Nellie Crockett facts for kids
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Nellie Crockett
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 Location in Maryland
Location in the United States
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| Location | Georgetown, Maryland |
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| Built | 1926 |
| Architect | Dana, Charles A. |
| NRHP reference No. | 94001185 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | April 19, 1994 |
| Designated NHL | April 19, 1994 |
The Nellie Crockett is a special boat from the Chesapeake Bay. It was built in 1925 for Andrew A. Crockett of Tangier, Virginia. This boat is known as an oyster buy-boat. Its job was to travel around the Chesapeake Bay and buy oysters directly from fishermen.
The Nellie Crockett is located in Georgetown, Maryland, USA. Because it is a very important example of its kind, it was named a National Historic Landmark in 1994. This means it's a historic place recognized by the United States government.
The Nellie Crockett was made specifically to be a buy-boat. It would visit oyster beds and purchase oysters from harvesters. These harvesters often used sail-powered boats called skipjacks or small boats for oyster tonging. This system allowed the oyster fishermen to stay on the water longer. They didn't have to go back to port every time their boats were full. Buy-boats usually paid a bit less than selling at a dock. But most oystermen thought it was worth it to save time. The Nellie Crockett is one of the best-kept examples of these types of boats.
Contents
Boat Design and Features
The Nellie Crockett is a wooden freightboat. It is about 61.6 ft (18.8 m) long, 20.33 ft (6.20 m) wide, and 6.42 ft (1.96 m) deep in the water. It weighs 52 tons. Its wide shape and shallow depth were perfect for moving oysters in the not-so-deep waters of the Chesapeake Bay.
The boat's body is made from wood frames. These frames come from the natural curves of tree limbs and roots. The outside is covered with thick pine planks. The deck is also made of wood planks. A wall inside the front part of the boat helps keep water out.
Engine and Tanks
Today, the boat uses a Detroit Diesel engine. This engine was put in around 1971 or 1972. It gets its fuel from two large steel tanks, each holding about 150 US gallons. There is also a 90 US gallon (340 L) water tank on board.
Deck and Mast
The middle of the deck has a very large opening. This opening is about 25 by 13.5 ft (7.6 by 4.1 m). It is where the oysters were loaded into the boat's hold. A tall mast stands just in front of this opening. It is about 41 ft (12 m) high.
When the mast was replaced in the 1950s, people found a 1956 quarter and a 1951 nickel under it. This was a traditional custom for good luck. The mast has two arms at its base. These arms were used to lift and move cargo. A smaller opening at the front of the boat leads to the crew's sleeping area. A low railing runs along the sides of the boat.
Pilot House and Living Areas
The pilot house is where the boat is steered. It is shaped like a rectangle with a rounded front. It is about 20.42 ft (6.22 m) long and 8.42 ft (2.57 m) wide. The outside is covered with vertical wooden planks.
The pilot house has three sections. The front section is the wheel room. This is where the steering wheel is located. It has five windows at the front and two on each side. There are also doors on both sides. A heater is at the back of this room. A hatch in the floor lets you get to the engine.
Behind the wheel room is the bunk room, which is a bit lower. It is about 6.5 ft (2.0 m) long. It has three beds on one side and a shower on the other. There is a small round window for the top bed. Behind the bunk room is the kitchen, which is about 4 ft (1.2 m) long. It has a window on each side and a door at the back. Two more beds are located in the very front part of the boat.
The Nellie Crockett is mostly the same as when it was built. A radar unit was added, and a few small changes were made. The large hold was not used for oysters later on because it was considered too smelly. Instead, oysters were kept on deck in baskets. The boat could carry as many as 2,200 bushels of oysters at once!
History of the Nellie Crockett
The Nellie Crockett was built in 1925 by Charles A. Dana. It was made in Crisfield, Maryland, for Andrew A. "Shad" Crockett of Tangier, Virginia. The boat was named after one of Crockett's daughters.
Early Years and War Service
Until 1942, Andrew Crockett used the boat to carry oysters during oyster season. In other seasons, it carried farm produce and lumber. In 1942, the U.S. War Shipping Administration bought the boat for $6,000. It was used as a fireboat in ports along the Chesapeake Bay during World War II. It was called CG-65015F during this time.
After the war ended in 1945, Andrew Crockett bought his boat back for only $10! In 1946, he sold parts of the boat to William Smith and Charles M. Crockett for a total of $750. The boat's original 45-horsepower engine was replaced with a stronger 60-horsepower one. On Christmas Eve 1947, Andrew Crockett gave his share of the boat to Priscilla Crockett for just one dollar.
Later Owners and Continued Use
In 1950, the boat was sold to Gus Forbush. He put in an even more powerful 165-horsepower engine. Then, it was sold to Gilbert Ashley, who moved it to Baltimore. But in 1952, it was sold again to J. Harry Porter and Harry B. Porter of Baltimore. They moved it back to Crisfield.
In 1957, the Porters sold the Nellie Crockett to James H. Ward, Sr. and William H. Ward of Reedville, Virginia. William sold his share to James in 1966. James Ward continued to use the Nellie Crockett as a buy-boat until he passed away in 1986. His family members kept operating the boat until 1990.
After that, Theodore L. Parish of Georgetown bought the boat. The Nellie Crockett was still owned by Parish and visiting ports in the Chesapeake Bay and North Carolina, like Oriental, as recently as 2016. It even attended special gatherings for buy-boats!
