Howard (skipjack)

Howard was a Chesapeake Bay skipjack, built in 1903 in Pocomoke City, Maryland. She was one of the oldest skipjacks in the Maryland fleet and a designated National Historic Landmark. Howard participated in the annual skipjack races, often placing highly due to her skilled captains and well-maintained condition. For decades, she dredged for oysters under sail power during the regulated oyster harvesting season, adhering to the tradition and legal requirements designed to protect the oyster beds. After many years of service, Howard was eventually retired and placed on display, serving as a valuable example of a skipjack and its contribution to the Chesapeake Bay's maritime history and culture. The skipjack was named after a member of the family who originally commissioned the boat.