voc ep 84: Capt. Jake Flory

The Nathan of Dorchester is an authentic Chesapeake Bay oyster dredge boat who carries passengers and shares the maritime history of skipjacks and the ecology of oysters. Designed by marine architect Harold Ruark and built by volunteers under guidance of master shipwright Robert S "Bobby" Ruark from 1992 to 1994 consuming 10,000 man-hours. The Nathan is 45' on deck with a beam of 16'. The mast is 60', boom 45', bowsprit 19'-3". The draft is 3' (board up). Some parts and equipment were salvaged or donated from old skipjacks. Captain and crew are dedicated to keeping alive the rich maritime history of the skipjack and to preserving the skipjack Nathan of Dorchester so future generations can experience the fast disappearing life of the waterman on the Chesapeake Bay.

Jake Flory currently serves as captain of the Nathan of Dorchester. In this Voices interview, Jake tells of his formative years sailing the Chesapeake and kayaking the Susquehanna River on his journey to becoming a skipjack captain, racing in the Deal Island Skipjack Races with the legendary working skipjack captains. http://www.skipjack-nathan.org/