[sandybill2]

In 1986, I went "drudging for orsters"--(dredging for oysters) aboard the Skipjack Sigsbee with Capt. Wade H. Murphy. The Sigsbee was built in 1901 and Capt Murphy had owned her in the past but his Skipjack, The Rebecca T. Ruark (oldest skipjack in existence now- built in 1886) was undergoing repair in Deltaville, Va., and he had borrowed the Sigsbee to "drudge" that day. We have an adventure loving friend who had talked to Capt. Murphy and we were invited to join him and his crew on a very cold November Saturday morning. We (myself, my husband, friend and his girlfriend) left Richmond, Va., after work on Friday evening--got to our motel in Tilghman Island, Md around 1:00 am.--had to be up and on the boat at 4:00 am-- My husband and friend actually helped cull the oysters, and even drove the boat. Capt. Murphy seemed at ease letting them do so--even when they grazed a floating buoy in the darkness!!!! He was down in the small cabin entertaining us ladies. When you "drudge" you do so under sail. Our reward for the day--in addition to a once in a life-time experience---was a bucket of fresh oysters. John Barber spent time with Capt. Murphy and has prints of the Sigsbee and also the Rebecca Ruark. If you are ever in Tilghman Island, I think Capt. Murphy is taking passengers out on the Rebecca Ruark for a sailing experience. (I added a few photos if anyone is interested--just go to albums.)