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| Oyster Harbor The early 1900's, the shore was a thriving place especially at the harbor towns along the seaside. The seafood industry was taking off, the farming produce leaving by boat and rail and the income brought in from the Barrier Islands with the sportsman clubs. Oyster and other smaller towns on the water were trying to get deeper water channels to be able to grow and accommodate larger vessels and in turn bring in more revenue for the town. In 1903 the people Oyster asked that the U.S. Corps. Of Engineers determine whether the channel could be dug and if the town would be benefited from the project. Assistant engineer C.A. Miner completed the report and published it in the Peninsula Enterprise paper on Saturday January 16, 1904 for the town and determined the future affects of the dredging. This is a brief summary of the report from the 1904 paper. The channel was already fifteen to eighteen feet deep and 400 to 800 feet wide. The dredging project would remove an additional six deep and 50-60 feet in width. The report stated there would be numerous beneficiaries, the oyster and fish industry would grow, it's said that clams and oysters are shipped to the nearest railroad in Cheriton at the rate of two to three carloads a week. This would enable oyster canning factories to open on site in the harbor area. Private interests also played a huge role, Messrs W. T. Travis and J.B. Williams own most of the land in Oyster, the store and surrounding farms. A dredging project would increase the wealth of these gentlemen and enhance the monopoly they held on the settlement. During the hunting season of fall and winter, the barriers islands are frequently traveled from these smaller harbors. The hotel where all these sportsmen stay is owned by W.T. Travis and this also would add to his fortune. Therefore, the report concluded that the Oyster Harbor and channel dredging project would doubtlessly result in conveniences for the watermen; especially those in the oyster and clamming business which would help get them to the market faster. With these improvements the financial benefits would be huge but would only be enjoyed by the two private individuals that presently have a monopoly on the town. The report did not justify a dredging improvement project for Oyster Harbor. |
Notes: HomeOfficial Trail Guide Web Site The Other Historic Site Guides: Historic Site Guide Central Eastern Shore - Wallop's Island to QuinbyHistoric Site Guide North Accomack - Chincoteague and Assateague Islands
The Trail was developed by the Accomack -
Northampton Planning District Commission in cooperation with Accomack County,
Northampton County, the Town of Chincoteague, the Town of Wachapreague, the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and
the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program. It is a project of Virginia's Seaside Heritage Program,
a multi-year effort to restore living resources and promote sustainable ecotourism
on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. |
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