CNBNews

William E. Cleary Sr. | CNBNews 

ROCK HALL, MARYLAND (JULY 6, 2024)-- The Maryland Fishing report we publish weekly
has a picture of a man holding a gigantic Blue Claw Crab that he caught in the Chesapeake Bay. Seeing that photo brought back memories of the Rock Hall Gang from Gloucester City. For several years, between 50 and 100 men would travel to Rock Hall, Maryland, in the summer for an All-You-Can-Eat Crab picnic. The fee was nominal, maybe $25. It was 40 years ago, and most of the people who were involved have died. As such this reporter is guessing at the amount. Only men were allowed. Usually, it wasn't advertised because those running it didn't want it to become too large. Eventually, that was the main reason why it was stopped. 

This was "Back in the Day" in Gloucester City"; the year was 1980. The population of Gloucester City had been declining since the 60s when there were over 16,000 people living there. The blight and the flight from the City was still some 20 years away. In the years to come the city would have more rental housing than permanent homeowners. In the 80s there were still 40-plus bars in the city, but even that number was declining. People still knew everyone living in their neighborhood on a first name basis.

The group of individuals who conceived the idea for a blue claw crab picnic were regulars at Caps Bar, situated at 314 Jersey Avenue. Others involved hailed from the Memorial A.A. The travel time from Gloucester City to Rock Hall consistently took two hours, although it was subject to variations based on traffic. The event invariably occurred on a Sunday. Among the men who stepped up to transport the 10-plus kegs of beer from Gloucester to Rock Hall were Reider and Leon Harris Sr., Joe Boulden, and John Newcomb. The beer was the main stable of the picnic. If that foursome had gotten stuck in traffic and didn't reach the picnic grounds with the beer on time there is no telling what the others would do. As such these dedicated individuals would leave the day before the picnic and sleep overnight in a local motel. 

The picnic spot was located on the shore of the Chesapeake Bay. Crab traps would be placed in the bay at different locations. After several hours some of the guys would wade into the water and empty the crabs into baskets.  Besides the crabs, the menu included hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad, and corn. John Reider did the cooking. Bob Weichman was Sgt. of Arms. The 6 foot 8 inch Weichman was in charge of keeping the crowd from grabbing any of the food before Reider gave the okay. 

THE ROCK HALL GANG-- The photo was from the 1980 picnic/crabbing event. Each summer, the attendance kept getting larger. But, after five years or so, interest dropped off and it ended altogether. Why was the Rock Hall picnic so popular?  If you were from that era, you knew that whenever you got that many guys from Gloucester City in one spot drinking beer and eating crabs and corn, anything could happen. There was also the comradery; these guys knew each other from their childhood. It was fun to hear them reminisce.  If anyone has any pictures from those trips please send them to [email protected] for publication. 

Here is a list of people from the event that I remember: Bart Rettew, Sam Chew, Jim Battersby,  Rich Steele, John Reider, Harry Boulden, John Newcomb, Joe Newcomb, Jim Newcomb, Bob Bevan, Horace Bevan, Bob Weichman, Frank Krueger, Larry Barron, Mike Barron, Clarence Hoffman, Ron Henefer, Charlie Huber, Wayne Riddell, Jack Hargraves, Andy Nolan, Walt Ash, Mike Settar, Ed Cowgill, Bill Cleary, Harry Blymer, Leon Harris, Oaks McDade, Vernon Myers, Phil Snell, Bill Rettig, Kevin Boulden, Harry Boulden Jr., Harry Boulden Sr., Bill Kaisla, Charlie Tourtual, Phil Schnell, Leon Harris Jr. 

If you can recognize anyone in the photo, please comment below. If you remember anyone who was in attendance but wasn't mentioned, share their name in the comment section. 

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Rock Hall' "The Pearl of the Chesapeake", is a waterfront town located directly on the National Chesapeake Scenic Byway in Kent County, Maryland. It is situated less than two hours away from large metropolitan areas such as Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington DC.  Originally called Rock Hall Crossroads, the town is now a quaint fishing, sailing and recreational boating town on the upper eastern shore of the Chesapeake Bay. It is the center of Kent County’s maritime industries and is also a popular destination for art, music, culture and wildlife enthusiasts.

Even before the Town’s establishment in 1707, the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries have shaped the economic and cultural development of the Town. In the early years, the Bay served as a commercial link to other populated areas on the western shore, such as Baltimore, Annapolis and Virginia, as well as northern areas such as Philadelphia and New York. Rock Hall served as a shipping point for tobacco, seafood and other agricultural products, as well as a passenger transport connection for travelers during the Colonial era. Famous Americans, such as George Washington, James Madison and others have passed through Rock Hall numerous times traversing between Virginia and their northbound destinations. Later, fishing and seafood processing became the Town’s largest industry, providing an economic base for commerce and town community life. Maryland blue crabs, oysters, rockfish and more, although less plentiful today, have comprised the bountiful seasonal harvest.  

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