A vanishing fleet and a dying breed of sea

A vanishing fleet and a dying breed of sea captains will again shar* a day of glory this year on the Chesapeake Bay.

The last of the sailing oystermen will compete October 31 in the sixth annual Chesapeake Appreciation Day Skipjack Race just north of Annapolis, Maryland, the National Geographic Society says.

Their graceful V-bottomed vessels with clipperlike bows and “leg-o’-mutton” sails are the Nation's last commercial fleet to work under sail. Only about 40 have been licensed to dredge for oysters this year, and they will continue to dwindle.

“Ever* year there's one or two of ’em taken up the creek to die.” sighed a wistful oldtimer. “Ain’t no more workin’ skipjacks bein' built. Last one was built in 1956. Won’t never be no more.”

Even this vestigial fleet exists only because a Maryland law prohibits dredging under power on all but two days of the week. From November 1 to March 15 Baymen sail their boats to and from the oyster “rocks” or, il there is no wind, push them with small powerboats rigged astern.

But they must hoist yawlboaU inboard when on the rocks and dredge by wind power alone except on Mondays and Tuesdays.

The first skipjack appeared or the Bay sometime after the Civi! War, but her origin, like the meaning of her name, is obscure The vessel’s speed and hardiness were so apparent that she soor began to supersede such oldtimen as sloops, bugeyes, and centerboard schooners that had dredged for oysters since the early 1800’s.

At the height of theii popularity, more than 1,00C skipjacks sailed Maryland waters

Both the boats and the catch steadily have declined. Last season powerboats and d red gen

H. M. Keyser, Jr. and two sons of Clifton.

Sunday visitors of Miss Lucy Estes and Mrs. Mamie Wrenn were Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Pearson and family of Vienna, Mrs. Ruth Leider and Mrs. Esther Robinsor of Washington, D. C.

Nfrs. T. M. Johnston was i visitor Saturday of her parent! Mr. and Mrs. C. B. Tanner a! Wolftown.