30th Anniversary of Watermen’s Memorial

The Solomons Island Yacht Club places an oyster-laden wreath in front of the Watermens Memorial alongside Commodore Pat Healy-Catchings and Father Nathan Beall. Photo: Michaila Shahan.

By Michaila Shahan

Jutting out of a small space of green between the Solomons boardwalk and Solomons Island Road south, the Watermen’s Memorial is a four-piece monument situated in the Watermen’s Memorial Garden. It connects visitors to the present and the past with ten emboldened words, “To those who fished the bay and built their boats.”

On Sunday, May 15, the Solomons Island Yacht Club (SIYC) hosted a ceremony marking 30 years since the dedication of the Watermen’s Memorial. They were joined by a water cannon salute from the Solomons Volunteer Fire Department tug, as well as a presentation of colors from Patuxent High School’s NJROTC and a singing of the national anthem from Patuxent’s chamber choir.

All gathered in honor of the monument’s purpose: to honor the people who worked the Bay.

Dedicated in 1993, this marker stands as testimony to, and grieves, the individual Solomons watermen and women “both professional and recreational” who lived their lives on the Bay. Alton Kersey, who was Commodore in 1989, created the idea for the Watermen’s Memorial while he was standing at its present location, encouraging the local community for funding.

“Funds for this monument,” the memorial reads, “were raised by local residents and businesses to celebrate the past and savor the promise of a better tomorrow.”

In 1994, wreaths were first lain at the memorial after Capt. John E. (Robbie) Robinson of the fishing boat Miss Regina II asked, “Wouldn’t it be great if the SIYC would lay a wreath at the base of the Watermen’s Memorial on the Blessing of the Fleet?” His question led to the annual wreath-laying event that was adopted under Gibbs, according to the History of the Solomons Island Yacht Club.

On Sunday the yacht club continued the tradition, laying an oyster-ornamented wreath beside the memorial as members of the yacht club, Calvert Watermen’s Association, and Solomons Civic Association recited the names of the watermen honored on the plaque.

The organizers hope the annual recognition reminds locals and visitors alike of the hardworking individuals who crafted the unique culture of Solomons. “It is an integral part of the culture,” Pat Healy-Catchings, current SIYC commodore emphasizes. “We live with watermen, we live with people who work on the water day in and day out. The memorial is very important to honor those people in our area who are dedicated to working on the water.”

The 35th annual Blessing of the Fleet followed the ceremony. Guests and watermen crowded the Patuxent River to watch Father Nathan Beall from St. Peter’s Episcopal Church deliver the blessing.

SIYC Fleet Captain Dennis Chandler calls the tradition a real sight to see, an invocation for a season of “good catch” and “safety” for all boaters who attended.