Smith Island Ferry Trip - Ancient Fish Canning Factory Ruins


Smith Island stands in the Chesapeake Bay 10 miles west of Crisfield, MD, and is accessible only by boat. Only about 220 hardy souls live there now with most earning a living crabbing, fishing, or serving the tourists who come by boat to explore this interesting locale. The island is famous for its Smith Island Cake — with 8 to 15 thin layers with chocolate frosting between. Sadly, the island is disappearing due to rising sea levels and erosion. Efforts are underway to mitigate the impact of these factors. Without these efforts, the island is projected to be completely eroded by 2100. Our trip to Smith Island begins at the docks in Crisfield, MD — the "Seafood Capital of the World". Historically, the economy was centered on harvesting and processing seafood — crabs, oysters, and fish. Overfishing and the decline in the health of the Chesapeake Bay have led to a decline in the seafood industry. We saw these ruins on the voyage over to Smith Island — the remains of an old fish canning factory. It just looks different on the way back.


Size: 4288px × 2848px
Location: Smith Island, MD, USA
Photo credit: © B. David Cathell / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No

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