Episode 5: The Oyster Wars
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Episode 5: The Oyster Wars
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About this listen
Narrated By K.T. Harris
Produced By Kris Lark
Featuring additional imaging voice work by Terry Briscoe & Joe
Cruise
In this episode of St. Mary’s SOCO Stories, we dive into the gritty, little-known maritime conflict that once rocked the Chesapeake Bay—the Oyster Wars.
From the 1800s through the early 1900s, the waters off Southern Maryland became a battleground between local watermen, out-of-state dredgers, and the so-called "Oyster Navy." Fueled by profit and survival, these clashes weren’t just legal disputes—they turned violent, with raids, boat chases, and even gunfire echoing over the water.
Join us as we explore how a yummy, shelled creature sparked chaos, how Ridge and Point Lookout played a role, and how the legacy of the oyster wars still shapes the culture of the Chesapeake today.