The Miniature Ship Federalist: Symbol of Maryland's Ratification of the Constitution
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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 anni- versary 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 obser- vance 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.