for bicyclists. Blackwater Wildlife and Mrs. Ellen W. Zahniser. Present a maximum passenger capacity of forty- Refuge is a thirteen-mile ride from the board members Paul L. Berry and John five. Further information may be obtain- Hoopers Island dock, while shorter W. Williams, Jr., were reappointed for ed by calling the museum at (301) trips can provide ample opportunity to' second terms. Mr. Cribble is president 326-2042. explore Hoopers Island. There is an ex- of the Calvert Well Drilling Company cellent restaurant, Old Sally's, and an in Prince Frederick, a resident of Lusby, antique shop and country store to visit. and a developer of property in Solo- Passengers from the Eastern Shore will mons. Mr. Kahl is president of the Aboard the Mystique be given an opportunity to visit Calvert Bank — one of the local banks restaurants, shops, and the museum at having offices throughout Calvert Coun- Another cruise service, this one Solomons. The $15 round trip fare will ty — and an active community leader. privately managed but featuring the include admission to the Lore Oyster Mrs. King is a prominent civic leader museum's J.C. Lore & Sons Oyster House. in the county. Officers for 1988 include: House, is offered by the Chesapeake For further information about tour Paul L. Berry, chairman; John W. Bay ferry boat Mystique, a forty-foot, prices and for reservations, call the Williams, Jr., vice-chairman; Mrs. Lin- twenty-passenger, all mahogany vessel Chesapeake Bay Ferry Boat Company da McGilvery, secretary; and C.D. Bare, patterned after a New England lobster on (800) 638-1188 (Maryland) or (202) treasurer. boat. Service in 1988 will start on April 855-1900 (DC). Bugeye Tiwca

LITTLE JENNIE PRINTS — A REMINDER Federalist

not an idle looker-on — on the contrary, he at once took a decided stand in favor of the adoption, and became an active leader in all the preparatory meetings of the people .... On these occasions Barney seldom failed to harangue his fellow-citizens, albeit but little used to speak except in the brief and energetic language of command, and was generally listened to with more attention than better orators .... At length the day of election came, and the party which he had espoused proved victorious, . . . and he enjoyed another achievement over the enemies of his country. Calvert County's biographer of Joshua Barney, Hulbert Footner, describes most vividly the events which followed the election of delegates, the state convention, and the eventual ratification of the Collectors of Chesapeake Bay art will parade in New York harbor in July 1986 constitution by Maryland. be attracted to the special offer of a and later that summer called at As soon as the victory was won print by waterfowl/rnarine artist John P. Solomons. the bitterness of partisanship dis- MacLeod — his depiction of "Little ten- Artist John MacLeod has donated two appeared, and the whole town nie Bugeye Coming Home to Solo- hundred signed and numbered copies [Baltimore] joined in celebrating mons." The reproduction with this ar- of the print to CMM. These are being the event. The show was ready five ticle cannot begin to capture the appeal sold at $150 each, plus $7.50 for Mary- days later. The local newspaper of this print, but it does show the gen- land sales tax and $10 handling (sorry, said next day: "We are persuaded eral composition of the original. As has no discounts for CMS members on this that nothing for grandeur, brillian- been reported earlier in the Bugeye special offering). MasterCard and Visa cy, decorum and unanimity has Times, the Little Jennie was built at will be accepted: please include your ever equalled it since the first set- Solomons in 1884 by James T. Marsh card number and expiration date. This tlement of Maryland." and served for many years on the Bay is an unusual opportunity to obtain a The parade formed on Philpot's and elsewhere in Atlantic waters. She MacLeod print of special relevance to Hill over in East Baltimore. At a was saved from destruction and exten- Solomons and at the same time benefit signal . . . seven guns were fired sively restored by William Townsend the museum. For further details, call which were answered with three Perks who sailed her in the Op Sail CMM on (301) 326-2042. cheers and the line began to move. The seven guns were for the seven states which up to this time had ratified. The line of march was through Fell's Point, across Jones' Incident Falls, through the principal streets of the town, and ending on the seemed in doubt, until finally the vessel Isaac Solomon & Son oyster packing beautiful hill rising from the south was burned down to the water's edge plant, and the livelihoods of everyone side of the basin, which was that and the flames extinguished. It had in- on and about Solomons Island, main- day christened Federal Hill and deed been a miracle that the plant was stay support of the Patuxent oyster has borne the name ever since. spared. fisheries, had narrowly missed extinc- Preceded by a "band of music," For days the question of how the tion. forty-five trades marched in line Dolphin fire began was on everyone's bearing their appropriate insignia; lips. Many claimed that it had been after the artisans, came the con- This article is reprinted, with permission, suls, merchants, traders, and at the caused by an incendiary, perhaps even from Chesapeake Country Life for one of the oyster pirates hell-bent on December 1981. Mr. Shomette is a staff end the learned professions; bench revenge. Others dismissed the affair as member of the Library of Congress, a re- and bar; doctors and clergy. The an unfortunate accident. No one knew search associate of the museum, and the place of honor in the middle was for sure, and the truth was never to be author of Flotilla: Battle for the Patuxent, reserved for those who served the discovered. One thing was certain: the published by the museum. 1988

Federalist balls succeeded. Meanwhile the rouleof the 1788 vessel from Baltimore dainty little ship lying at the wharf to Mount Vernon, but with at least one sea, and here among the captains was delighting the Annapolitans.... exception: the Federalist will put into and seamen, shipwrights, stay- Barney did not stay out the the port of Solomons which did not ex- makers and so on, rode the minia- week, having bigger fish to fry; ist at the time of her 1788 voyage, ture ship Federalist on wheels after two or three days, he con- although it might be assumed that the drawn by four horses. tinued his voyage, hugging the vessel would have sought shelter over- She was fifteen feet long and western shore of the Chesapeake night near Drum Point at the mouth of complete in every detail of rigging as far down as the mouth of the the Patuxent River — known from ear- and sails — Captain Barney, who Potomac. Then up that winding ly times as a safe refuge. At some time had superintended her building, estuary for almost another hun- during the morn ing of June 1, 1988, the would see to that. The Captain was dred miles to Mount Vernon. His replica Federalist will tie up for the day in command now with a couple of purpose was to present the Feder- at the Calvert Marine Museum pier at other captains for crew, and at the alist to General George the present Drum Point Lighthouse, word of command and the shrill Washington in the name of the breaking its voyage from Baltimore to pipe of his whistle, they smartly merchants of Baltimore. Mount Vernon. went through all the evolutions of Washington, who never forgot a In another hopeful departure from making and taking in sail .... good officer, received Barney with history, the Federalist will not be allow- The Federalist cast anchor on such kindness as to make him feel ed to sink, but will continue her travels Federal Hill and here a collation like a member of the family. The — this time on land on a trailer — to was served to more than three General was charmed with the lit- a number of points throughout thousand people .... "In the tle ship. He gave the whole day to Maryland to honor the ratified constitu- evening the rooms of Mr. Starck's Barney, and insisted that he spend tion. On September 12 to 17, 1988, the tavern were illuminated and an the night and the following day at Federalist will again visit Calvert Coun- elegant ball tendered to the ladies Mount Vernon .... ty and the Calvert Marine Museum; ex- of the town. In short, festivity and The pretty Federalist lay at act details will appear in local publica- joy appeared in every part of Bal- Mount Vernon until July 24th. On tions before that time. timore. The whole was concluded that day, in a hurricane which lash- with a large bonfire on Federal Hill ed the whole seaboard and work- Editor's Note: the extracts quoted above are and a beautiful painting of ed great damage to trees and the from the following two publications which may be consulted in the museum's library: transparent figures at the Court- crops at Mount Vernon, she was driven from her moorings and Mary Barney, A Biographical Memoir of the house." Late Commodore Joshua Barney from This show was a bit of propagan- sunk. Autographical Notes and journals . . . da, of course, directed at the states * * * (Boston: Gray and Bowen, 1832), 156-57; which had not yet ratified, and par- In honor of the events of 1788, donors Hulbert Footner, Sa//or of Fortune: the Life ticularly at near-by Virginia. So far, (including Baltimore merchants) have and Adventures of Commodore Barney, Baltimore's contribution was only had created a replica of the Federalist. U.S.N. (New York: Harper and Brothers, a reduced copy of that staged in This replica will endeavor to follow the 1940), 162-66, quoted by permission. Boston three months earlier. Bos- ton's ship was mounted with guns and drawn by thirteen horses! Now, however, Joshua Barney with his flair for showmanship put on CMM'S ANNUAL VOLUNTEER DINNER an act which rendered Maryland's celebration unique amongst those before and after. It was a cold and frosty night, but the ed certificates to nineteen volunteers He launched the little Federalist climate was warm and agreeable at the with 100 or more hours during 1987. in the harbor — she was a prac- Solomons Island Yacht Club where Director Ralph Eshelrnan expressed ticable ship, you see, no mere toy, sixty-six volunteers, guests, and mu- thanks to the 120 volunteers for their and put out to sea in her; or to be seum staff gathered for the annual 7,729 hours of service to CMM during exact, out on Chesapeake Bay, a volunteer dinner on January 12, 1988. 1987, valued at nearly $64,000. He then sufficiently formidable body of Beginning with a friendly cash bar and presented the annual Volunteer Achieve- water for a fifteen-foot vessel. Off popcorn hour by the fire, volunteers ment Award to one of our most active Annapolis, thirty miles down, he came upstairs to a dinner of cream of and valuable of the volunteer staff, San- "fell in" with a vessel bringing an spinach soup, salad bar, chicken mar- dy Roberts. A "home movies" slide pro- invitation from the Governor to sala, and a choice of tempting desserts. gram, showing the volunteer year in enter the harbor, which he ac- CMM staff prepared salad bar items and review, completed the special evening. cepted .... Governor Smallwood all desserts, and acted as servers dur- Thanks go to Edgar Woodburn and met him on the wharf and laid an ing the evening. Rustic Farms Restaurant for their kind embargo on his vessel for a week. Following the meal, Volunteer Coor- donations to the volunteer dinner. Barney was lodged in the Gover- dinator Layne Bergin and Museum Special thanks to Ellen Zahniser and Linda McGilvery for much-appreciated nor's mansion and a continuous Store Manager Dee Danzig made in- round of dinners, tea parties and dividual acknowledgments and award- assistance. Bugeye T

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT Bob Siemon, Special Projects Volunteer

Among the categories of volunteer Why does he continue to volunteer? participation at CMM is that of "special "Community," says Bob. "It's my little projects volunteer." Loosely translated, contribution," adding the fact that he's this means "doing whatever it is we find "an old islander." Bob spends the rest out you're good at!" of his time as maintenance engineer at When Bob Siemon came to the mu- the Locust Inn rooming house when not seum in the spring of 1982 to fulfill a busy at the museum. To prospective community service obligation, he was volunteers, old islanders or not, Bob first assigned to artifact cataloging for says, "Come on down!" registrar Dave Bohaska. Within a For more information about the vol- month, Bob was working with Alan unteer program, activities, training, and Manuel and John Mister, CMM staff, on opportunities, check the calendar or what was to become the popular call Layne Bergin, volunteer coordi- Estuarium room on the lower level. nator, at (301) 326-2042. "We dug up the floor, and then the plumbing, carpentry, and all the electrical work," Bob says. "I helped out Photo by Paula lohmon wherever I could." And that's how it started. Since that time and the long ago fulfillment of his service obligation, Bob Siemon has continued to volunteer electrical work and electrical maintenance throughout the museum. He presently has a running total of nearly 500 hours of contributed time. From the Drum Point Lighthouse, Patuxent Small Craft Pavilion, and Lore Oyster House, to the museum attic, old and new woodworking shops, and exhibit areas, there is probably not a corner of CMM which has not been improved by Bob's expertise. Those giving slide shows have Bob to thank for a simple circuitry discovery which now starts the projector without a steep ciimb into the projection room.

Photo by joe Wears, IF. Calvert Marine Museum volunteers awarded certificates of appreciation for 100 hours or more at Annual Volunteer Din- ner. Standing: Paul Berry, Barbara Miller, Pepper Langley, Gladys Faffley, Clara Dixon, Ruth Showalter, Ellen Zahniser, Zelma Margelos, Eleanor Prince, and PaulGrisso. Seated are: Doris Berry, Margaret Saville, Linda McGilvery with Nicholas Bohaska, future volunteer, Dorothy Ordwein, and Sandy Roberts. (Not present: |ohn Darr, Richard Day, Mildred DeBoy, Al Lavish, Margaret Moran, lean Murray, and George Surgent.)

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION PERMIT NO. [CALVERT MARINE MUSEUM 3 FrTTr i r - S 'B»ifc i • 11 . SOLOMONS P.O. BOX 97 MARYLAND SOLOMONS, MD 20688