Elsworth (skipjack)

The Elsworth was a Chesapeake Bay skipjack built in 1901 by J.H. Coulbourne in Cambridge, Maryland. She is a two-sail bateau, a type of traditional oyster dredging boat unique to the Chesapeake Bay. Skipjacks, including the Elsworth, were designed to be affordable and maneuverable vessels used primarily for harvesting oysters. Their shallow drafts allowed them to operate in the Bay's shallow waters. The Elsworth, like many skipjacks, was originally powered by sail but was later equipped with an auxiliary engine, as regulations allowed for engine use except when dredging. She measures approximately 48 feet in length. The Elsworth is historically significant as one of the remaining examples of a once-numerous fleet of skipjacks that dredged oysters in the Chesapeake Bay. She is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, representing the maritime heritage of the region. Today, she serves as a reminder of the past oyster harvesting industry and the unique boatbuilding traditions of the Chesapeake Bay.