Tangier Island
Where waterman have lived and worked for 350 years!

~ ~ Click thumbnail pics to see full size ~ ~

A plaque recounting a brief history of the site, only a couple miles long . . . part marsh, part homes, and only about 4 cars on the whole island.

   Oystering and blue crabs are the watermen's way of livelihood...
Each family has its own dock, complete with supply shack, and "shedding beds", where families watch crabs 24 hours a day. Within 2 hours of shedding their shells, crab are gathered up to be sold as the prized "softshell crab" of Chesapeake fame!

A closer view of one of the larger operations...there are dozens on "stilt islands" close by the main island docks

Typical waterman's boat, crab pots piled high on the docks

Near the main island dock...center of mail, supply and diesel fuel for their boats.



NEXT: Our Outer Banks



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July 4, 1998 ©  Tim&Karen