When is National Captain’s Hill Day? This day will take place on July 15 of each calendar year.
What is National Captain’s Hill Day? This national day is being created to celebrate the life of Captain William Carhart. He was lost a sea when his ship sank in 1799 and is buried at the entrance of the neighborhood. Captain Carhart was on an expedition from Cuba and sank off the shore of Ocean City, MD.
“The presence of his stone marker is a strong reminder of Ocean CIty’s long maritime historyway before the hotels, boardwalk and fishing pier. The grave has a strong presence/energy about it…..”
The neighborhood in which bears his name, Captains Hill, is home to many fishermen as well as Ocean City’s premier boat builder.
Why is this day being celebrated or observed? This day is being created in order to celebrate the maritime industry that has been the foundation of West Ocean City and the local residents. Though Ocean CIty is considered a tourist destination, this day would embody the true spirit of Ocean CIty locals. But this day would not be limited to Ocean CIty residents, it would be a way to memorialize the tragic frequency of fishermen being lost at sea. It is truly one of the most dangerous occupations that very few people can understand. This is truly lacking in such a “fishing town” such as West Ocean City. Though a commercial fishing harbor is but a stones throw away, there is nothing to honor the men and women that have made a life within the fishing industry.
It has been far too long to not have anything in West Ocean CIty, particularly the commercial fishing harbor, that memorializes not just Captain Carhart, but all fishermen.
More importantly, the day will bring awareness to environmental issues. Fishermen are about sustainability. This is not just how they make their living, but for posterity.
How should this day be celebrated or observed? This day will be celebrated with a community garden, parade, as well as a festival. There will be demonstrations on knot tying, boat etiquette and learning about environmental issues.
Who created this day? This day was created in August 2021 by Jeremy Ziman.