Mildred Belle's History
Mildred Belle is a boat for students
to explore the history and economics of the Port of Baltimore and the Chesapeake
Bay while investigating the ecology of the Chesapeake Bay region. The Living Classroom
Foundation's Mildred Belle gives students a hands-on adventure operating
this traditional Chesapeake Bay workboat.
Mildred Belle was built in 1948 in Odd, VA and has enjoyed a lively history
around the Chesapeake Bay. Her first owner, Capt. Garland "Porgy" Evans, used
it for many different purposes.
Originally fitted with nets, Mildred Belle spent her first five years trawl
fishing off Cape Henry at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. She returned home to
Messick Point each night with a typical catch of flounder, trout and croaker to
sell to the local markets.
Capt. Evans often brought his daughters, Mildred Lee and Hattie Belle on his expeditions.
Porgy's grandson, John "Sonny" Hanson, was born the same year Mildred Belle
was built and began to accompany his grandfather on board at the early age of
two. Sonny was practically an "old hand" by the time he was eight years old as
he helped crew aboard whenever he could especially when school was out each
summer.
In the early 1950's, Capt. Evans began to take passengers fifty miles offshore
out in the Atlantic Ocean to fish for marlin, tuna and swordfish. Mildred Belle
was the first Chesapeake Bay workboat to head South off the North Carolina Coast
on deep-sea sport fishing charters (trips paid for by the passengers).
On many summer evenings, Mildred Belle would leave Messick Point just before
dusk and head 50 to 120 miles offshore on a fishing adventure. On board would
be Capt. Evans, Sonny, their dog, Meg (she went out on every trip), and six paying
passengers with fishing rods. Twenty-four hours later, all hands would return
to Messick Point sometimes laden with prize-winning catches; sometimes with nothing
to show for their efforts but calluses on their hands and the memories of a fun
adventure at sea.
For 21 years Capt. Porgy Evans worked Mildred Belle year round changing
his work according to the seasons. Each summer he went deep sea or trawl fishing.
In fall, Mildred Belle was loaded with young seed oysters that were "transplanted"
to a different oyster bar to grow. When winter came, Mildred Belle dredged
for crabs in Virginia waters of the Chesapeake Bay where this is legal.
During this period, Mildred Belle earned Capt. Evans a nice living. The
work was hard and Mildred Belle rode out many storms with rough seas
always emerging as the victor!
In 1969 Capt. Evans died and Sonny worked Mildred Belle a few more years
before selling her to T.T. Richardson whom owned a crab and oyster business. Over
the years, Mildred Belle was sold twice more but each owner continued to
work her, always trying to fill her cargo hold with fish, crabs or oysters. One
owner, Melville "Stumpy" Bryant used Mildred Belle for family trips in
addition to crab dredging. In 1975 he converted her to a family cruiser by putting
bunks in the large cargo hold and clearing away the dredges and winches that had
been a necessary part of her fishing, crabbing and oysrtering career.
Mildred Belle has ventured to Florida twice on pleasure cruises but each
time returned to the Chesapeake. The Living Classrooms Foundation now operates
this classic Chesapeake Bay workboat for educational trips. When you step on Mildred
Belle's deck, you can be sure she and her crew have experienced many adventures
at sea!