A National Historic Landmark, the J&E Riggin was built on the Maurice River in Dorchester, NJ in 1927 for Charles Riggin’s dredging oyster schooner fleet. She was named after his two sons, Jacob and Edward. Known as a quick, light air vessel, her speed was proven in 1929 when she won the only official Oyster Dredging Race in the Delaware Bay. The Riggin family sold her in the 1940’s when fishing regulations changed. She was converted to power and began fishing for groundfish and mackerel in Cape Cod and the Long Island Sound. In the early 1970s, she was purchased by Dave and Sue Allen and converted to begin carrying passengers at which point her engine was removed and cabins added below. At 120’ length overall, 89’ on deck, and drawing 7’ with her centerboard up, much of her original deck, underwater planking and frames are original. She was placed on the National Register in 1992.

Join us for an evening of reminiscing about this wonderful vessel as Captain Jim Sharp, cofounder of the Sail, Power, and Steam Museum, is joined by Captains Justin Schaffer, Jocelyn Schmidt, John Finger, and Dave Allen as they share the history, photos, and stories of the J&E Riggin.