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The original painting has been reproduced as 16" X 18" prints on high quality archival paper. The painting has also been reproduced as a mural for the Reference and Research wing of the Lewes Public Library. "Race to the Point" depicts a unique event in the history of Lewes and shares with the viewer a glimpse of the competitive spirit that drove the crew of the menhaden fishing vessels in their everyday activity. The Smith Company menhaden fishing fleet became the backbone of the Lewes economy furnishing employment, capital resources and leadership to the then, tiny town. "Race to the Point" illustrates the return trip from the ocean into the Delaware Bay by two menhaden boats, the Amagansett and the McKeever Brothers. After weeks of fishing, the crew, anxious to return home to their families would occasionally spot another of the Smith fleet also steaming back to be unloaded. The painting steps in at this point to illustrate the high spirited, competitive and sometimes dangerous event - the race to the point. The winner would be first to be unloaded. The loser of the race would have to wait hours or even overnight to be unloaded before its men could disembark ship and return to their families. Steve Rogers became interested in the menhaden fleet when he was frustrated in his efforts to find good plans and photos to use as resources for building ship models of the menhaden fleet. He found an excellent resource in a Naval officer from Dahlgren, Virginia whose interest in the menhaden ships related to the fact that, at one time or another the ships were taken over by the Navy during the World Wars. The McKeever Brothers was built in 1911 in Noank, Connecticut and served in anti-submarine duty during World War I. The ship had a long life finally serving here in Lewes at the Smith Company. Curiously, the McKeever Brothers is still in Delaware; it was brought up the Nanticoke River to Seaford where it is now landlocked as a restaurant. The Amagansett was built in 1912 in Portland, Maine, as one of a series of six boats known as "super seiners". The exceptional length of 169 feet actually made the coordination of multiple seines difficult. It served a long life with the Smith Company with homeport here in Lewes. These high quality, first edition prints represent an opportunity to own a masterpiece of Lewes art by a fine Lewes artist, and are sure to become a valuable addition to any collection. The prints will be sold "shrink wrapped" and unframed for $150.00. You may purchase a remarque print, which includes a small original pencil sketch by Steve Rogers in the right hand corner below the image, for $200.00. Proceeds of the sale of the prints will go to the Lewes Public Library Endowment Fund. The original painting will also be on display. Please contact the library for additional information at 645-4633. |
