Reedville in Northumberland County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Trap Skiff

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), July 4, 2021

1. Trap Skiff Marker

Inscription. Boats of this type are used in the pound net industry. It is towed to the trap and one or several men use it to go inside the net that forms the pocket of the trap. Standing in this boat they pull the net up so that the fish are tightly contained. A dip net is then used to bail the fish from the net into the larger boat. A trap skiff is also used at the other times to maneuver around the trap and to make repairs. This particular boat was built in the 1950s for Captain Walter Biddlecomb of Fairport by George P. Butler of Reedville. It's somewhat wider and deeper than most 16 foot skiffs built during that period so that it could, if necessary, serve as a lifeboat for the fishing crew.

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

Location. 37° 50.607′ N, 76° 16.533′ W. Marker is in Reedville, Virginia, in Northumberland County. Marker can be reached from Main Street just south of Reed Avenue, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 504 Main St, Reedville VA 22539, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Drive Boat (here, next to this marker); Chesapeake Bay's Butler Boats (within shouting distance of this marker); The Reedville Railway

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Brass Propeller (within shouting distance of this marker); "The Save The Stack Committee" (within shouting distance of this marker); Chesapeake Bay Log Canoe (within shouting distance of this marker); Elva C (within shouting distance of this marker); Claud W. Somers (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Reedville.

The Pound Trap Skiff Exhibit image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), July 4, 2021

2. The Pound Trap Skiff Exhibit

Credits. This page was last revised on July 5, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 5, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 123 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 5, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.