CAMBRIDGE — “We are gathered here 30 years later to remember those whose vision, dedication and hard work created this boat,” Dorchester Skipjack Committee board member David Rose said. Rose spoke to the crowd assembled on the morning of July 4 at Long Wharf.
Kicking off the rechristening event, Rose first, in period costume, read from the Declaration of Independence.
“It’s really about a special place that we call home... and celebrating the boat... how we lived here and how we live now, and how grateful we are to have such a beautiful place,” said Pat Johnson, president of the Dorchester Skipjack Committee.
In recognition of the notable skipjack Nathan, the rechristening on this July 4, was done by “members of the Nathan family, whose foundation helped fund the construction of this boat and whose generous support for the past 30 years have made this day possible,” Rose said.
Lending his support, Sen. Johnny Mautz (R-Caroline, Dorchester, Talbot, Wicomico) presented a citation from the Maryland Senate to Skipjack Nathan of Dorchester.
He told the crowd, “We’re celebrating the 30th anniversary of Nathan Skipjack on Independence Day, and we look at the Eastern Shore and our heritage and what skipjacks and what the commercial seafood industry means to the shore. It signifies so much that built our independence and our strengths.”
Presenting Johnson with a commendation and a flag that has been flown over the U.S. Capital on behalf of Congressman Andy Harris in honor of the Skipjack Nathan, was Dorchester County Council Vice President Mike Detmer. “The Nathan is so emblematic, not just of the past of this very area, but of so many livelihoods that have been made right in this water,” Detmer said.
The Nathan is an authentic Chesapeake Bay oyster dredge boat who carries passengers and shares the maritime history of skipjacks and the ecology of oysters.
For more information or to book a tour, visit skipjack-nathan.org.
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