South Murderkill Hundred in Frederica in Kent County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

20 Tooth Oyster Dredge

Photographed by Pete Skillman, October 5, 2026

1. 20 Tooth Oyster Dredge Marker

Inscription. When dredging for oysters, two dredges were dragged from a schooner, one on each side. To dredge efficiently, an oysterman needed a sturdy vessel and able crew, a cook, and well-wrought dredges. Originally the crew would lower and raise the dredges with a hand crank, but later winder engines were used. The schooner pulled the dredges which scraped oysters off the bottom of the bay. Dredging required considerable skill, and an improperly used dredge could kill or injure oysters. The crew would cull or sort the catch and would throw back oysters that were too small, as well as any shell material that could serve as cultch (the mass of stones, broken shells, and grit of which an oyster bed is formed).

Erected by Bowers Maritime Museum.

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

Location. 39° 3.582′ N, 75° 24.129′ W. Marker is in Frederica, Delaware, in Kent County. It is in South Murderkill Hundred. It is on Main Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

address: 3357 Main St, Frederica DE 19946, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Mid-Atlantic,

on the Delmarva Peninsula,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Bowers Beach Maritime Museum (here, next to this marker); Town of Bowers (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Kitts Hummock (approx. 3 miles away); St. Jones Neck (approx. 3.6 miles away); The St. Jones River: Why the Mansion Faces South (approx. 3.8 miles away); The Dickinsons in Delaware (approx. 3.9 miles away); Toward a Future Union (approx. 3.9 miles away); Barratt's Chapel (approx. 3.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Frederica.

Also see . . . Bowers Beach Maritime Museum. Website of the museum where this marker

20 Tooth Oyster Dredge Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Pete Skillman, October 5, 2026

2. 20 Tooth Oyster Dredge Marker - wide view

is located. (Submitted on October 5, 2026, by Pete Skillman of Wilmington, Delaware.)

Credits. This page was last revised on October 5, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 5, 2026, by Pete Skillman of Wilmington, Delaware. This page has been viewed 7 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 5, 2026, by Pete Skillman of Wilmington, Delaware.