St. Michaels in Talbot County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Sharptown Barge

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), August 24, 2019

1. Sharptown Barge Marker

Inscription. Sharptown barges developed on the Nanticoke River to fish for shad. Shad runs were a staple of Chesapeake springs on the 18th and 19th centuries, and their importance to the colonial Chesapeake economy earned them the nickname "The Founding Fish." Shad fishing boats like the Sharptown barge were spacious for the large fish catches typical of the springtime shad runs.

"I've built about 200 of them, some in as little as two weeks. They were designed right here in Sharptown many years ago to be used for fishing for shad. They carry as much as a ton of fish easy, a ton of anything."

"I remember one day when we caught 360 pounds of roe shad on one tide with my dad."
—John Edward Goslee, boat builder, c. 1987

Built: 1979, Sharptown, MD by John Edward Goslee
Length: 22 ft, 2 in (6.77m)
Beam: 5 ft, 2 in (1.59m)

Erected by Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1987.

Location. 38° 47.275′ N, 76° 13.182′ W. Marker is in St. Michaels, Maryland, in

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Talbot County. Marker is on Mill Street just east of Burns Street, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 213 North Talbot Street, Saint Michaels MD 21663, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Bushwack Boat (here, next to this marker); Merry Widow (a few steps from this marker); Smith Island Crabbing Skiff (a few steps from this marker); Chesapeake Bay Small Craft (a few steps from this marker); St. Michaels Packing Company Warehouse (a few steps from this marker); Tolchester Beach Bandstand (within shouting distance of this marker); Kennedy M. Fitzgerald (within shouting distance of this marker); Fishing Shanty / Ark (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Michaels.

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), August 24, 2019

2. Sharptown Barge Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on August 26, 2019. It was originally submitted on August 26, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 243 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 26, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.