CBMM Catalog Number
1975.0025.0001.00
Catalog entry is here.
Description & History
Exhibit Sign
Hooper’s Island waterman Gorman Simmons used this swift, efficient skiff to trotline for crabs. The slow-turning, one-cylinder Falcon engine was all a waterman needed to move slowly along his line, watching for crabs to rise to the surface and then grabbing them with a dip net.
Making do with found materials, Simmons resourcefully fashioned the gas tank from a five-inch naval gunpowder canister that floated up on Hoopers Island from the naval gunnery range on Bloodsworth Island.
Built: c. 1923, Smith Island, MD
Length: 21 ft (6.4 m)
Beam: 5ft (1.5m)
From CBMM Archival Records
The vessel was donated to CBMM by Buster Creighton through Dr. Harry Walsh. Harry Walsh is the author of the acclaimed ‘Outlaw Gunner’ and donated numerous other waterfowling craft to the museum in the ‘70s.
The vessel originally had a one-cylinder Falcon engine which in 1984 was replaced with a one cylinder Regal gasoline engine dating to 1920.
Hooper Island waterman Gorman Simmons purchased the vessel from a man in Wingate who acquired the vessel from Smith Island. The skiff was used for trotlining in the summers and for fall and winter tonging.
Like the other two Smith Island Skiffs that we have just completed, the vessel has no chine log or keel batten and has a fore and aft planked shallow v-bottom. This vessel has frames offset from the floor timbers like 72-31-1 and unlike 07-7-1 which has frames half- lapped into the floors.
This vessel has been painted at least twice since in the care of CBMM. The skiff has also received some restoration work notably with a replacement of the coaming, sole boards, and engine.
Historic Photos
Smith Island power crabbing skiff, c. 1952 by Constance Stuart Larrabee.
Marine Engine
Catalog No.: 1983.0018.0001.00
Maker : United States Motors Corp
Date Made : Range, 01/01/1930 – 12/31/1949
Description :
MARINE ENGINE,GASOLINE, STATIONARY, MANUFACTURED BY UNITED STATES MOTOR CORPORATION OF OSHKOSH, WISCONSIN. MODEL OK-1, SERIAL# 75068. SINGLE CYLINDER WITH CARBURATOR. MODEL T FORD PISTON AND CONNECTING ROD. IGNITION TIME IS CUNO (MODEL T FORD TYPEIGNITION COIL). SPLASH LUBRICATION. 3.75″ BORE. REMOVABLE CYLINDER HEAD. C.WWII. Materials: STEEL,BRASS Colors: BLUE Place Made: OSHKOSH, WI Negative #: N2014 R1
Gift of James A Rideout
Original Falcon engine on left, c. 1930 USM Corp. engine on right.
Conservation Plan
We are to take a conservative preservation oriented approach, however should any materials be deemed to be structurally compromised we will consider complete replacement in certain cases as this has been the standard of care for a vessel which falls into the conservation category of Restoration- Dry Storage. Please Reference section 2 chapter 3 of the Vessel Conservation Policy.
- Document
- Remove gear and materials to expose bottom planking
- Label and store removed materials such as the rudder, rudder yolk, sole boards
- Remove engine
- Fasten engine to plywood base and saw horses for work
- Document vessel before cleaning and painting
- Relocate vessel to porch
- Clean vessel and associated gear thoroughly
- Assess for repairs and stabilization work- some frames have been identified as needing stabilization or replacement
- Begin prep for interior paint
- Prep gear for painting
- Assess work on engine with curatorial staff
- Ultimately all associated gear aside from the barrels will be painted- engine work pending
- Clean and paint cradle
- Install new foam for cradle