''A.J. Meerwald'', later known as ''Clyde A. Phillips'', is a restored

dredging Dredging is the excavation of material from a water environment. Possible reasons for dredging include improving existing water features; reshaping land and water features to alter drainage, navigability, and commercial use; constructing da ...

oyster schooner An oyster schooner is a type of traditional fishing boat specifically designed for the harvesting of oysters. Typically, an oyster schooner was a gaff-rigged two-masted schooner akin to the Dorchester schooner. They were used in the past in Del ...

, whose home port is in the

Bivalve Bivalvia (), in previous centuries referred to as the Lamellibranchiata and Pelecypoda, is a class of marine and freshwater molluscs that have laterally compressed bodies enclosed by a shell consisting of two hinged parts. As a group, bival ...

section of Commercial Township in

Cumberland County, New Jersey Cumberland County is a coastal county located on the Delaware Bay in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 U.S. census, the county's population was 154,152, making it the 16th-largest of the state's 21 counties. Its county seat is Bridg ...

. The gaff-rigged schooner was added to the National Register of Historic Places on November 7, 1995 for her significance in architecture, commerce, and maritime history. With She became the state tall ship in 1998. Today, ''A.J. Meerwald'' is used by the Bayshore Center at Bivalve for onboard educational programs in the Delaware Bay, and at other ports in the New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware region.

History

On September 7, 1928, ''A.J. Meerwald'' was constructed and launched by Charles H. Stowman & Sons at the shipyard in Dorchester. She was one of hundreds of

schooner A schooner () is a type of sailing vessel defined by its rig: fore-and-aft rigged on all of two or more masts and, in the case of a two-masted schooner, the foremast generally being shorter than the mainmast. A common variant, the topsail schoon ...

s built along South Jersey's Delaware Bay shore before the decline of the shipbuilding industry which coincided with the

Great Depression The Great Depression (19291939) was an economic shock that impacted most countries across the world. It was a period of economic depression that became evident after a major fall in stock prices in the United States. The economic contagio ...

. During World War II, she was commandeered under the War Powers Act and turned over to the U.S. Coast Guard for use as a fireboat. In 1947, she was returned to the Meerwald family, who then sold her to Clyde A. Phillips for use as an oyster dredge. In 1998, Governor

Christine Todd Whitman Christine Temple Whitman (née Todd; born September 26, 1946) is an American politician and author who served as the 50th governor of New Jersey from 1994 to 2001 and as Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency in the administration o ...

proclaimed the schooner the "official tall ship" of New Jersey. The AJ Meerwald was originally built to be a sturdy and reliable ship that could withstand the rough conditions of the Delaware Bay. For many years, the ship was used for oyster dredging, a dangerous but lucrative activity that was common in the area. However, as the demand for oysters declined, the ship was eventually repurposed for other uses. During the prohibition era, the AJ Meerwald was used to smuggle alcohol, a risky but profitable activity that many ships engaged in. The ship was eventually retired from service and was in danger of being scrapped. However, a group of concerned citizens came together to save the ship and restore it to its former glory. Today, the AJ Meerwald is a school ship that offers tours and educational programs that teach students about the history and ecology of the Delaware Bay. The ship is an important resource for the state's educational system, and it plays a crucial role in helping students understand the importance of preserving the environment.The AJ Meerwald is a popular tourist attraction, drawing visitors from all over the world who are interested in learning about the ship's rich history. The ship is a living museum, and visitors can explore its decks and cabins to get a sense of what life was like on board a ship in the early 20th century. The ship is also used for special events, such as weddings and corporate events, and it is a unique and memorable venue for any occasion. The AJ Meerwald is an important part of New Jersey's maritime heritage, and it has played a significant role in shaping the state's history. From its humble beginnings as an oyster dredger to its role as a smuggler during prohibition, the ship has had many different roles over the years. Today, the ship is a living museum that offers visitors a chance to step back in time and learn about the history and ecology of the Delaware Bay.

References

External links

*
Bayshore Center at Bivalve
{{NRHP in Cumberland County, New Jersey Commercial Township, New Jersey Individual sailing vessels Schooners of the United States Symbols of New Jersey Tall ships of the United States 1928 ships National Register of Historic Places in Cumberland County, New Jersey New Jersey Register of Historic Places Oyster schooners Ships built in New Jersey Ships on the National Register of Historic Places in New Jersey

History

See also

References

External links