Scenic USA - Virginia

Chesapeake Watermen

Scenic USA on Facebook

Scenic USA
on Facebook


Home Archives Previous Next

Chesapeake Watermen - Virginia Beach, Virginia
Photos by Ben Prepelka
Ben Prepelka Photography

   Watermen have crabbed and fished the immense Chesapeake Bay waters for hundreds of years. Watermen, an old English name, are as much as an endangered species as the shellfish they seek in the Chesapeake Bay. While industry rules have changed, most of the watermen's old trapping and fishing methods are still used today. Because of the new laws on the books, watermen have resorted to sail Bayside View and Freighter - Virginia Beach, Virginia power to dredge for oysters.
   Chesapeake, a Native American name meaning the Great Shellfish Bay, is America's largest estuary, stretching out for 200 miles. Offering an idea of how large a body of water it is, the bay separates Maryland's mainland from the Delmarva Peninsula by 22 miles and has 11,684 miles of shoreline. The main channel is deep enough to allow ocean-going vessels to navigate the bay. One of the seven engineering wonders of the modern world, a combination of bridges and tunnels are used to connect the mainland with the peninsula.
   This view shows off a waterman's catch back at Bubba's dock, while the watermen wait for weigh-in. It's midday and a day's work on the bay is already done.

     Area Map
    


  • First Landing State Park
  • Old Cape Henry Lighthouse
  • Norfolk Botanical Garden
  • Chrysler Museum of Art
  • USS Wisconsin
  • Virginia Beach Boardwalk
  • Virginia Aquarium
  • Military Aviation Museum
  • Old Point Comfort Light
  • Scenic USA Prints from
    Fine Art America

    Art Prints


     

        Copyright © 2020 Benjamin Prepelka
        All Rights Reserved