As in recent years, the Chesapeake Bay's oyster harvest continues to decline. Of the 26 skipjacks known remaining, only 17 were rigged to dredge oysters this winter. Due to parasitic diseases and worsening water quality, we have reportedly 75 percent mortality in the harvest this year; dredgers are only working two days a week. In recent years, a good captain could land 500 to 600 bushels a week. This years's harvest is expected to be less than two million bushels with the best boats bringing in only 100 bushels a week. Historically the Chesapeake has been the largest producer of oysters in the United States, bringing forth as many as 20 million bushels a year in the late 1800's.

In this painting, the viewer is aboard "Elsworth." Built in 1901 at Hudson, MD, "Elsworth" was the first dredge boat that I sailed aboard. Off her port bow is the "Maggie Lee," built in Pocomoke City, MD, in 1903 and skippered by my friend Bill Bradshaw of Tilghman Island, MD. Captain Bradshaw's paternal great-grandfather was the legendary "Lickin' Billy" Bradshaw from Smith Island who was known for incomparable strength and his uncanny skill as a waterman. During World War II, "Maggie Lee" was commandeered by the military to sail Baltimore Harbor, collecting any floating debris which inhibited the passing of our military supply ships.

Further to port is another "drudge" boat. These three vessels are all gathered on the same oyster "rock" to glean a few live oysters from the empty shells and debris hauled up from the bottom.

To the north, we see an approaching rain squall as the bright sun of morning dances across the cold Bay water. The hardy watermen must contend with many uncertaintees; the weather is but one.

The skipjacks are the last remaining commercial fishing boats to work under sail in North America. They are all found in the Maryland waters of the Chesapeake Bay.

- John Barber - (Winter 1987/1988)