2015 JANUARY CLASSIC SAILBOAT OF THE MONTH

William Sidney Covington “Island Blossom”
 
Historical:

Island Blossom is one of the last 22 surviving traditional Chesapeake Bay racing log canoes that carry on a tradition of racing on the Eastern Shore of Maryland . These vessels are of great historic significance because they are the sole active survivors of a vessel type indigenous to the Chesapeake region from the earliest days of its settlement

The Olde and New Worlds.

The aboriginal dugout canoe, so essential to life on the Chesapeake Bay for travel, harvest and trade, were the forefathers that were led to its adoption by 17th century European colonists using imported tools and technology.

Increasing world demand for the Chesapeake’s bounty of tobacco, fish and oysters led to a need for larger and faster work boats. By the mid-1800s, the addition of a keel, a tiny cabin,and side decks to a five-log hull resulted in a brogan,which moved this work boat beyond the definition of canoe.

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The race was on to develop the swiftest sailing vessels. Over 6,300 sailing canoes were working the shores of the bay by the 1880s

“They were your family pickup truck”

William Sidney Covington, was the builder of the famed “Island” group of log canoes–the Island Bird, Island Bride, Island Belle, Island Beauty, and Island Blossom.

Island Blossom along with Island Bird are the only members of the original five-canoe group to survive. The Blossom was constructed to the order of William H. Myers, Sr. of Oxford who had her logs cut from a tract of woodland near Trappe and floated to Tilghman Island.

In the 1920s Island Blossom was sold to Stanley Evans of Elkton who only occasionally raced her. In 1952 she was purchased by John C. North, great grandson of the original builder, and brought back to Talbot County. Her hull was in good condition but she needed new spars and sails.

 

Between seasons the log canoes were raced along the shores of St. Michaels, Oxford, Cambridge, and many other shore towns. The races were highly publicized, often 50 boats would gather at the starting lines. It wasn’t unusual to see 5,000 spectators gather to see the races. The rules of racing were based on the over-all length of the boat. There were no limits on the amount of sail or crew each boat carried. Unballasted, some of the boats, when the mast were stepped, had at least a half a dozen men in the boats to prevent capsizing.

In the day it was the Eastern Shore against the Western Shore, Island Blossom versus the William V. Wilson. Island Blossom capsized during the race, relinquishing a mile lead to the Wilson before Blossom would be sailing again, but with her speed the Blossom would go on to win the race. It was said that a great many dollars changed hands after the race was over!

Island Blossom has won the Governor’s Cup and Covington trophies many times in the course of her racing career. Today she is sailed by Corbin Penwell. Corbin has sailed her to the season championship 4 times and if he does it again this year, it would be a record (and retire the trophy).The sails are cut by John Jenkins of Jenkins Sails. and John currently builds the sails for most of the fleet.

William Sidney Covington “Island Blossom” Specifications:

“Length and Width is all that Matters”

LOA: 32′ 7″ / 9.75m * Beam: 6′ 7″ / 2.04m * Draft: * Ballast: No Ballast * Displacement: * Sail Area: * Hull material: * Rig: * Built by: William Sidney Covington, Tilghmans Island, MD * Year Launched: 1892 * Restored By: * Current Name: Island Blossom * Original Owner: William H. Myers, Sr * Current Owner: North Family Trust * Sail Number: 9

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