History

The “Bessie L” is the last Buyboat build by the last of the old time buyboat builders Edgar Jenkinns, deceased.

She is built of yellow pine on oak, a true deadrise, without plans in 1994.

Buyboats in General

-Buyboats have been around for over 100 years

-Were plentiful during 19th century

-Purpose was to purchase oysters directly from sailing workboats in Chesapeake Bay on fishing grounds and then carry the oysters to market to sell for a profit, often either Baltimore or Annapolis

-This saved the oyster fleet a long sail to market

-Buyboats were also used for crab dredging and to carry grain, watermelons, and other frieght off-season

-Sailing buyboats were used during the 1800’s and then motor vessels like Half Shell were used in the 1900’s

-Started out as modified pungy schooners or bugeyes

-Masts would be trimmed down, large engine installed, and wheelhouse added to deck

-Designed along schooner hull lines and most constructed with native southern yellow pine

-Production almost halted during Great Depression and not many were built after World War II

-Today, few are left

-Those remaining buyboats follow oyster tongers to buy their oysters

-In the spring, buyboats catch, haul, and plant seed oysters

-Transplanting young oysters to a new destination

-Seed oysters are planted at specific sites in the Chesapeake Bay to enhance oyster population

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