The History of the Chesapeake Bay Log Canoes

And why the Miles River Yacht Club is the Home of the Log Canoes

The Chesapeake Bay Sailing Log Canoes have a long history on the Bay and were originally adapted from traditional dugout finishing boats. The log canoes were originally used for commercial oystering when watermen used to offload their catches on "buy boats." Since the first boats were able to fetch the best prices, speed became an essential part of the canoes and the first log canoe races was born.

The first organized log canoe races, however, were held about 1840 on the Miles River for the Douglas Cup. The winner received the Cup and the last boat to finish was presented with a ham skin to "grease the bottom of his boat."

In the mid 1800s, there were approximately 6,300 log canoes on the Bay but by 1903, with the advent of gas engines, the canoes nearly disappeared. By 1916, there was only one log canoe left in racable condition on the Miles River.

A group of local St. Michaels businessmen, led by John P. Coseden, decided to revive the tradition of racing these unique boats during a poker game. Their first race was held in 1920 between three canoes: Sam, Mary Rider and Island Blossom, which is now owned by MRYC member Judge John North and skippered by MRYC member Corbin Penwell. Island Blossom is sail number 9 in the image above.

This first race was so successful these local businessmen decided to form a club in 1921 with 10 charter members. This club became the Miles River Yacht Club and why MRYC is known as the Home of the Log Canoes.

Today, this racing tradition continues with more than a dozen log canoes - most built in the 1800s or early 1900s and listed on the National Historic Registry - actively racing in a series of regattas along Maryland's Eastern Shore.

2024 Log Canoe Regatta Schedule