Edna E. Lockwood facts for kids
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Edna E. Lockwood (Chesapeake Bay bugeye)
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 Location in Maryland
Location in the United States
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| Location | St. Michaels, Maryland |
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| Built | 1889 |
| Architect | John B. Harrison |
| NRHP reference No. | 86000258 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | February 13, 1986 |
| Designated NHL | April 19, 1994 |
The Edna E. Lockwood is a very special boat from the Chesapeake Bay. It's a type of boat called a bugeye. This boat is the last one of its kind that was used for working. Specifically, it was an oyster boat.
Today, you can find the Edna E. Lockwood at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in Saint Michaels, Maryland. It was built a long time ago, in 1889, by John B. Harrison. The boat was made from nine large logs, similar to smaller log canoes. It cost $2,200 to build back then.
The Edna E. Lockwood worked as an oyster boat for many years. It had at least seven different owners between 1899 and 1967. After that, it was used as a yacht for fun. In 1973, it was given to the museum. The museum worked hard to restore the boat from 1975 to 1979. They made it look like it did in 1910, including a special "patent stern." This boat is important because it's the last bugeye that still looks and sails like a working boat from its time.
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The Edna E. Lockwood: A Historic Chesapeake Bay Bugeye
The Edna E. Lockwood is a famous National Historic Landmark. It is known for its unique design and long history. This boat helps us understand how people lived and worked on the Chesapeake Bay many years ago.
Building a Bugeye: The Story of the Lockwood
John B. Harrison was a boat builder. The Lockwood was the seventh bugeye he built. He was only 24 years old when he created this boat. It was launched on October 5, 1889, for its first owner, Daniel W. Haddaway.
Haddaway used the Lockwood to dredge for oysters. He worked from Tilghman Island, Maryland. In 1892, he sold the boat to James A. Roe and Richard T. Richardson. Later, the boat had other owners, like John F. Tall. Tall added a "patent stern" and new steering gear.
Life as an Oyster Boat: Working on the Bay
From 1910, the Lockwood was based in Baltimore. It would oyster in the winter months. In the summer, it carried farm produce from the Eastern Shore of Maryland to Baltimore. This shows how versatile these boats were.
The boat changed hands several times over the years. J. Hilleary Wingate owned it for a long time, until 1955. The last owner to use it for dredging was John Robin Kimberly in 1966 and 1967. Kimberly then generously donated the boat to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in 1973.
What Makes the Lockwood Special: Its Design
The Edna E. Lockwood has a very special design. Its bottom is made from nine original logs. These logs came from pitch pine trees grown nearby. The main log is about 6 inches (15 cm) thick. The other logs get thinner towards the sides.
How the Lockwood Was Built
The logs are held together with strong wrought iron bolts. The boat has a rounded bottom, which comes from the original log canoe design. A "patent stern" was added to make the back deck wider. Above the logs, there are oak frames and planks. These add height to the boat's sides, called freeboard.
The Lockwood also has a centerboard. This is a movable fin that helps the boat sail better into the wind. It can be pulled up to keep the boat in shallow water. The deck is made of fir wood. There are two main openings: a large hatch in the middle and a small cabin at the back.
Sails and Masts: Powering the Bugeye
The Lockwood has two tall masts, which are like poles. They are made from pine trees. The front mast is about 50 feet (15 meters) high. The back mast is a bit shorter, about 46 feet (14 meters) high.
These masts lean back at a steep angle, about 15 degrees. This traditional design helps the boat sail well in different conditions. It also allowed the mast to be used like a crane to unload cargo. The Lockwood uses triangular sails called "leg of mutton" sails. It also has a jib sail at the front.
Bringing the Lockwood Back to Life: Restoration Efforts
When the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum received the Lockwood in 1973, it was in poor condition. It was almost sinking! A big restoration project began in 1975. It took four years and was finished in 1979.
Maynard Lowery led the restoration work. They made some parts of the boat stronger than they were originally. This helped ensure the Lockwood would last for many more years.
In 1994, the Lockwood was recognized as a National Historic Landmark. This means it's a very important part of American history. The boat is still kept in sailing condition today. It often sails on the Chesapeake Bay for special events, letting people see this historic vessel in action. The reason for its name, Edna E. Lockwood, is still a mystery!
Images for kids
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Stern of the Lockwood showing the patent stern, deckhouse and steering gear
See also
