Travel back in time to when the quiet waters of Dorchester County were frequently interrupted by battles between oyster pirates and local watermen.
Through contemporary newspaper articles, learn of a time when “pirates ruled the roost” against local watermen while locals anxiously awaited help from across the bay. Small villages were evacuated to escape violence, sheriff’s possies pursued Baltimore oyster dredges plundering local oyster beds. Telegrams asking Annapolis for help went unanswered and New York newspapers sent war correspondents to Cambridge to report on the violence all caused by the Chesapeake Bay oyster.
Hear about the people and battles that took place around Bishops Head, the Honga river, the Little Choptank and to Cooks Point at the mouth of the big Choptank river where the Washington Post poet laureate composed a poem about the battle fought on the big Choptank River.
What to Expect:
Learn of the oyster wars that took place between local watermen and oyster pirates 150 years ago. How did the Maryland oyster police operate – their successes and failures – in combating wide spread oyster piracy?
Feedback from Bud’s past courses with us:
“Very informative. Instructor was very knowledgeable. Enjoyed the class a lot!”
“Excellent class! Bud’s knowledge, research, passion, and pleasant, engaging style created a wonderful program! Thank you, Bud“
“Excellent presentation. It would obtain a 5 star rating if a trip on the skipjack Nathan was included!“
1 Session | Wednesday | Nov 12 | 10:30 – noon | HYBRID (choose to participate in-person at our classroom at the Easton Family YMCA on Peachblossom, joining by Zoom, or waiting for a recording) | $30
