Hilda M. Willing

The Hilda M. Willing is a skipjack sailboat based on Maryland's coast and built for oyster dredging work. The vessel features a pointed bow and square stern, which are characteristic of this traditional boat design.

The boat was built in 1905 in Oriole and belonged to a fleet of fishing boats that shaped the Chesapeake Bay area for generations. It was recognized in 1994 as a National Historic Landmark because of its importance to North American commercial sailing history.

The vessel is named after a former owner and represents how oyster workers of the Chesapeake Bay used their boats for daily fishing work. Visitors can see today how this trade remains part of local identity.

The boat is moored at Deal Island and can be visited by request, with operators offering sailing trips. It is best to check local conditions and bring layered clothing, since water outings depend on the weather.

The boat carries Maryland registration number 1 and shows through its special sail setup how early fishing boats were optimized for their work. This equipment was important for operating in difficult bay conditions.