Martha, known as a Hooper Island dovetail because of its unique stern design, was built by Bronza Parks in 1934 and was used for crabbing, oystering, and pleasure. In the early 1900s, Dovetail workboats were contructed with gasoline engines and a special stern that looked like a motor racer. Martha was built in 1934 for $350 and named after the owner’s daughter, Martha Lewis. These boats have many names, and are referred to as ducktail, draketail, torpedo-stern, or Hoopers Island launches, after the island in Dorchester County, Maryland, where they originate. Martha was donated to CBMM in 1989 by Mr. and Mrs. David W. Glass.
Built: 1934, Wingate, Md., by Bronza Parks
Length: 43 ft., 0.5 in. (13.26 m)
Beam: 8 ft., 3 in. (2.53 m)
Martha, Hoopers Island dovetail, 1934. Collection of the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, St. Michaels, Md. Gift of Mr. and Mrs. David W. Glass. 1983.0019.0001.
