The historic buyboat \’Prop Wash\’. THE CHESAPEAKE photo by Ken Rossignol On the Iva W, Eva, Benny and their mom Veronica are treated to tee shirts by the owner. THE CHESAPEAKE TODAY photo
COMPTON, MD. 08/02/2014 —  Fitzie’s Marina owner Dan FitzGerald reports that thirteen historic Chesapeake Bay Buyboats are visiting Fitzie’s this weekend.
“There were thirteen here last night and tonight and tomorrow we expect to host ten at Fitzie’s,” FitzGerald told THE CHESAPEAKE TODAY. Shown at left and below is the historic oyster Buyboat PROP WASH, which has its homeport in Dumfries, Virginia at Tim’s Rivershore Restaurant. The PROP WASH was built in 1925 and was recently restored at Hinckley’s Yachts in Maine.
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Visiting each year are a collection of historic Chesapeake Bay buyboats that assemble at Fitzie’s Marina on Breton Bay and some can be seen at the annual Blessing of the Fleet, sponsored by the 7th District Optimist Club.
The wheelhouse of the F. D. Crockett shows the painstaking care which has been provided by the teams of volunteers at the Deltaville Maritime Museum to bring the historic oyster Buyboat back to life. John England said that the ship was headed towards the boat graveyard as shown below on Nomini Bay, when the volunteers decided to tackle the task. THE CHESAPEAKE TODAY photo.
The present owner and master of the Iva W., Scott, hosts a family for a tour of the pilot house and even the engine room of the ship. The Iva W has had three engines in its lifetime, with the Caterpillar 13000 diesel engine which was installed about the end of WWII. THE CHESAPEAKE TODAY photo Johnny Ward of Deltaville was but 26 years old when the Iva W was launched for him to captain. The vessel hauled all manner of freight including watermelons, lumber, oysters, crabs, tomatoes and cabbage and in later years, seed oysters. The ship has been remodeled and restored with the pilot house elevated to provide a cabin. The Iva W owner delights crowds around the bay with visits and tours and invites folks to invite him to visit their ports and events. THE CHESAPEAKE TODAY photo
Dave Wright, owner of the Prop Wash, displays prior names of the historic oyster Buyboat next to the pilot house of the vessel. THE CHESAPEAKE TODAY photo
This view of the hold of the F. D. Crockett shows how the bottom of the ship was built, from logs. This hold was part of the storage area for oysters as they were also carried on the deck. The oyster buyboats were an important link from those who tonged the oysters to the surface and sold them to the Captain of the Buyboat who then transported them to wharves in Norfolk, Baltimore, Crisfield, Alexandria and Washington, D.C. THE CHESAPEAKE TODAY photo
After a hard day sailing up the Potomac these captains prepare for explaining to visitors what a buyboat is and how they functioned. John England, at right, led the effort to save the F.D. Crockett, the oldest log boat in Virginia. THE CHESAPEAKE TODAY photo
This historic Oyster Buyboat, the F.D. Crockett was almost a total loss and beyond saving with the exception of it’s historical significance, according to the man who led the effort to restore it. John England and the many volunteers of the Deltaville Maritime Museum performed the thousands of hours of labor and raised the money needed for materials. THE CHESAPEAKE TODAY photo
A stern day on Breton Bay as the world’s largest flotilla of Chesapeake Bay Oyster Buyboats assembles for free public tours guided by those who have lovingly preserved these famous vessels. THE CHESAPEAKE TODAY photo
Buyboats on Breton Bay, Poppa Francis from Iva W
Iva W built in 1929 is one of only a few two deck oyster buyboats. THE CHESAPEAKE TODAY photo
Historic Buyboats arrive at Breton Bay off of the Potomac River. THE CHESAPEAKE TODAY photo
The Poppa Francis on display at Breton Bay. THE CHESAPEAKE TODAY photo
Ribbon cutting by Commissioner Bailey at Bushwood Wharf. Bailey is the namesake of the Samuel M. Bailey which is operated by his grandson. Photo courtesy of Walter B. Dorsey for THE CHESAPEAKE TODAY.
Available in eBook, paperback and audiobook Buyboat’s last days in final resting place on Nomini River, Virginia. THE CHESAPEAKE TODAY photo
Samuel M Bailey on Potomac. THE CHESAPEAKE TODAY photo
Sam Bailey, the grandson of the man for whom the Samuel M. Bailey was named, visited the assembly of famous Chesapeake Bay Oyster Buyboats. Bailey noted that his brother’s boat, the Samuel M. Bailey, is the youngest of those buyboats in the flotilla. It was built in 1957. THE CHESAPEAKE TODAY photo
This Buyboat serves the oyster fleet on Wicomico River near Rock Point, in Charles County Maryland. The Chesapeake Legends Yarns and Barnacles. Click to hear free 5 min. sample
