Rebecca T. Ruark, Historic skipjack vessel in Tilghman Island, Maryland, US
The Rebecca T. Ruark is a historic wooden sailing vessel of the skipjack type, measuring about 69 feet in length and rigged with a large mainsail and jib for propulsion. The boat carries traditional equipment on deck used for dredging oysters from the Chesapeake Bay waters.
Built in 1896 at Taylor's Island, the vessel represents the height of skipjack design for Chesapeake Bay oyster harvesting. It earned National Historic Landmark status in 2003 in recognition of its importance to the region's maritime traditions.
The vessel embodies a living connection for Maryland watermen to the Chesapeake Bay, where oyster harvesting and fishing have been part of daily life for generations. Visitors see the practical methods and tools still used today that watermen have relied on for decades.
The vessel remains active and operates on the Chesapeake Bay for oyster dredging after undergoing extensive repairs in 2023. Visitors should know that operating schedules can vary depending on fishing conditions and weather.
The original mast was replaced in 2000 and its wood was used to craft carved figures, including a duck decoy now displayed at the Smithsonian American History Museum. This piece connects the historic vessel to one of the nation's most significant museum collections.
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