Vol.7 No.1 January 2016 The Broadside

The voice of The Mathews Maritime Foundation

Museum Located at 482 Main Street, Mathews, VA Mail to PO Box 1201, Mathews, VA 23109 804-725-4444 on the web at www.mathewsmaritime.com

The Year in Review... The theme for the program, to take place Before getting into a review of the Foun- on Sunday, May 22, 2016 (National Maritime dation’s activities during this past year we want Day) at 4pm in the Mathews High School audi- to tell you about an exciting event coming to torium, is an "old fashioned, traditional, patriotic Mathews County on May 22 of this year. It in- assembly" which will allow the audience to "feel" volves author William Geroux and a book he has as if in that era, in order to better relate to what written about Mathews men in merchant marine Bill speaks about, and the power point he will service during WWII. Mark this date on your present. calendar and read on. The day will allow Mathews to thank Bill for recognizing the unique stories of this small Celebrating “The Mathews Men...” county, honor those who gave their lives (as well The Mathews Maritime Foundation and as their families), celebrate those who returned, Museum is planning a MATHEWS COUNTY and to understand how all who lived here then WELCOME for Bill Geroux, author of the book shared the concern and the grief that were truly (to be released April 19, 2016) "THE MATHEWS felt by them all. There will be a salute to ALL MEN: Seven Brothers and the War Against Hit- veterans of WWII at the end of the program. ler's U-Boats" about the Merchant Mariners Article by Nancy Lindgren from Mathews County in WWII. While the Other Events planned around the May 22nd Hodges family sent 7 celebration are... sons (two did not re- turn), other families Film Society to show WWII Film... sent up to six on ships, The Mathews Film Society will show and the author writes "ACTION in the NORTH ATLANTIC" the week with great skill, weav- prior to the May 22 event. It is called the "quin- ing local stories into a tessential" Merchant Marine film that even book revealing history Maritime Academies refer to in the curriculum. based on years of re- It depicts the danger to merchant ships search and interviews during the war, and the dedication (as well as with at least fifty peo- self preservation!) the men aboard the ships felt ple in Mathews and about getting the supplies/fuel they carried to Gloucester. Keeping the Past in the Present Preserving it for the Future Vol.7 No.1 January 2016 the proper places for use. It stars Humphrey Bo- Mathews” and that it was an 18 month calendar. gart and Raymond Massey. That format was chosen to accommodate the in- clusion of most all of the material we had on the Quilt to be Raffled Off... subject. Several members of The BAY QUILTERS Our current calendar, now in production, of Mathews have volunteered to make a small has for its subject the merchant mariners of hanging quilt with a maritime theme for Mathews County with emphasis on those who Mathews Maritime Foundation to raffle off as were aboard merchant ships during WWII. It too part of the May 22nd celebration. The quilt will is an 18 month calendar that will cover the be displayed for a time at the Mathews branch of months of July 2016 - December 2017. Chesapeake Bank, and then at the Visitors Cen- Due out around the first of May, the cal- ter, prior to the drawing for the winner at the endar will be available for purchase at the fol- May 22 event. Raffle tickets can be purchased at lowing locations: Visitors Center, Mathews Mari- the Mathews Visitors Center, the Maritime Mu- time Museum, and at our on line store site at seum, and from the Mathews Maritime Founda- . tion’s booth at the Court Green Farmers Market. Once again, Nancy Lindgren, Editor and Ticket prices are: $5 each or 3 for $10. Grace Metzger Forrest, graphic design artist This is a wonderful gift from the group have collaborated to produce a memorable and to and will be a unique representation of Mathews be treasured calendar. that should be a treasure for the lucky recipient. If raffle ticket sales are not sufficient by the Museum Year in Review... 22nd the drawing will be held at a later date, The Mathews Maritime Museum contin- most likely after the Gwynn’s Island Festival. ues to grow and is straining at the seams with Much love and effort goes into making a quilt, over 2340 artifacts donated or loaned to us. and we want to be sure that response to the raf- Someday we would like to move into a larger, fle justifies the end product. more modern facility that could properly house and display the rich maritime heritage of WWII Exhibit at MMF Museum... Mathews County. An exhibit on WWII will begin at the This year we added to our knowledge of Mathews Maritime Foundation's Museum start- the boatyards operating in Mathews County be- ing May 27 that will include Merchant Mariners, fore and during the Civil War. One major yard and Armed Services veterans of Mathews. If in- was operated by Lewis Hudgins at Fitchett’s terested in loaning or donating photographs, Wharf. He built large sailing craft, like the 80 items, or information regarding the rich mari- foot long brig “Constitution,” that could trade in time history of Mathews or, specifically, pertain- costal waters or journey offshore. Lewis Hudg- ing to WWII, please contact Nancy Lindgren at ins was listed as builder and master of the brig [email protected]. “Constitution” from 1840 - 1845. The museum is staffed by volunteers and During the Civil War Lewis Hudgins and is open Fridays and Saturdays from 10am-2pm his son bought and captained the blockade run- May through November, when the "OPEN" flag ner“Caroline.” is flying, and by special request. It is located at Another Model on display is the tug 482 Main Street, Mathews, where the large “Chas. A White” loaned to us by Jeffrey White, black anchor welcomes visitors. made by Capt. John C. Handy for nephew Char- les A. White Jr. about 1945 - 1950. A crank MMF Calendar... winds up the mechanism, made from old Victrola You will recall that the subject of our last parts, that drives the propeller of this pond boat. calendar was the “Tug Boaters and Pilots of Another tug model was donated by Bonnie Keeping the Past in the Present Preserving it for the Future Vol.7 No.1 January 2016 Hardy in memory of Allen Brownly. It too is a years experience in Virginia and Florida. She pond boat and can be remotely controlled. has been at VIMS with the Center for Coastal We had an unusual unidentified buoy with Resources Management since 1999. Her exper- tabs attached in two circles around its “northern tise includes shoreline management, coastal and southern hemispheres.” It was identified by habitats, and environmentally friendly landscap- Bob George as a buoy for a U.S. Navy mine sys- ing. She has visited hundreds of Virginia shore- tem. lines as a coastal advisor to property owners and We received some materials on loan about Local Wetlands Boards. She also provides out- designer Thomas Colvin from Barbara Read. He reach education & training for various audi- was a resident of Mathews and was well known ences. in maritime circles for his unique sailboat de- Her lecture on “Coastal Management in signs. Mathews County” featured results from a shore- The model of our flagship “Peggy” was line and tidal marsh inventory project completed made and donated to us by renowned Mathews in 2012. These mapping projects are designed to boatbuilder Edward Diggs. The actual deck boat help coastal communities understand and man- “Peggy,” built in 1925 at Horn Harbor, Mathews, age shoreline erosion, tidal flooding, habitat loss, can be seen at our facility on Gwynn’s Island. water quality problems, and invasive species. See centerfold for pictures of these exhib- In May, Mr. Ron Lewis presented "Build- its. ing The Iconic Workboat." Ron Lewis, is a twenty-year interpreter and speaker from The Speaker Meetings Reviewed... Mariners' Museum in Newport News, America's Our Speaker’s Meetings are featured once Maritime Museum. Ron, a Tidewater native a month, usually on the 3rd. Thursday of the born in Portsmouth, is currently restoring some month, and are open to the public. They feature of the models damaged in the 2012 fire at the various topics of interest to our membership and Deltaville Maritime Museum. He told the story we were lucky to have some very informative of one of the most difficult and important jobs on and enjoyable speakers this past year. the Chesapeake Bay, the Story of the Working In February, Mr. George Harrison pre- Watermen and their workboats. sented “Modern Shipbuilding: Computer Aided Tradition: It dies hard along the Chesa- Design.” Mr Harrison currently works as a pro- peake Bay shoreline, where working watermen ject manager on the Data Architecture Team. do the jobs they've known for centuries. What This team is responsible for providing systems moves them? How do they come to such a diffi- engineering services and support for the ship- cult trade, and how do they build the iconic and yard’s data model applications, including CAD, beautiful workboats that, while they used to fill CAE, and CAM tools. the Chesapeake, now dot the waters in fewer and These business solutions integrate end-to- fewer numbers? A look back and forward at a end design, construction, and lifecycle support truly endangered species, the working watermen for the ships Newport News builds and services. of the Chesapeake Bay and their vessels. This Computer Aided Design has revolutionized the audio-visual presentation incorporated compel- shipbuilding industry by integrating the entire ling and evocative images of the watermen, the range of disciplines in the construction process environment they work in, and, chiefly, the ves- from conceptual designs through the finished de- sels that they have built by hand without drawn tailed engineering. This ensures building com- plans, since the mid-nineteenth century. See ar- plicated modern ships faster, better and cheaper. ticle on local waterman Kerry Hall on page 4. In March, Karen During presented In August, Larry Chowning, a Maritime “Coastal Management in Mathews County” Historian and author, focused on people he has Karen, a Coastal Management Scientist, has 25 met through his career of documenting the Keeping the Past in the Present Preserving it for the Future Vol.7 No.1 January 2016 changing culture on Chesapeake Bay, including in 1970. He related his experiences sailing the boat builders, watermen, and others important 53 foot ketch “Super Maramu,” from Florida non to bringing the bounty of the water to our dining stop to Ireland with a couple who had not been tables. His first hand accounts through oral his- offshore before. tory revealed the heritage that is fast fading due The dugout canoe was the topic of our No- to fewer watermen, the economy, legal changes vember Speaker’s Meeting. Native Americans for fishing, and closing of packing houses. were the first to use the dugout on the water- Mr. Chowning graduated from the Uni- ways of the Chesapeake Bay, and the dugout and versity of Richmond in 1972 where he studied its variants were commonly used in this area un- journalism and has been a general assignment til the 1930’s. Mr. William Stickney described reporter at the Southside Sentinel in Urbanna how a reproduction of the dugout canoe was con- since 1981. He has written hundreds of articles structed for a museum exhibit at the Jamestown that have been published in regional, national, Settlement. The process of construction from a and international newspapers and magazines, 16’ cypress log and what may have been used by and is considered an expert on boats, lore, and the early people of Virginia was discussed along traditional aspects of Chesapeake life. Some of with a slide show. his book titles are: Chesapeake Bay Buyboats; The public is invited to enjoy future pres- Deadrise and Cross-Planked; Barcat Skipper; entations, usually on the 3rd.Thursday of the Tales of a Tangier Island Waterman; Harvesting month from September through May, at 7 PM, at the Chesapeake; Chesapeake Legacy; and Sol- the Foundation Museum located at 482 Main diers at the Doorstep: Civil War Lore. Street, Mathews Court House, VA. Advance Larry's style of writing brings the human information of the speaker’s meetings is pub- side of the people who build boats or work the lished in the Gloucester-Mathews Gazette, and Bay to the reader, and offers glimpses of their by email to members. Article by Dennis Craw- lives through photographs that are treasures of ford, Museum Curator the time. His research, which spans more than a quarter of a century, brings stories and facts Kerry Hall - Mathews County Water- that compose a picture of the heritage of the Bay man... that is fast fading. What follows is a glimpse into the life of a Implements of the trades of fishing or boat fourth generation Mathews County waterman building often accompany Larry's talks that help who is following in the handed down tradition of to tell his stories, and he is known for the inter- working the water. Kerry Hall is his name and esting and humorous anecdotes from those he he started on the water at the age of 12. Now 66, has interviewed, sometimes acknowledging those he has spent his entire life on the water except in attendance who experienced them! for the four years he served in the U.S.Navy Our October meeting featured John van- (1970-74). Schalkwyk, an experienced coastal and offshore Kerry fishes 255 crab pots from aboard the sailor. Mr. van-Schalkwyk has recently done “Travis B”, his fifty year old 42ft Chesapeake two types of sailing. Local cruising in his own Bay deadrise work boat. He crabs in the summer boat and offshore sailing in other peoples’ boats. months, March to the end of November; and He worked in Boston, lived on Cape Cod dredges for oysters in the months from October and now lives in Nova Scotia. He has been a to February. Of course, the seasons for crab and member of the Mathews Yacht Club for a num- oyster fishing may change from year to year as ber of years. they are regulated by the Virginia Marine Re- Since 1988 he has owned “MORNING sources Commission. WATCH,” a Luders 36 sloop built in Hong Kong Kerry’s typical day begins at 2:30 in the morning. He rises from a short sleep, grabs a Keeping the Past in the Present Preserving it for the Future Vol.7 No.1 January 2016 bite to eat and heads down to his boat. There he bait it and toss it overboard, kills the grass but it assembles his crew, gets bait aboard and shoves does not affect the crabs”. off to start his day. By 4 or 4:15 he’s ready to In his experience Kerry says the pressure start fishing his pots. Kerry says, “Most times, washing process tends to erode away the galva- spring and fall, there are just two of us aboard. nized coating on the pots. And, though hard to One to steer the boat and pull each pot. The believe, it is a fact that the more the pots are other to empty the pot, bait it, and toss it back washed the faster the grass growth. There seems overboard in the place of the pot just pulled. In to be no logical explanation for this. It just is the summer time a third crew member is added. what it is. His job is to cull the crabs and sort them into I asked if he ever caught anything un- baskets, jimmies separate from females. Adding usual while working the water...He said that at the third crew member speeds up the whole times when crab dredging he has come up with process allowing us to fish more pots.” china plates (always in pieces), coffee mugs, Kerry likes to go out early. “The earlier sometimes billfolds, and an occasional lobster. the better”, he says, “I enjoy fishing in the dark. He also has some wooden sheaves from an old It’s a lot cooler, you get to see the sun rise, I like sailing vessel. it that way. We usually try to fish 75 to 100 pots Though he often muses on what his life in the dark. We come in and bring them to the would have been like had he taken an offered job crab house around 10 or 11 o’clock.” at the Naval Weapons Station upon his dis- I asked how he determines where to set charge from the Navy, he loves life on the water his pots...“ I guess that comes with years of doing and has no regrets. As told to Pete Hall it. I’m not going to say experience because it’s always a guess. But you go years and years and PEGGY’s Year-In-Review... years you get an idea the crabs will be in a cer- As she celebrated her ninetieth birthday tain area in April or another area in May, and in in 2015, our flagship, PEGGY of New Point was summer they tend to move closer to shore in off to the official start of her new career. Her shallow water.” Where the crabs move to is very season began with a trip to Keith Ruse’s Del- much dependent of the temperature of the water. taville Boatyard for the annual haul-out, hull in- Very often crabs are more plentiful in shallow spection and painting. At this time, PEGGY un- water. Kerry says he doesn’t go into real shallow derwent a professional marine survey. Follow- water but goes in water where he sometimes ing an especially thorough inspection, PEGGY bumps bottom. He says, “I don’t like that at all. received an outstanding report card. The consequence of that is an occasional wrap- After being re-launched, she was off to an ping of crab pot line around the wheel (propel- informal homecoming/reception in Davis Creek. ler).” It’s not a pleasant situation. PEGGY tied-up at Captain Lowery Hudgins’ I asked about what he does to maintain dock, in the same location where she regularly his pots in good order... Before the start of the moored during her years of harvesting crabs season Kerry dips his pots in antifouling paint through the winter dredging season. Many of and attaches a zinc anode to each. This generally her “old friends” were on-hand to visit with lasts four or five weeks before grass begins to PEGGY as she returned once more to her official grow on the pots. This grass growth must be con- homeport. tinually cleaned from the pots. Next, PEGGY sailed for Norfolk to be hon- Where some crabbers choose to pressure ored as this year’s lead boat for the Annual wash their pots to rid them of the grass Kerry Workboat Parade at Harborfest. PEGGY spent prefers to periodically submerge them in a dip this first weekend in June nestled with thirty, tank full of bleach positioned on the stern deck freshly painted workboats that moored along the of his boat. He says, “this procedure; dip the pot, waterfront. The sight of these proud vessels, Keeping the Past in the Present Preserving it for the Future Vol.7 No.1 January 2016 gathered together in front of the Omni Hotel is a and all things mechanical has been a major fac- heart-warming experience for many citizens of tor in our success in selling these boats. our Tidewater community. All donor boats for sale are listed on our After Norfolk’s Harborfest, PEGGY sailed web site for any- to Cape Charles, Va. for their annual Tall Ship one looking to buy a boat. Contact Pete Hall at celebration. This was somewhat like a home- 804-693-9335 or Dave Machen at 804-815-4367 coming for her as it was here that she packed-out for additional information or to see the boats her fish during the many seasons that Captain close up. They are located at our Gwynn’s Island Ed Grinnell worked his pound nets on the east Boat Shop and at our Museum at 482 Main side of the Bay. PEGGY was again nestled Street, Mathews. among the fleet of historic vessels on display for the many who appreciate our maritime history. Some Boats For Sale... Finally, PEGGY joined the fleet of Chesa- Here is a sampling of the boats we have peake Bay Buy Boats as they rendezvoused in for sale. A 1989 Larson, 27 foot, Milano model, Poquoson, Va. to kick-off their summer’s high- powered by a single 300 hp Chevy 454, Mer- light event. After coming together for the week- cruiser Bravo outdrive, trim tabs, dry stored. end, about a dozen of these historic vessels trav- Priced at $4,995! eled down through the Dismal Swamp Canal to A 1981 Tiara, model 3100 with twin Cru- towns in North Carolina. This cruise enabled sader 454 inboard fresh water cooled engines, in citizens in North Carolina to visit with these very nice condition for $12,000. vessels that had called upon the ports of this A 1982 Helms 27, with18 hp Yanmar Die- area to buy watermelons and other farm prod- sel inboard, and good sails in very good condition ucts. These cargos were transported by waters for $3995. to the northward and sold in harbors such as A 1981 Cape Dory 30, Volvo Diesel engine, Baltimore and Washington. roller furling jib, Autohelm 4000, and lots of ex- Would you enjoy an opportunity to par- tras, excellent condition at $19,500. ticipate in activities such as these? PEGGY is in Look on our web site for pictures of these need of more volunteers to help with her mis- boats and others in our inventory. Click on this sion. Please know that you are very welcome to link to our site . join the crew. We are planning now for 2016 and would like to include you in the fun. Contact More Exposure for MMF... George Pongonis(article author) at 757 898 4364. To keep abreast of our activities and spon- sored events follow us on Facebook and our blog. Donor Boat Program... You can follow both of these, receiving posts to 2015 was another good year for this pro- your email or phone if you like, and get the latest gram. Twenty four boats ranging in size from a info as soon as it is posted. Check out these fea- nine foot dinghy to a thirty-five foot Pearson tures through the links on our home page, sloop and a couple of boat trailers were sold for a www.mathewsmaritime.com, or directly at total of $ 30,285.00. The oldest boat sold was a https://www.facebook.com/mathewsmartime for- Facebook, and for Peggy’s blog go to 1967 Rebel 16 one design sailboat. http://peggyofnewpoint.blogspot.com/. Like our Although Foundation treasurer Pete Hall page, sign up to receive posts, share with your takes care of the paperwork associated with the friends, and get social with us! acceptance and sale of the donated boats, Direc- And don't forget, you can always order t- tor Dave Machen is to be thanked for his efforts shirts, books, calendars, Peggy prints, DVDs, above and beyond. He takes on the responsibility and other items found in our Museum Gift Shop to prepare many of these boats for presentation using our online store. We use a secure PayPal to prospective buyers. His expertise with engines connection for checkout. Keeping the Past in the Present Preserving it for the Future Vol.7 No.1 January 2016 Foundation Financial Position... The Foundation now has a profile on The Com- Here is a summarized statement of the Founda- munity Foundation Serving Richmond and Cen- tions Activities for the year 2015. It is presented tral Virginia web site. To view profile go to... here to give you a picture of our financial posi- http://giverichmond.guidestar.org/NonprofitProfi tion and well being. le.aspx?OrgId=1047401 The Foundation continues to support its mis- sion to preserve and protect Mathews County’s Contributors to MMF in 2015... rich maritime and cultural heritage through re- Our sincere thanks to the following for their con- search, conservation, documentation and educa- tinued support of the Foundation and Museum. tion. Donations/Contributions Statement of Activities of $5,000 or more Revenue !Zach Middleton Contributions $10,241. !Paul E. Zahn Boat Donor Program 30,285. !! Gwynn’s Island Boat Shop 4,520. Donations/Contributions of $ 1,000 - $ 4,999 Gift Shop 2,136. !Shannon Blake Membership Dues 1,240. !Jack Caldwell Total $48,422. !Catherine Cottrell Expenses !Bruce Dwyer Boat Donor Program 5,299. !Dennis Francis Insurance 5,746. !Yvonne Gaines Building Rental 10,800. !Richard Hollerith, Jr. Building -Equip. & Repairs 480. !Matt Jenkins Utilities 2,963. !Mark Mead Peggy Operations 1,244. !Timothy Morgan Museum Operations 1,378. !Agamemnon Mourges Membership Development 1,376. !Ian Morse COGS 180. !Thomas Rose, Jr. Capital Purchases 2,555. !Mildred Stillman !Jay White Total $32,021. !Robin Wigton !!! Change in Net Assets $16,401. Donations/Contributions of $500 - $ 999 !William Buklad Summarized Statement of Financial Position !Drew Carneal As of December 31, 2012 !Steve Casper Assets: !Charles Finley, Jr. Cash & Equivalents $ 40,508. !Blain Gayle II Peggy Endowment Fund 38,630. !Robert Hanny MV Peggy 85,000. !Zachary Hudgins Other Assets 7,383. !Todd Lowery !Timothy Murphy Total $171,521. !John Parker Liability & Equity !James Redington Accounts Payable $ 275. !Michael Tirrell Equity 171,246. !Michael Uliasz Total $171,521. !Paul VandenBout Keeping the Past in the Present Preserving it for the Future Vol.7 No.1 January 2016

Donations/Contributions !Thomas D. Edwards of $100 - $ 499 !Mr.&Mrs. Donald Foster !Michael Brann !Roger Gamble !William Burdette !Tim Hill !Boyd & Sandra Collier !Lewis Hubbard! !Dennis Crawford !Aubrey Hudgins !Jack Fuller !Edwin Jarvis !James Gibson !Reed Lawson !Peter R. Hall !Helen S, Lewis !George T. Harrison !Irvin Maslaw !David Heidlebaugh !Vicki Pritchett !Gary L. Herndon !Andrew Raw !C. Randolph Hudgins, Jr. !Arnold Ripley !George A. Levis !David A. Rowland !Nancy Lindgren !Lynn Symarski !Todd Lowery !Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Swenson !John Lucy !Wallace B. Twigg, Jr. !Dave Machen !Robert Warren !Tom McGraw !Mr. & Mrs. Doug Wilton !Mr.&Mrs. Robert C. Murdock !Zimmerman Marine !George W. Pongonis !Fred Pribble !Dennis Rundlett Foundation/Corporation Donations !JoAnn Smith & Matching Gifts... !Paul Stimson ! !Capt. & Mrs. William Story USNRET !Exxon/Mobile Foundation !Michael Swiderski !Urbanna Oyster Festival Committee !Doug Ward !Joseph L. Ward !James C. Warren !John Washburn !Rosalyn White !Benjamin Whited !John VanShalkwyk !Elsa C. Verbyla ! Donations/Contributions of Under $ 100 !Ms. Patricia Almond !Marcy Benouameur !John Bonner !William Burdette !Jack Caldwell !Walter S. Coleman !Dennis Crawford !Anna T. Deaver

Keeping the Past in the Present Preserving it for the Future Vol.7 No.1 January 2016

The tugboat “Chas. A. White” “Blockade Runner “Caroline” owned and cap- Model built by Capt. John C. Handy tained by Lewis Hudgins and his son.

Tug boat pond yacht donated by Bonnie Hardy

Brig “Constitution” build by Lewis Hudgins at Fitchett’s Wharf Model by Peter Wrike of Cobbs Creek

Picture of Tom Colvin designed junk rigged ketch Navy mine buoy identified as such by Bob George Keeping the Past in the Present Preserving it for the Future Vol.7 No.1 January 2016 this little gem will have to be completed follow- ing the instructions in the builders manual. In addition to the work needed on the aforementioned boats we have left over from one of our earlier family boat building weekends, two Mike O’Brien six-hour canoe kits available for purchase at $395 each. Purchaser can choose to build the kit at our boat shop assisted by one of our volunteers or take it home to complete the build. If the latter, a construction manual will be furnished. We are in the process of gathering the ma- terials to be used in the restoration and building of these boats and canoes. Once we have them assembled at the Boat Shop we’ll send out to our Model of the deck boat “Peggy of New Point” email list a schedule of work days. built by Edward Diggs We are looking to attract persons who have some experience in boat construction as Boat Build Planned for this year... well as someone wanting to learn the ins and ! Last year, among the boats donated to the outs of the process. All are welcome. Foundation, were three smaller ones that are in need of restoration before they can be put up for Why Start Now? sale or included in our museum collections. You may ask, why start boat building now These three boats are in our Gwynn’s Island after such a long hiatus? I guess the straight Boat Shop awaiting restoration by a crew of vol- forward answer is the shape of the economy. unteers who are interested in learning the art of There were not enough people around who could boat building and restoration. afford the cost of the boat kits. When we had our One is an Old Town “Whitecap”, 13’ lap- first Family Boat Building weekend in 2005 a strake sloop rigged sail boat. She needs a new family paid $450 for a 10’ rowboat kit they built deck canvas and a coat of paint all around. She and took home at the end of the weekend.That will also need a new mast and boom as well as a year 35 individuals took part. new centerboard, rudder and tiller. In subsequent years folks interested in A second boat is a 8’ Seal Cove Skiff (some family boatbuilding wanted more than just a 10 call it a wheel barrow boat) that was built by foot rowboat. This requirement meant more ma- students in a boat building school run by Joe terials at ever increasing cost. Which in turn DeAlteris that was located in Mathews Court- meant fewer families who could afford the price house in a building now occupied by Sunrise of the boat kits. Pancake & Waffle House. So, rather than families having to shell This boat is on loan to the Foundation. We out for a boat kit we decided to offer what may are to restore it and then it will become a part of be considered boat building classes. Classes will our museum collection. The work needed on it be held on Saturdays and possibly during one is quite extensive as the stern and bottom need week in the summer. to be replaced, some of the chine and ribs need Individuals can come as often as they like replacement, and she needs a new paint from to learn the craft of boatbuilding. If you do come stem to stern. often we’d ask that you make a donation to help The third boat is a mini tug boat of 10-12’. offset our costs. She came to us as a bare hull. Construction of Keeping the Past in the Present Preserving it for the Future