The name of this wrecked shrimp boat refers to the owners 4 granddaughters.  I communicated with one of them and she told me that her grandfather was once the mayor of  Fernandina as well as a shrimper.  I think this boat has sailed it's last.

Fernandina Beach Shrimpboats

Fernandina Beach is considered to be the roots of the commercial shrimping industry.  Sadly the fleet is almost gone.  I remember the docks along Front Street when they were full of boats, now there are a few moored along the waterway but they have been replaced by tour boats and charter fishing boats.  I guess this is another casualty of foreign competition.

Tarpon Springs Shrimp Boats

 

These shimp boats were moored along the Anclote River in Tarpon Springs.  If you haven't experienced this old sponge diving town it's a nice place to spend a day.  The Greek heritage is still prevalent along the river and there are some very good restaurants.  There are boat tours and sponge diving demonstrations if you are interested in that sort of thing.  Tarpon Springs is surrounded by the urban sprawl of Tampa Bay but this one little pocket along the river has remaned largely untouched.