Accolades given to ‘F.D. Crockett’ volunteers
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| Vera England and Alberta Flowers swing the champagne bottle to christen the “F.D. Crockett” on Saturday at Deltaville Boatyard. Flowers is the granddaughter of F.D. Crockett. (Photo by Tom Chillemi) |
by Raynell Smith
Deltaville Maritime Museum Director
A beautiful day greeted the 100 or so guests who attended the dedication and re-christening of the “F.D. Crockett” at Deltaville Boatyard on Saturday, May 7.
A resplendent Crockett floated five feet from the podium while friends and family spoke passionately about her rebirth.
Bob Kates, current president of the Deltaville Maritime Museum, thanked those responsible for bringing the project to the attention of the museum over five years ago; Ron Turner, who donated the boat; and Kaptain Krunch and John England for insisting that the restoration of the F.D. Crockett was a worthy project.
In particular, Kates wanted to recognize the services of John England as the Crockett’s project manager, and the “Crocketteers,” the band of volunteers devoted to completing the restoration. Literally thousands of volunteer hours were spent on this million-dollar reconstruction.
Kates also thanked Delta-ville Boatyard, Keith Ruse, Matt Holloway and their crew, and Chesapeake Ma-rine Railway headed up by Jon Farinholt for their support.
England thanked the Crocketteers individually. Fred Jones, Gordon Gibb, John McQueen, Don Burnett and Chuck McGhinnis have been a part of the project since the beginning. Sadly, Don Talbott, an original Crocketteer, did not live to see the restoration completed, but his widow, Rose, has remained a staunch supporter.
England also expressed his gratitude to the families of the original builders and owners—the Gaines, Smith, Crockett and Green families. He also dedicated the restoration to the boatbuilders and the watermen of the bay and to the families who preserve their history.
Before the re-christening, Betty Green Radwan spoke of the Crockett and Green families’ great affection for the F.D Crockett. Her uncle, “Pretty” (because he was so handsome) Green, was captain of the boat for 50 years. With it he supported himself, his sister, and his invalid brother-in-law who owned the boat. “Pretty” took wonderful care of the boat, and when he died his family had a picture of the boat etched on his gravestone.
For Radwan and Alberta Flowers, F.D. Crockett’s granddaughter, the boat was a playhouse they sought out as children. For their mothers, the Crockett was their means to shop and, when it came time to move, their moving van. When the Crockett finally left Chisman’s Creek where she was berthed for so many years, Radwan said the boat was missed as if a member of the family had passed on.
Bill Hight, speaking as the founder of the Chesapeake Bay Buyboat Association, complimented the museum and England for undertaking and completing a project of such importance to the buyboat community. Hight noted that the Crockett is one of only three large log boats left in the world, the other two being “Old Point” at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, and “Tennyson” at the Calvert Museum—both in Maryland.
Hight then issued a challenge to the audience. Now that the F.D. Crockett has been returned to a useful life, he said, “It is our duty to see that she is used well and always maintained. This is a beginning for the Crockett.”
Finally, Delegate Harvey Morgan, a long supporter of museum projects, complimented the organization on the completion of the Crockett restoration. He said he looked forward to the Crockett beginning a new career as a means of educating visitors about the history and ecology of the Bay.
Del. Morgan encouraged the audience to purchase personalized Chesapeake Bay license plates, a program he created years ago. He noted that a grant from funds raised by the purchase of these plates has been awarded to the Crockett to conduct educational programs. Del. Morgan closed with a prayer for a long and productive life for the Crockett.
Vera England and Alberta Flowers then stepped up and cracked a bottle of champagne over the bow of the F.D. Crockett, re-christening her. The audience rose to their feet and made a champagne toast to the 87-year-old buyboat and to the group of volunteers who saved her.
For current information about the Crockett, call 776-7200 to become a museum member and receive continuous updates.
