Eastport in Annapolis in Anne Arundel County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Cap'n Herbie Sadler
The Legacy of an Eastport Waterman
Herbert Edgar Sadler was born to a waterman's family in 1902. He began learning the trade at the age of 12, earning a penny for each fish he cleaned for a local seafood vendor. His experience led to a life's work on the water.
Cap'n Sadler opened "Herbie's Crab Shack" in 1928 on the site of a former boat yard located on Spa Creek, about six blocks west of here.
The business expanded in 1960, becoming known as "Sadler's Seafood." Meanwhile, he also owned the last remaining marine railway in Eastport, providing the vital service of hauling boats out of the water for annual maintenance and repairs.
Cap'n Sadler used his knowledge of the Bay and his business savy to become an anchor in the local seafood industry. He earned the respect of fellow watermen and neighbors alike, and left a lasting impact on the Eastport community.
"Herbie loved his family and his work," recalled Herbie's widow, the former Gladys Davidson, after his death in 1975. "He was born on the water. There were many children in Eastport, now adults who learned much from Herbie.
This park is dedicated to his memory.
[Image captions:]
Mending nets and keeping up his boats are a vital part of a waterman's life. "Waterman" is the local term for one who earns a living on the Bay harvesting seafood.
Little HES, on display in this shed, was used for crabbing. "HES" are Cap'n Saddler's initials.
Cap'n Sadler and his wood-fired crab steamer at Herbie's Crab Shack.
Sadler's Seeafood & Marine Railway on the Spa Creek end of Third Street.
Erected by Annapolis Maritime Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1902.
Location. 38° 58.158′ N, 76° 28.588′ W. Marker is in Annapolis, Maryland, in Anne Arundel County. It is in Eastport. Marker can be reached from Bay Shore Avenue east of 2nd Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 129 Bay Shore Avenue, Annapolis MD 21403, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Harvesting the Bay (here, next to this marker); Deadrise Defined (a few steps from this marker); Skipjack Lydia D (a few steps from this marker); Bay Workboats (within shouting distance of this
Regarding Cap'n Herbie Sadler. "savy" appears; it is misspelling of "savvy"
Credits. This page was last revised on September 13, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 11, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 284 times since then and 85 times this year. Last updated on April 5, 2021, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 11, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.