Reedville Fishermen's Museum - Reedville, Virginia

Reedville Fishermen's Museum - Reedville, Virginia 

Sentinels of 

Cockrell's Creek 

WINTER 2007 

Tom Ryals 

INSIDE 

From the Pilot 

House 

President’s 

Corner 

Barge 

Discovery: The 

Beginning 

Northern Neck 

Railroad 

Exhibits 

Houses of 

Reedville 

Members 

Flotsam & 

Jetsam 

Christmas on 

Cockrell’s 

Creek 

Special Events Calendar Foggy River Oyster Roast Home Tour 

Quilters 

In Memoriam 

2—3 4—5 6—7 8—9 10-11 

12-13 14-15 16-17

FROM THE PILOTHOUSE 

I’m not sure why Charles Bowles 

named his workboat Foggy 

River. But when the 42’ deadrise 

was launched at George P. Butler’s 

boatyard in 1961 that was the 

name she bore. 

The years have not been kind to Foggy River and her 

conservation, restoration, maintenance and interpretation 

is a long-term project that will require the best efforts 

of our organization. The work required to restore the 

boat is varied. Some of it requires skilled and experienced 

craftsmen like George M. Butler, son of the boat’s 

builder. Some of the work is dirty work and requires volunteers 

willing to scrape, patch, pry, repair, replace, saw, 

hammer, clean, paint and sweat. In addition to a crew 

of hard-working volunteers, we’ll need money, material 

and an engine. We’ll also be looking for working gear 

used for crabbing and oystering, and the insights of area 

watermen. 

Let me pause here for an editorial 

remark. In the southeastern Nebraska farming community 

where I grew up, folks didn’t name their combines. 

Conversations might include mention of “the Allis 

Chalmers,” or “the old 4400,” but that was sterile reference 

to a manufacturer or model number. The closest 

any combine came to a given name was when it faltered 

during the rush of fall harvest. Then the offending machine 

could receive any number of names…none of 

which I’d care to repeat here. 

Chesapeake Bay workboats, on the other hand, have 

long been christened with the name of a beloved daughter, 

like Elva C., or a son, like Claud W. Somers. Others 

carry the names of wives, sweethearts, mothers, sisters, 

or even the boat-builder. Unlike factory-forged farm machinery, 

stamped out in a distant city, workboats like 

Foggy River would often reflect the unique collaboration 

between boat-builder and waterman/owner. Over time, 

the vessel revealed its unique character traits, took on a 

personality of its own, and ultimately became a member 

of the waterman’s family. 

Captain Bowles and others provided this Butler-built deadrise 

with an active career. She provided the same for 

them in return. However, Foggy River’s work days are 

now behind her. Like the partnership between boatbuilder 

and waterman that flourished on these waters for 

generations, her time is slipping away. Today she sits 

as a silent witness to an era that is quickly disappearing 

from Cockrell’s Creek. 

Thankfully, your Reedville Fishermen's Museum exists to 

preserve and share the stories of the people who take 

their living from the waters of the Chesapeake 

Bay. Thankfully, there is still time to hear the stories that 

Foggy River can tell. We already know a great deal 

about her (see Spud Parker’s article on page 11). We 

know about her Reedville construction, modifications to 

her structure, and about her working career on Cockrell’s 

Creek. Most importantly, we know that this lovely vessel 

has recently been donated to the Reedville Fishermen's 

Museum through the generosity of Mssrs. George C. and 

George B. Verlander. 

This is not going to be a quick job. This is not going to 

be an easy job. In fact, it’s going to be a challenge. It 

will demand the involvement of all facets of our membership. 

But it’s a job worthy of the Reedville Fishermen's 

Museum and a challenge that we can meet. 

As I write these lines, I remember that when I ran into 

trouble on the combine, I’d simply climb down from the 

cab and walk back to the house. Walking home isn’t 

much of an option when January blows a Nor’easter that 

catches you out on the Bay. Perhaps that’s the key difference 

between a John Deere 4400 Combine and a 

workboat like Foggy River. Perhaps it’s in that journey 

home--through the salt-water baptism of a storm-tossed 

sea--that she earns her right to a name and a place in 

the family. 

Welcome home, Foggy River. You’ve had quite a journey. 

Welcome home. 

Chuck Backus, Executive Director 

ON THE COVER 

Retired veterans of World War II, Coastal Harvester 

(former U.S. Army freight service vessel and veteran of 

the island hopping campaigns in the Pacific Theatre), 

and Atlantic Breeze (former U.S. Navy patrol & rescue 

vessel built as a mine sweeper and veteran of the Invasion 

of Okinawa, Leyte Gulf, Philippine Sea, & South 

China Sea), had full careers as menhaden boats following 

their retirement from military service. Now retired 

from Omega Protein, they stand silent watch over the 

waters of Cockrell's Creek. 

2 STARRY BANNER WINTER 2007

. 

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT 

I have had an easy time as president this year because 

of the fine work done by our operating committees. Our 

major fund-raising events were very successful due to 

the leadership of each chairperson. Ben Ward did his 

usual great job with the oyster roast. I want to thank 

Carol Cole for stepping up and leading Christmas on 

Cockrell’s Creek to another quality event. The next 

fundraiser is the auction and I’m sure Margaret Hudnall 

will work her magic on that. I’m always so proud of the 

way all of our volunteers perform tirelessly in these 

events. 

From its humble beginning twenty years ago, our museum 

has developed into something we can all be 

proud of. 

PRESIDENT’S CORNER 

Our future looks bright with all of the projects we have 

planned. We are always trying to improve on what we 

are already doing. RFM Visions 20/20 is on the agenda 

for January 14th at 1:00 PM at Festival Halle. This is 

an open meeting where anyone can express ideas as to 

where the museum should go in the future. We hope 

that this meeting will be beneficial to RFM. 

Reflecting back over the years, I see many reasons for 

our success. To me, the support and loyalty of our 

large number of members stands out as the main reason. 

Hard work and good fortune rank up there also. 

Former director, Angus Murdock, used to say fairy dust 

was sprinkled on our museum. I think he may have 

something there. 

I have enjoyed working with our executive director, 

Chuck Backus. I am certain that the new board president 

for next year will find it as rewarding as I have. 

Wendell Haynie 

FAREWELL MESSAGE 

FROM JESSICA WAITE 

I have always believed 

that certain 

people and situations 

are brought into our 

lives for a reason. 

Now whether that 

reason is for happiness 

and joy, or pain 

and sorrow depends 

upon the person. My 

stop at the Reedville 

Fishermen’s Museum 

is one of those happy 

situations everyone 

searches for. The 

last six months have 

brought new and exciting 

experiences 

into my life. 

I will look fondly back at some of the most memorable 

experiences with a smile from the Bluefish 

Derby where I volunteered to tag the catches (a big 

feat for me personally because of my fear of fish) 

to the Fourth of July parade that can be seen 

twice, my first sailing trip (thanks to Spud and 

Joanie Parker) and my first Oyster Roast. However, 

it is the friends I have made in the Northern 

Neck that have had the most impact on me. 

I would like to take the time to thank all the volunteers, 

the board members, staff, and community for 

welcoming me into their homes and lives. You 

have made my stay in Reedville a happy one, but I 

must say good-bye. I have accepted a position with 

the Nebraska State Historical Society at the Gerald 

Ford Conservation Center in Omaha. As this year 

draws to a close and the new year begins, I am 

preparing to take this next step in my career. I wish 

the very best for the Reedville Fishermen’s Museum 

and its supporters in the coming years. 

Happy Holidays and farewell! 

STARRY BANNER WINTER 2007 3

BARGE DISCOVERY: THE BEGINNING 

Barge or Shallop: What’s in a name? 

In the flurry of activity surrounding the 400 th anniversary of 

Jamestown, an historical conversation has arisen regarding 

which boat John Smith used to explore the Chesapeake Bay. 

RFM volunteer George Perry has composed a series of articles 

for the Starry Banner to examine this historical question. 

Perry contends that there were two different small vessels (a 

shallop and a barge), that John Smith knew the difference 

between them, and that both played a different role in the 

founding of Jamestown and the exploration of the Chesapeake 

Bay. Perry’s original research reviewed over 40 books or texts 

on the Jamestown colony. These ranged from the 1904 John 

Smith Edited Edition to Edward Haile’s 1998 text; Jamestown 

Narratives. --Editor 

Part I: Introduction 

John Smith and the Colony at Jamestown. In 2007, Jamestown 

celebrates the 400th anniversary of the first British settlement 

of our country. The Reedville Fishermen’s Museum built 

a replica of the three-ton “brethren” barge—the Discovery— 

that John Smith used 

in 1608 in his two 

explorations of the 

Chesapeake Bay. 

Smith explored the 

Chesapeake Bay by 

water and on foot. He 

drew the first detailed 

charts of the 

Bay and the surrounding 

country, 

locating the Indian 

villages by name. 

Forced to return to 

England in 1609 due 

to injury from an 

explosion of gunpowder, 

he never 

returned to the Bay 

or to Jamestown. He did make three more voyages to the New 

World, during which he drew charts of the East Coast from the 

Carolinas to Nova Scotia. 

These charts, in fact, were used by the “pilgrims” aboard the 

Mayflower. But we must not forget that the Jamestown colony’s 

Susan Constant, Discovery, and Godspeed arrived in 

Virginia 13-14 years before the Mayflower arrived in Massachusetts! 

village; Cinqiack, at the head of the peninsula that is now 

named Reedville. In his daily diary entries, he shows his group 

coming into the east side of Reedville on July, 15, 1608. He 

wrote about an Indian named Musco from the King’s village; 

Wighcocomoco, located at the headwaters of the Little 

Wicomico River (which flows to modern-day Reedville). 

The idea to build a replica of the barge Discovery was 

launched in Spring 2002, over cocktails on the fantail of 

Wendell Haynie’s boat. One of us mentioned the two small 

vessels in the diaries of John Smith, and said that it would be 

interesting to build them. Wendell, always positive, said 

“Yes.” Aubrey Henry, always practical, asked what was involved 

and how big were these two vessels? The reply was 

that the smaller of the two was 27’ to 28’ and larger one was 

33’ to 37’. We decided to build the smaller one. I was asked to 

do the basic research and to come up with plans of the period 

and the overall design of the replica. 

I am not a formally trained historian or naval architect. I was 

trained in forestry and economics (B.S., University of Georgia), 

business (M.B.A., Yale), and economics and mathematics 

(M.S., Duke University). I spent over ten years in a “think 

tank,” the Management Sciences Staff in California, during 

my 35-year career. Like many overgrown “boys,” I love boats 

and the sea. I have built for myself, others, and Reedville Fishermen’s 

Museum over 60 historic models and have restored 

for others over 25 historic models; some dating back to the 

16 th century. 

In fact, as I write this at my dining room table, before me is a 

wonderful model of a clipper ship built in 1932-33, the Flying 

Cloud, which I plan to restore if my eyesight holds out! 

Reedville can make a good case for John Smith having come 

here on one or both of his explorations, for he shows an Indian 

George Lucas Perry 


NORTHERN NECK RAILROAD 

All Aboard! 

The Northern Neck Railroad Arrives at Reedville Fishermen’s Museum 

The Northern Neck Railroad has begun its annual Holiday run at the Reedville Fishermen's Museum! Visitors have 

come to enjoy the turn-of-the-century Reedville and surrounding communities carefully recreated in miniature with 

model trains, realistic scenery, and precision models. 

The 2007 -2007 season debuts the newly completed Fredericksburg area including a lighted tunnel and hilltop dairy 

farm. And no visit to the exhibit would be complete without watching "The Railroad That Never Was" an exciting new 

video that gives you a rider’s eye view and behind the scenes look at this delightful exhibit. 

Come and discover the past as it might have been. Bring your whole family to enjoy an imaginary journey on the 

Northern Neck Railroad! 

Sponsored by Lillian Lumber Company, the Northern Neck Railroad exhibit will be open January 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, and 

14. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for Seniors. Children 12 & under, and members of the Reedville Fishermen's Museum 

are admitted free. For further information, contact the Reedville Fishermen's Museum at 804.453.6529 or 

check out our website at www.rfmuseum.org 


EXHIBITS 

EXHIBIT TO OPEN IN MAY… 

CAPTAIN JOHN SMITH 

VISITS THE NORTHERN NECK 

In 2007 it will be 400 years since John Smith explored 

the Chesapeake Bay for the first 

time. His main objective was looking 

for that elusive passageway to the 

Orient. 

Stimulated by the sight of the completed 

Smith barge replica which has 

drawn so much attention and praise, 

we thought it fitting to direct our major 

2007 exhibition to the subject of 

Smith’s exploration. We decided to 

portray the environment that Smith found himself in as 

he visited native settlements in the lower Northern Neck. 

There seemed, also, a need to put his activities in perspective: 

• What had produced the environment he became so 

enthralled with? 

• What was going on elsewhere at that time in history? 

• What was the Native American culture at that time 

and who were these people? 

• And, since everyone, even then, was a “comehere”…Where 

did these “Native Americans” come 

from? 

These and a number of other questions arose while formulating 

the content of the exhibition. 

The centerpiece of the 

exhibition will be a 

6’X8’ diorama of the 

lower Northern Neck. 

It will show where Native 

Americans settled, 

how they lived and 

what their environment 

was like. It will display 

models of the boats involved, not only in Smith’s adventures, 

but also that surrounding this diorama will be displays 

relating to the coast of Virginia. Surrounding this 

diorama will be displays relating to the lifestyle of both 

the settlers and the native Americans. The wildlife and 

the vegetation of that period, as well as, the abundant 

sea life that awed Smith and his crew, will be illustrated. 

the boat was handled. 

Our exhibition committee has spent untold hours researching 

the various components of this exhibit and still 

had a way to go. While ample records exist about the 

Jamestown settlement, little was recorded of the activity 

in the lower Northern Neck for the years 1607-1608. As 

a result, reconstructing the local scene requires a lot of 

conjecture and interpolation. But we think 

we’ve got it right and are hopeful that this 

will be another successful RFM exhibit. 

The show will open in early May 2007 and 

will probably be on display through 2008. 

We can, as always, use some extra help. 

Anyone with graphic art experience or 

who can do some carpentry would be very 

welcome. We will need more help from 

the middle of January to the first of May. 

Please call George Frayne or the Museum office. 

George Frayne 

SECOND ANNUAL 

NEEDLE ARTS SHOW OPENS 

The Reedville Fishermen's Museum is 

pleased to announce the Second Annual 

Needle Arts Show. The exhibit will be open 

Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from December 

14 th through January 14 th in Reedville. 

Admission is $5.00 for adults and 

$3.00 for Seniors. Children under 12 and 

RFM members are admitted free. 

Presented by the RFM Quilters, the exhibit 

features much more than quilts. Hand-made 

exotic dolls, needlepoint, knitted items of all 

kinds, hooked rugs, English embroidery, and 

beaded jewelry are but a sampling of the art 

to be exhibited at the event. In addition to 

the work of the RFM Quilters, works by other 

needle artists will be on display. 

To complete the exhibition visually we will highlight the 

history of the construction of the replica of the Smith 

barge that now enhances the museum’s boat collection 

and we hope to complete a re-enactment, on film, of 

what it was like to explore the Bay in this vessel and how 

For further information, contact the Reedville 

Fishermen's Museum at 804.453.6529 or 

check out our website at www.rfmuseum.org 


SPECIAL EVENTS 

RFM VISIONS 20/20 

What if… 

We want your input Sunday, January 14 th 

when we brainstorm! 

Visions 20/20 is a board-backed initiative to 

try to mine the community and out-of-town 

members for creative, interesting, zany, intriguing 

ideas that will continue to keep the 

museum fresh and exciting! 

Please tell me you went right to your calendar 

when you received the invitation postcard 

after Thanksgiving and marked the 

date and time! We chose 1-4 so those who 

attend church can do both and those who 

don’t can finish their Sunday morning rituals. 

The topics range through all the usual suspects: 

ideas for exhibits, building projects, 

education, fund-raising, entertainment, marketing, 

recruitment, etc. The sky’s the 

limit! Every idea has potential! What if… 

We are planning break-out sessions so 

you are guaranteed your say. 

We promise that you will not automatically 

be made the chairman. 

We promise you don’t have to know 

how to house it, fund it or feed it. 

We will have refreshments when we’re 

done that will tide you over ‘til dinner. 

The more people share ideas the more ideas 

will be born. This promises to be a stimulating 

and entertaining afternoon made all the 

better because you are here! Non-members 

with good ideas are invited, too. All we ask 

is that you call the office 453-6529 by 

January 10 th so we have a count for chairs, 

tables and food. 

SUNDAY, JANUARY 14 TH , 1-4 P.M. 

FESTIVAL HALLE, REEDVILLE 

Benefit Auction Gala 

Coming February 23rd 

SAVE THE DATE 

The Third Annual Benefit Auction Gala 

is back by popular demand and has 

been scheduled for Friday night February 

the 23rd. Join us for cocktails and a 

buffet dinner at Festival Halle in Reedville, 

browse our silent auction tables, 

and let the auctioneer encourage you to 

bid ever and ever higher! 

We have already received some fabulous 

donations but we are still looking 

for those very special items. Margaret 

Hudnall has agreed to again be chief of 

procurement and has some great ideas 

for new and exciting auction items. If 

you have something you'd like to donate 

call Margaret at 580-9118 or the 

Museum office at 453-6529. We can 

arrange to pick up large items if 

needed. 

We need lots of items, big and small. 

It's time to start checking your attic, cellar, 

closets and shelves for those items 

you haven't been able to part with, but 

you just know you'll never use again. 

Tickets will be $35 per person, and reservations 

are required. Dress to Impress. 

Tickets will go on sale the week 

of February 1 at the Museum Office. 

Charge by phone or stop in and pick 

them up. Be sure to get your tickets 

early as we can only accommodate 200 

people and last year's event was sold 

out. 

See you there! 


MODELS REFLECT 19TH CENTURY REEDVILLE 

729 Main Street – Part Two 

For readers following our “Main Street In Miniature” 

series, you’ll notice this is the same street 

address as the Starry Banner’s fall edition article. 

That’s because another historic Main 

Street Reedville building shares this location 

with our previous subject, the Reedville House 

Hotel. 

This edition introduces 

the Blundon and Hinton 

Store building, best 

known today as 

Tommy’s Restaurant. 

As a popular eatery, it 

holds true to its heritage, 

since it began life as a 

department store and 

grocery store. Behind 

the front building was the 

Blundon and Hinton 

Cannery, where many a 

ripe tomato and crisp turnip 

green met their fate. 

Later on, the building 

was used as the Reedville 

Market, and then 

became Elijah’s Restaurant, named after our 

town’s founder, Elijah Reed. 

Mr. William Blundon and Mr. (Captain) John B. 

Hinton were prominent merchants, also owning 

saw, planing, and grist mills. Recall it 

was Captain Hinton who purchased the 

Reedville House in 1884 from the 

Chesapeake Oil and Guano Company as 

his family residence. He and his business 

partner erected the store and cannery 

on the same lot, in the late 1800’s. 

Many original Blundon and Hinton canning 

labels are framed and hung in area 

homes throughout the region as reminders 

of the agricultural and food packing 

aspects of the economic underpinnings 

of Reedville’s past. 

Indeed, good food, or the makings of it, has 

been a common component of this Main Street 

landmark for over a century. Stepping inside 

Tommy’s, the wainscoting on the walls and ceiling, 

the plank floors, old artifacts hung on walls, 

and the relatively undisturbed floor plan conjure 

up visions of yesteryear. It’s not a stretch for 

one to imagine aisles of groceries or dry goods, 

fine shirts and shoes, 

and cans of vegetables 

fresh from the 

neighboring cannery. 

And nowadays, it certainly 

is not difficult to 

see a plate filled with 

juicy prime rib or succulent 

coconut shrimp. 

As always, you can 

find a realistic scale 

model of the Blundon 

and Hinton Store, circa 

1925, in the Pendleton 

Building Model Shop 

on the Northern Neck 

Railroad Exhibit. And 

while you’re in town, 

drop by Tommy’s. Owner, chef, and cordial 

host Tommy Crowther invites our members/ 

readers to present this original article any time 

through January 28 th 2007 and receive a free 

dessert with any entrée. Enjoy! 


REEDVILLE FISHERMEN’S MUSEUM CALENDAR 

JANUARY 2007 

2 9:00 am Boat Shop 12 5:00 pm Cocktails on the Creek 

4:30 pm Operations Meeting 14 1:00 pm Vision 20/20 

4 9:00 am Boat Shop 16 9:00 am Boat Shop 

10:00 am Model Group 18 9:00 am Boat Shop 

5 9:30 am RFM Needlers 10:00am Model Group 

1:00 pm RFM Quilters (BUMC) 2:00 pm Photo Group 


2:00 pm Boat Talk 25 9:00 am Boat Shop 

7:00 pm RFM Board Meeting 10:00 am Model Group 

11 9:00 am Boat Shop 5:00 pm Cocktails on the Creek 


FEBRUARY 2007 

1 9:00 am Boat Shop 7:00 pm RFM Board Meeting 




6 9:00 am Boat Shop 18 2:00am Annual Meeting 

4:30 pm Operations Meeting 20 9:00 am Boat Shop 


10:00 am Model Group 10:00 am Model Group 

5:00 pm Cocktails on the Creek 5:00 pm Cocktails on the Creek 


2:00 pm Boat Talk 

MARCH 2007 

1 9:00 am Boat Shop 7:00 pm RFM Board Meeting 




6 9:00 am Boat Shop 17 Spring Schedule Begins 

4:30 pm Operations Meeting 20 9:00 am Boat Shop 


10:00 am Model Group 10:00 am Model Group 

9 5:00 pm Cocktails on the Creek 23 5:00 pm Cocktails on the Creek 

9-11 Women’s Boat Building 27 9:00 am Boat Shop 


2:00 pm Boat Talk 10:00 am Model Group 

WATERMARK BY MARRIANE MILLER, RFM PHOTO GROUP 

Reedville Fishermen’s Museum 

Phone: (804) 453-6529 

Fax: (804) 453-7159 

Email: rfmstaff@crosslink.net 

Director: bunker@crosslink.net 

Website: www.rfmuseum.org 

Location: 504 Main Street 

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 306 

Please contact the Reedville Fishermen’s Museum for additional information. 

All meetings & events listed are subject to change. You are 

strongly encouraged to call ahead to confirm an event, date and time before 

traveling a significant distance. 


MEMBERS 

Greater Reedville Association & Reedville 

Fishermen’s Museum 

2007 BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

President…………...………………………Wendell Haynie 

Vice President……………………………....Martha Tallent 

Treasurer………………………………...Willis “Bill” Burton 

Secretary…………………………………....Susan Hughes 

DIRECTORS 

Blaine Altaffer 

Dudley Biddlecomb 

Carol Cole 

Jane Crowther 

Kathy Elsden 

Margaret Hudnall 

Karen Jett 

Warner Rice 

Bill Rogers 

Rob Schindler 

Martha Tallent 

Ben Ward 

DIRECTORS EMERITI 

George & Katherine Frayne 

BOARD COMMITTEES 

Financial Management Committee……………Paul Deleo 

Long Range Planning Committee............. Martha Tallent 

Membership Committee ..........................…Susan Tipton 

Planned Giving Committee… .................... Susan Stubbs 

OPERATING COMMITTEES 

Boat Donation & Resale Committee .................Clif Ames 

Boat Shop Committee............................... Jay Rohmann 

Building & Grounds Committee ......................Bill Rogers 

Landscape & Gardening..................CBGC Judy Burgess 

Claud W. Somers Committee......................Harry Towne 

Curatorial Committee .................................Maria Rogers 

Docent Committee ......... Kathy Elsden & Keese Williams 

Elva C. Committee............ Spud Parker & George Butler 

Exhibits/Interpretation Committee............ George Frayne 

Gift Shop Committee......Marcia Adams & Susan Hughes 

Boat Collection Committee…………..Dudley Biddlecomb 

Marketing Committee.....................................Dick Doyle 

Model Shop Committee................................John Elsden 

Photo Group ............................................ Doug Brogden 

Publications ....................... Rita Johnson and Tom Ryals 

Quilters..................................................... Carol Korman 

Walker House Committee ..................... Audrey Brainard 

Webmaster ................................................. Paul Kimball 

MUSEUM STAFF 

Executive Director.................................... Chuck Backus 

PHOTO GROUP 

2007 CALENDAR 

NOW ON SALE! 

ANNUAL MEETING 

ANNOUNCED 

The Reedville Fishermen's Museum will hold its 

Annual Meeting on Sunday, February 18, 

2007. The meeting begins at 2:00 p.m. and will 

be held at Bethany United Methodist Church. All 

museum members are encouraged to attend. 

CHESAPEAKE BAY GARDEN CLUB 

DECORATES FOR CHRISTMAS 

ON COCKRELL’S CREEK 

NANCY FUCHS 


Over the past several years a small group of people with 

great knowledge of traditional workboats have often discussed 

a boat lying unused at Jennings Boatyard in Fairport. 

Despite the somewhat decrepit and unkempt appearance 

of the boat, these conversations continued and 

increased in frequency. Some investigation into her history 

led to the realization that her design, construction, 

career and relationship to Reedville made her a particularly 

effective example of the wooden workboats found in 

this region of the Chesapeake in the middle of the 20 th 

century. 

Foggy River is a 42- 

foot deadrise 1 , open 

boat with a small 

cabin forward – typical 

to some degree of 

the type still seen 

today. She has, however, 

low freeboard 

(distance from waterline 

to deck), a distinctively 

graceful 

sheer (the upward 

curve of the deck 

from stern to bow), an 

unusually pronounced 

but attractive 

flare to her sides 

near the bow and a 

round stern. These 

characteristics, with 

the possible exception 

of the flare and 

her length, were common in the mid-20 th century but, except 

for the round stern, precursors of later designs. The 

stern is of “chunk construction”, meaning that the curve is 

accomplished by shaping pieces of wood 2-feet long and 

3-inches thick laid horizontally like bricks. Unlike the 

square or box stern, a round stern lies to the sea more 

effectively (a necessity at times for a working boat). However, 

chunk style construction became too complex and 

expensive in later years. 

The design of the Foggy River was a collaborative effort 

between her owner, Charles Bowles, and her builder, 

George P. Butler, the second of the three generations of 

the family to own and operate the Reedville Marine Railway. 

As was and is the custom at that shop, there were 

no plans on paper – just discussions prior to and during 

the construction as the boat took shape. 

The materials for the project were cut locally from timberland 

owned by the Lillian Lumber Company, which in turn 

sawed the logs to Mr. Butler’s specifications. The boards 

were then stacked to dry in a shed by the creek where Mr. 

Bowles lived. That house and shed are situated between 

FOGGY RIVER 

Fleeton Road and the road to the Cockrell’s Creek Deli 

and was at one time the site of the Herbert Rice Railway. 

The construction of Foggy River was completed in 1961. 

Charles Bowles was the captain of a menhaden boat and, 

like many of his colleagues, worked the water in other 

ways when the menhaden season closed. The Foggy 

River became the means for him to generate some income 

for most of the year, although not as much as he 

made as a menhaden captain. She was designed and 

initially used to 

fish pound 

nets in the 

spring and 

early summer. 

Later she was 

modified with 

a larger engine 

and other 

gear to go 

crab dredging, 

which is particularly 

demanding 

on 

boat and 

waterman. 

The activity is 

pursued in the 

winter when 

crabs are dug 

into the mud in 

the lower portion 

of the 

Bay. Captain 

Bowles initially pulled a single dredge 8-feet wide but 

then, with an even larger engine, went to two 6-foot 

dredges. It is likely that Foggy River also was used for 

oystering and working crab pots as she, like all workboats, 

could be modified for a variety of activities.. 

When he retired from the water Captain Bowles sold the 

Foggy River to be used for recreational gill netting. Then 

she was discovered by Mr. George Verlander of Montross 

lying unused at the head of a creek off the Corrotoman 

River. He bought her and used her commercially on the 

Potomac River until the engine failed. Mr. Verlander has 

recently donated Foggy River to the Reedville Fishermen's 

Museum. 

Spud Parker 

1 “Deadrise” is a term for the V shape of a bottom at the bow that permits 

it to cut through the waves without pounding. This requires a separate 

set of bottom planks for each side that run across the boat from the side 

to the keel. In the traditional Chesapeake Deadrise the V is very sharp 

at the bow but gradually decreases to flat or almost flat at the stern. 

This combination provides a sharp entry to the water at the bow but also 

the lift at the stern that permits the boat to ride on top of the water. 


FLOTSAM AND JETSAM 

The Boat Donation Committee has 

BOATS FOR SALE 

1972 Larson 17 foot fiberglass OB with trailer. Asking…………………………….....$500 

40 foot deadrise, “Catherine T”. Asking…………………………………………......$12,000 

1988 Butler Built 16 foot flat bottom skiff. Asking…………………………………..…. $50 

1970 Thunderbird 23 foot fiberglass boat with Mercury I/O 225 HP. Asking…... $2500 

WE ARE LOOKING FOR DONATIONS 

If you have a boat with clear title that you wish to donate to the museum please contact 

Clif Ames at 804-453-3506 or the museum at 804-453-6529. 

MUSEUM FLEET—The Somers is out of charter season 

and obviously not active. After it returned from the Urbanna 

Oyster Roast (where it entertained 150 - 200 

school kids on field trips), we opened the watertight 

hatches and started to set up for winter. Repairs and 

seasonal maintenance are being planned and the usual 

Christmas light display will be set up in mid December. 

The lighted crab pot will be set up for New Year's 

Eve. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! 

BOAT DONATIONS—Boat Donations committee has 

cleared grater than $15,000 for the museum this year. 

PHOTO GROUP—After a flurry of activity to publish our 

annual calendar featuring some of our images of the 

Northern Neck, we are please to announce that they are 

for sale in the Museum's gift shop. The members of the 

Photo Group wish to thank all those who have already 

made a purchase. We sincerely appreciate your support. 

The Photo Group meets the third Thursday of each 

month in the Butler House at 2:00 p.m. If you have an 

interest in photography, please join us 

MODEL SHOP—2007/2007 Holiday Season Is Undeway: 

Thanks to our eight regular Model Shop Committee 

members for dedicating their available time to an aggressive 

schedule of over 350 man-hours. Also, special 

thanks to those who have or will be pitching in who are 

not Model Shop Committee members or routine participants: 

Cal Boyd, Jack Christie, George Frayne, Donald 

George, Wendell Haynie, Linda Larue, and Claire Michie. 

Meanwhile, the trains are running smoothly, the 

facility looks great, and the “Railroad That Never Was 

Video” has been a modest success. 

Chesterfield County, Virginia. She has been a great asset 

in dealing with the Museum's financial systems and 

will be missed. 

Curator of Collections & Education, Jessica Waite, accepted 

a position with the Nebraska State Historical Society 

at the Gerald Ford Conservation Center in Omaha. 

Her last day was December 20. We wish her great success 

in her new position. With her goes our thanks for 

all of her work at the Museum. 

EDUCATION COMMITTEE—The fourth in the lecture 

series for this year featured Renate Muller, a local potter, 

who demonstrated throwing a piece on the potter's 

wheel and discussed glazing and firing a piece of pottery. 

This was the second in lectures featuring local artists 

and used the video equipment at Festival Halle to 

project the image of the artist at work on the large screen 

located on the stage. Dennis Dalpino operated the 

equipment. Some members of the education committee 

are working with George Frayne on the Jamestown exhibit. 

OFFICE STAFF CHANGES—Office Manager, Lynn 

Haddon has resigned from the Museum effective 30 December 

2007. Lynn is relocating from Whitestone to 

Visitors to the Gift Shop search for Holiday gifts. 


17th ANNUAL OYSTER ROAST 


CHRISTMAS ON COCKRELL’S CREEK... 

Santa Claus made his annual visit to Reedville aboard the Elva C., the Museum’s historic 

deck boat. Families greeted Santa’s arrival at the Museum dock, and joined him for breakfast 

at nearby Bethany United Methodist Church. 

Holiday Tablescapes on exhibit at the Fishermen’s Museum “Christmas on Cockrell’s 

Creek Home Tour”... Area decorators, designers, and flower arrangers shared their artistic 

vision and creative gift through a wide assortment of holiday table settings. 


HOME TOUR 

The Museum presented its nationally recognized holiday home tour. Sponsored by 

the Bank of Lancaster, the tour included two homes on Reedville’s historic Main Street 

and four homes on the scenic Great Wicomico River. The Museum’s trademark “Water 

Taxi Service” was available to ferry visitors to the river homes. All of the homes were 

beautifully decorated by the Chesapeake Bay Garden Club members. 


The 2007Jamestown Celebration Quilt , created 

by the RFM Quilters and a group of 

quilters in England, is complete. (The quilt project 

was described 

in the FALL 2007 

STARRY BAN- 

NER.) We have 

been in contact with 

the Director of 

Jamestown 2007 

and the Virginia 

Quilt Museum in 

Harrisonburg to investigate 

how the 

quilt could best be utilized in this important 

celebration for our state. In the process we 

were contacted by the curator for the Virginia 

portion of the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in 

2007. It seems that the designers at the Smithsonian 

Institution have fallen in love with the 

quilt! Apparently they wish to use the design 

elements of the quilt for the “graphic identity” of 

the 2007 Smithsonian Folklife Festival on the 

Mall in D.C. Of course we immediately gave 

permission, but only if the Reedville Fishermen’s 

Museum Quilters would be given credit 

for the design. Currently we’re waiting for further 

instructions. 

QUILTERS 

of Northern Virginia was the winner. She was 

most surprised when we called and invited her 

to the Second Annual Needle Art Show Opening 

Night on Friday, December 15 where she 

was presented the Crossed Canoes Quilt. 

The raffle quilt has been a fun project for the 

quilters who were aided by the Museum Docents 

in selling the raffle tickets. The raffle quilt 

brought in $1150.00 for the Museum. Thanks 

to everyone who helped. 

The quilters who created the Renoir Quilt and 

followed the quilt to Houston for the Annual 

Houston International Quilt Show returned 

without any further prizes but felt satisfied and 

happy with the experience of seeing their quilt 

hanging in Houston among the best quilts in 

the world. They are pictured here in front of the 

Renoir in Houston. 

Left to right: Tippie DeLeo, Elizabeth Schambers, 

Penny Mace, Shirley Galo, Dory Gossman, Jane 

Kimball, and Carol Kormen. 

December 10 at 5 P.M. the winning ticket for 

the Crossed Canoes Raffle Quilt was pulled by 

Martha Cousins as Chuck Backus held the 

ticket stub jar. With baited breath we waited for 

Chuck to announce the winner. Sara Hamilton 

A slide show of the Houston Quilts is planned 

for the first Friday in February. The slide show 

will be held in the church community room 

across the parking lot. Pop corn and M&Ms will 

be served. Everybody is welcome to join us. 

Tippie DeLeo 


IN MEMORIAM 

The Reedville Fishermen’s Museum offers deepest sympathy to the families 

and friends of these members and supporters. 

In Memory of Glenda Ames 

David & Joyce Abbot 

A Mark & Romaine Abramovic 

John & Sue Anbrose 

David Ames, John Ames, Jeffrey Ames and 

Kathryn Ames 

Diane B. Ames 

Harry C., Jr. & Jane S. Ames 

Barbara Barna 

Robert & Katie Berry 

Teryl D. & Theresa Bishop 

William Bowman, Sr. 

Judith H. Brahler 

Sarah Cody 

R. W. & Mary Cogley 

Fred & Carol Cole 

Timothy & Babette Cribbs 

William D. & Diane Crutchfield 

Bob & Cindy Cutlip 

Ed Cutlip 

Dennis D. & Barbara Dalton 

Patricia Del Villan 

Dr. &. Mrs. Richard A. Elko 

Donald & Jane George 

Edris G Gold 

Rodger Greimel 

Wendell & Anne Winters Haynie 

Aubrey J. & Martha Henry 

Ted & Lynn Hower 

J. Lance & Maryalyce Johnsen 

Bruce Klink 

Dennis & Marcelia Lamont 

William J. , Jr. and Donna Leonard 

Barbara McAleer 

Chris Miller 

James O. & Joan R. Moore 

Larry & Naomi Myrick 

Tom & B.J. Norris 

Paul & Susan Rosen 

William M. & Brenda P. Sebra 

John C. , Jr. & Donna Stasko 

Helen Sutphen 

Lawrence & Betty B. Taylor 

Thunderbird, the Garvin School of Int. Man. 

Tidewater Antique and Classic Boat Show 

Howard & Betty L. Williams 

In Memory of Captain Jefferson Carey 

Marian Carey Harding 

John H. Harding. Jr. 

In Memory of Carter LaPrade 

Judge Warren Eginton 

In Memory of Clarence Stanford 

Ellen Rawlings 

In Memory of John Fulton Lewis 

American Farm Publications, Inc 

Robert I. Covington 

John & Jeri Gallagher 

Robert Good & Deloris Kile 

Grau 


Jerry & Bonnie Haynie 

Ramona Hutton 

John & Rebecca Kile 

George & Benita Koman 

Jimmy and Iris Lee 

Julia Pritchard 

JoAnn Yeager Sallah 

David & Jan Shriver 

In Memory of Lillian Slaughter 

William T. Covington, Jr. 

Ammon Dutton, Jr. 



Waverly & Katherine Jones 

Wilbur & Anne Lawrence 


David & Jan Shriver 

In Memory of J. Ernest Lewis, Jr. 

Robert L. Covington 

Linwood T. Wells, III & Blair & Jack 

Charles & “Marty” Gilbert 



Waverly & Katherine Jones 


In Memory of Buck Slaughter 


Tom & Jude Kelly 

Betty Nuckols 

W. Taylor Slaughter 

In Memory of Charles J. Covington 

Fern Walker-Bernhardt 

Nancy H. Clark 

S. B. Cox, Inc. 

Donald & Jane George 


John L. Hughes 

Robert T. & Sharon Williams 


COCKTAILS 

ON THE CREEK 

Winter Hours: 

Alternate Fridays, 

5:00 to 7:00 p.m. 

One of the best ways to enjoy 

Friday evenings is to join friends for 

Cocktails on the Creek at the 

Museum. Remember to bring your 

“beverage” of choice -- the museum 

provides ice, sodas, and light 

snacks -- and by all means bring a 

snack to share if you care to, it is 

always much appreciated. Bring 

guests or a neighbor along to enjoy 

the evening. Check the enclosed 

Calendar for dates. 

This Publication is a membership benefit and is published quarterly. The editors 

encourage readers to submit information about programs, exhibitions, projects 

and other information desired. The SPRING 2007 deadline is March 10. 

Editors and Publishers: 

Tom Ryals tryals@crewone.com 

Rita Johnson pjrj@crosslink.net 

Photographer: 

Tom Ryals tryals@crewone.com 

Distribution: 

Clarice Williams 

Greater Reedville Association Inc./Reedville Fishermen’s Museum 

is a non-profit organization. 

Museum Office: (804) 453-6529 

FAX: (804) 453-7159 

Email: rfmstaff@crosslink.net 

Website: www.rfmuseum.org 

Museum: 504 Main Street, Reedville, VA 

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 306, Reedville, VA 

22539 

The 

is named for the first menhaden steamer to operate in 

Reedville. The steamer was purchased by Elijah Reed in 1880. Captain Reed, 

founder of Reedville, was a pioneer in the menhaden fishing industry. 

Presorted 

Standard U.S. 

Postage 

Paid Permit No. 6 

Reedville, Va. 

Reedville Fishermen's 

Museum 

P.O. Box 306 

Reedville, VA 22539 

Starry Banner WINTER 2007 

Printed by Lottsburg Printing Company

Reedville Fishermen's Museum - Reedville, Virginia

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