Solomons in Calvert County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Chaney Rail Skiff

16'7" × 3'4" × 1'

— Flat Bottom —

Chaney Rail Skiff Marker image. Click for full size.

By Devry Becker Jones, August 30, 2019

1. Chaney Rail Skiff Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Rail skiffs were used almost exclusively for hunting rail birds in season in the early autumn. The marshes of the upper Patuxent River were once one of the most well known hunting grounds in the mid-Atlantic region. In use, a gunner stood in front, straddling a seat. A "pusher," hired by the sportsman, pushed the skiff through the marsh at high high water using a long, three-pronged pushpole. This skiff was built in 1943-44 by William Ernest Chaney at Dunkirk, Maryland. He was a farmer, carpenter, and bricklayer, who used his skiff for hunting railbirds in season.

Erected by Calvert Marine Museum.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 38° 19.891′ N, 76° 27.842′ W. Marker is in Solomons, Maryland, in Calvert County. Marker can be reached from Solomons Island Road South (Maryland Route 2) south of Thomas Johnson Road, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 14200 Solomons Island Road South, Solomons MD 20688, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance

By Devry Becker Jones, August 30, 2019

2. Chaney Rail Skiff Marker

of this marker. Menace on the Horizon (here, next to this marker); Whittington Rail Skiff (here, next to this marker); Yawl Boat (here, next to this marker); Marine Railway Gears (here, next to this marker); Crab Skiff Pep (Reproduction) (a few steps from this marker); Hooper Island Launch Penguin (a few steps from this marker); Jenkins Creek Crab Scrape Geda (a few steps from this marker); Humphreys Rowing Skiff (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Solomons.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 31, 2019. It was originally submitted on August 31, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 63 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 31, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.