Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-08-31

I eternal 9TatlCl0e OF all eplcureS mas
long been a subject of conjecture
Certain old paintings found in Vir-
minia, however, substantiate the belief that
the intrepid explorer, Capt. John Smith, was
the first white man in America to fall for
that luscious bivalve. These pictures repre-
sent the Indians bringing oysters to Capt.
Smith and the early settlers of Virginia. 1t
is not difficult to visualize the scene.
That early April day in 1907 three little
ships the Sarah Constant, the Goodspeed and
the Discovery under command of Capt Chris
topher Newport, found themselves driven into
the mouth of the Chesapeake before the LASH
ing winds of northeaSter. Hampton Roads,
under these conditions did not offer safe
harbor for such small craft, and Capt. New
port continued the journey up the bay until
the relatively quiet waters of the James River,
the river of Powhatan, were reached. Here,
record states, off jamestown Island, the three
little vessels anchored
To the Indians who inhabited Virginia the
sight of these boats strange one. Great
birds they appeared to be, gliding over the
waters and carrying a race of curious beings.
One can picture the savages in their skin
canoes drawn up the beach of jamestown
Island cautiously observing the intruders.
After a period of indecision, they suddenly
leaped into their canoes and with wild whoops
padded around the ships One brave, more
daring than the rest, drew close to the Dis
covery, the decks of which stood Capt. John
Smith, who beckoned him to approach and
ordered rope ladder to be lowered
The red man was drawn on board, and Capt.
Smith, approaching him. placed a string of
glittering beads around the broad brown neck.
AT this the Indian grtlnted his approval, and
with the sudden swiftneSs of arrow leaped
over the side of the ship and disappeared into
the waters below. In less than a minute he
reappeared on the surface bearing two great
shells. which he held up to Capt. Smith. Once
more he was hoisted aboard, and unsheathing
his knife, opened the shells and displayed the
luscious oyster lying within. He indicated to
Capt Smith that they were to be eaten and
that adventurer, being tactful as well as q
brave man, bent his head and swallowed one
of the bivalves. Its favor proved so delicious
that he exclaimed with pleasure and called to
his shipmates to try the new delicacy. After
that many strings of beads were exchanged for
oysters which the Indians brought up to the
Virginia coloniStS.
THIS quaint yet important incident was but
prologue to the drama Of the oyster
which has played such vital part in the
Chesapeake Bay country. Each successive in
cident became more stirring and more robust
In the early seventies of the nineteenth CEN
tury activities assumed proportions of chaotic
lawlessness. This period produced many fear
less seafaring men, Little did Capt. John
Smith realize that the delicious seafood given
him by the Indians would in later years cause
battles, bloodshed and the loss OF lives
No doubt the most romantic period in the
history of the oyster industry in Chesapeake
Bay was during the time of greatest oyster
production, when the great fleets of PUNCHES,
Schooners. skipjacks and bugeyes, manned by
rough and fearless shippers with shanghaied
crews, roamed the bay, taking oysters from the