Virginia Waterman's Memorial on the Eastern Shore
Eastern Shore Post Article - 03/10/04
Rita Hutton discusses the proposed Watermen's Memorial with waterman Bill Bender at Oyster Harbor.
(See complete story on News Webpage 1).
Photo by Mara Dovis
Model of Proposed Watermen's Memorial Unveiled
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Above is a model of the winning design for the Watermen's Museum, to be located in Oyster. Photo by Mara Dovis
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By Bill Massey
Rita Hutton walked the harborfront of Oyster where she envisions the "Virginia's Watermen's Memorial on the Eastern Shore" will be erected one day.
Hutton knows firsthand how it feels to lose a loved one to the water.
"I lost my son to the sea in 1992," she said, as dispassionately as possible. "In Cape May, New Jersey, they have such a memorial and his name is engraved on it, so it will not be on this memorial. But, think of all the watermen who did lose their lives in Virginia's waters. A memorial to remember them - and remind us - would be so good for the families. The story really is those who they left behind. It would be a dignified place where people and loved ones could go, and pray and reflect, and perhaps receive comfort. I think it would be a wonderful thing, and that's why I'm doing it."
Hutton, 71, has been providing leadership for this project for more than two years. Land overlooking Oyster Harbor has been donated for the memorial by Northampton County, and a design has been selected and brought to life on an architectural scale.
"The two main features of the memorial, "Hutton said, "will be a six-sided lighthouse, eight feet tall, with a perpetual light, overlooking the Oyster Harbor. Underneath the lighthouse will be a boy, about five feet tall, standing by a pair of empty boots, waiting for his father's boat to come in. Opposite this will be the memorial itself, which will read, 'To honor those who perished at sea and to give comfort to those of us left behind.' Underneath this would be all the names of those who perished in Virginia waters, and the year they perished."
The architectural concept of the outdoor memorial also calls for reflective benches and a brick flooring. Currently, all that stands on this piece of land is a sign identifying its future use.
"I know we have a long way to go," Hutton said, watching a trawler that had just tied up. "Our next serious effort will be in organizing fund-raisers. We've had a lot of help from some very nice people or we wouldn't have gotten this far. Now we must make our plans a reality."
Coming off the trawler was waterman Bill Bender of Nassawadox.
Hutton approached him casually and asked if he knew about the proposed watermen's memorial.
Bender said he'd heard something about it, but really didn't know all that much so Hutton gave him a 60-second summary.
Though he appeared somewhat in a hurry, Bender took time to listen; and when Hutton finished, he seemed impressed.
"I think it would be good," he told her, "because watermen do dedicate their lives to the water. I think I could help a cause like that."
Hutton smiled as he left; he wasn't a commitment, but that's not what she had been trying for.
"I just wanted to know what he thought," Hutton remarked. "I like to get everyone's view on what we're doing; and you know, it's always positive.
That," she smiled again, "helps keep me going, too."
(More information about the memorial also can be obtained by logging on to website www.virginiaslostatsea.org.)
