| This is what was called a "Buy Boat."
(Used at the turn of the 19th century.) At one time the
dealers in Clams and Oysters took boats to the water to get an edge on the
other dealers without boats or time to do it. The Bayman would just
come alongside and sell his catch on spot. He then go to his anchorage
or dock and he was done for the day. It saved the "Tonger" from having to lug his catch to market.
The dealers got the catch earlier and probably cheaper than the dealers on
shore. -------Bill Carr
|
| There were several kinds of oyster boats. This type of
boat was called a "skipjack." A skipjack would come alongside the "buy
boat" to sell his catch. Probably most of the skipjacks were owned by
the Baymen themselves. Larger skipjacks were, and are still,
used in the Chesapeake. Note the tongers grappling at the bottom of
the bay for their catch. Some Baymen "pushed" down the Bay,
meaning they would stand up (in back) on the bow and push with the oars
instead of sitting down and pulling on the oars. -----------Bill Carr |