Loving Skipjacks and Oysters

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Bud Marseilles

Bud Marseille is a retired engineer and a member of the Dorchester Skipjack Committee which owns the skipjack Nathan of Dorchester.

With the decline of the oyster population, the iconic skipjack oyster boats of the Chesapeake Bay are now a dying fleet, but symbolize a unique maritime heritage.

Discover the fascinating history of the iconic Chesapeake Bay skipjacks and their predecessors that sailed our local rivers.

This course is presented by the Dorchester Skipjack Committee, whose members have years of experience telling the maritime story of skipjacks on the Chesapeake Bay and their important relationship to oyster ecology.

In this course, we will learn how the evolution of the Chesapeake Bay skipjack is closely tied to the historic changes in the oyster population and the harvesting of Chesapeake “gold.” Skipjacks, once abundant in every harbor and loaded with oysters, are now a dying fleet of dredge boats. These iconic wooden boats, especially on the Eastern Shore, symbolize a unique maritime heritage.

The decline of the oyster population due to over-harvesting, disease, and environmental impacts has led to a reduced harvest. Yet, despite a significant decline in the oyster population, the waterman’s way of life persists today, with resilient men and women continuing to dredge for oysters. We will explore current efforts aimed at creating a resurgence in the oyster population and positively impacting the Bay’s ecology.

Join us as we delve into the rich history, current challenges, and future prospects of the Chesapeake Bay skipjacks and the oyster industry.