The images and text below outline a collection of watercraft known as the Whalehead Preservation Trust Boat Collection. These vessels represent a broad cross-section of the types of boats that were used in Currituck County. The emphasis of the collection is upon boats built in the region.
Many of the watercraft have undergone, or are in the process of undergoing restoration. They are stored at various locations throughout Currituck County (contact Whalehead Preservation Trust for more information). All photos by Jill Landen and Ann Sensibaugh.
WPT#2013.9.1
Description: Skiff with float blind built by Wilton Walker c 1950s. Dimensions: L=18’, W=5’9”.
WPT#2013.9.2
Description: Runabout built by Oscar Roberts c. 1950s. Dimensions: L=17’, W=7’4”.
WPT#2013.9.3
Description: Skiff from Creeds, VA (with motor). Dimensions: L=L19’, W=6’.
WPT#2013.9.4
Description: Sailboat with folding mast built by Oscar Roberts. Dimensions: L=17’, W=4’8”.
WPT#2013.9.5
Description: Concave Tunnel boat with inboard motor built by Pat O’Neal for Mr. McMillan (c.1950). Dimensions: L=18’5”, W=6’.
WPT#E2013.4.1
Description: Sailboat built by J.I. Hayman (c.1960s). Dimensions: L=15’4”, W=4’7”.
WPT#E2013.4.2
Description: Skiff. Dimensions: L=16’, W= W5’2”.
WPT#E2013.4.3
Description: Skiff. Dimensions: L=16’2”, W=5’4”.
WPT#2013.9.6
Description: Skiff built to be used in ponds probably by Lawson or Richard Dowdy of Grandy. Donated by West Ambrose. Dimensions: L=16’, W=4’7”.
WPT#2013.9.7
Description: Skiff built by Blanton Saunder came from L. Barnett (c.1950s or 1960s). Dimensions: L=15’5”, W=6’.
WPT#2013.9.8
Description: Flat bottom gas boat with box on top built by Johnny Guard and used by Currituck Shooting Club and in Poplar Branch. Dimensions: L=22’6”, W=7’.
WPT#2013.9.9 (top) & WPT#2013.9.10 (bottom)
Top: Skiff built by Wilton Walker for Jimmy Foreman of Tull’s Creek, NC c. 1970s. Donated by Jimmy Foreman; Dimensions: L=15’5” W5’5”. Bottom: Skiff (c.1960s); L=15’6” W=5’5”.
WPT#E2013.4.4
Description: Built by Pat O’Neal (c.1960s). Dimensions: L15’5” W5’2”.
WPT#E2013.4.5
Description: Skiff. Dimensions: L=15’5”, W=5’
WPT#2013.9.12
Description: Concave Tunnel boat built for Frank Penn of Monkey Island Hunt club by Pat O’Neal (c.1960s). Dimensions: L=24’3”, W=8’4”.
WPT#2013.9.13
Description: Concave tunnel boat called “Dare.” Built for the Wildlife Commission then Mr. Chapel bought it for the Currituck Shooting Club. Subsequently, Levie Bunch purchased it. Dimensions: L=24’3″, W=8’4″
WPT#2013.9.14
Description: Slick boat (concave tunnel). Last boat built by Pat O’Neal and restored by Sonny Briggs. Dimension: L=21′, W=8’4″.
WPT#2012.4.1
Mother Goose gift of Travis Morris. Concave Tunnel Boat built by Pat O’Neal in Coinjock, NC (1948). L=25′
WPT#1993.1.1
Description: Barnegat Bay sneak box sail boat donated by Bob Toddy. 2 floats, 1 mast, tiller and rudder. Shallow draft vessel used in Barnegat Bay, NJ, c.1920s. Dimensions: L=12′, W=4’6″.
Description, bottom: Skiff that belonged to Whalehead. Acquired by Neal Conoley c. 1930-1940s (builder unknown). Restored. Used for Hunting. Dimensions: L=18’4”, W=5’. Description, middle: Hunting Skiff (c.1950s.) Came from Clyde “Booty” Spruill of Aydlet. He looked after marsh around Narrows Island that Dr. Owens from Elizabeth City owned and had a camp there. The skiff belonged to Dr. Owens who has passed away. Booty ended up with the boat, and Wilson Snowden collected it for the Whalehead Preservation Trust. Builder unknown but probably by someone from Grandy, NC. Restored. Dimensions: L=15’, W=3’7” Description: Gunning Skiff donated by the family of Earl and Jane Slick. Built by Sinclair Lewis and used at Pine Island Hunt Club (1901-1902). Still being used in 2010 by Pine Island. Restored. Dimensions: L=23’, W=5’
WPT#2005.3.1
Description: Shad Boat used at Monkey Island Hunt Club donated by Levie Bunch. Built by Otis Dough of Wanchese, NC. Purchased by E.S. Penn, the owner of Monkey Island (c.1919). Made of Juniper. Has a float rig attached to it like it would have when it was in use at Monkey Island. Restored by Sullivan boat works. Dimensions: L=32′.
WPT#2009.1.1
Description: Shad Boat donated by Levie Bunch. Built by Otis Dough of Wanchese, NC (c. 1906). Made of Juniper. Made for an undetermined hunt club in Back Bay, VA. Casey Jones bought it in the 1960s and brought it to Waterlily where he used it to fish and tow skiffs across the sound with hunting and fishing parties. Mr. Jones had Grissie Barco put a shelter cabin on it. He also used it to haul sein net. The boat was then sold to Newton Hampton who then sold it to Ambrose “Hambone” Twiford. Hambone was a commercial fisherman. He took the shelter cabin off. He used the boat for many years until he traded it to Levie Bunch. Restored by Sullivan Boat works. Dimensions: L=33′.
WPT#2010.14.3
Description; Skiff. Built by Blanton Saunders for Game Warden Howard Forbes, Jr. to use in Currituck Sound. When Mr. Forbes retired, the State of NC gave him the boat. Acquired by the Currituck wildlife Guild and then transferred to the Trust (c.1950-1960s). Has a modern motor on it. Dimensions: L=17’6”, W=6’.
WPT#2012.1.1
Kidney Boat (Duck Boat) donated by Manson Meekins built in Michigan by Dan Kidney and Sons Boat Works c.1930s. Purchased in 1964 from the estate of Andy Peters by Manson Meekins when he was stationed in Michigan. When he went home to Avon in 1966 he took the boat with him. The boat was in Avon until 2012. Original Oars and Curtain to hide the hunter from the waterfowl.
