On the Rail: Railway Season in Full Swing

By Christian Cabral

In CBMM’s Shipyard, spring weather kicks off the fast and furious railway season, during which all of CBMM’s floating fleet vessels, as well as some visiting hulls, are hauled for annual care, inspection, and repair.

Our season began with the hauling and service of skipjack Stanley Norman, a relative newcomer to St. Michaels, now owned and operated by the Inn at Perry Cabin. Hot on its heels was Edna Lockwood, the queen of CBMM’s floating fleet, for paint, care, and topside repair.

Next, CBMM’s railway was occupied by the largest member of the fleet, the newly restored 1938 buyboat Choptank. Over the course of several weeks, Choptank underwent a complete hull refinish, running gear maintenance, and general annual care. Now back in the water, Choptank will remain dockside while CBMM shipwrights install the vessel’s new passenger accommodations and working rig. Never to be left idle, CBMM’s railway team will now move on to hauling and servicing CBMM’s own skipjack, Rosie Parks.

In concert with the flurry of railway activity, the balance of the Shipyard team is focused on the ongoing construction of Mr. Dickie, the new 36-foot buyboat.

In anticipation of Mr. Dickie’s October launch, the summer and early fall months are dedicated to decking/superstructure installation, interior installation, engine installation, systems and electrical design, rig construction, and finally hull finish. During this final phase of construction, changes to the form and appearance of the vessel occur quickly, and guests, as always, are encouraged to come see our progress.

Never to be outdone, CBMM’s senior apprentice, Megan Mitchell, oversaw the launch of the newly constructed St. Michaels scow, reintroducing the design to its historic home port of St. Michaels with help from the students of CBMM’s Rising Tide program. With the hull complete, Mitchell turned attention to the construction of the vessel’s spars, rigging, and sails and wrapped the project just in time to capitalize on the summer sailing season. ★