The Lady Katie of Cambridge

Lady Katie was built in 1955 by Bronza Parks. The ship has been fully restored.  See the skipjack Lady Katie on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/skipjackladykatie
Bronza M. "Bronzie" Parks was regarded as THE premier boat builder of the Eastern Shore.  He was also the last builder of Chesapeake Bay skipjacks.  During his career Bronza Parks built more than 400 vessels of all types – pleasure craft and working boats.  Four of these boats were skipjacks.
  • Wilma Lee, in 1940
  • Rosie Parks 1955 (Built for his brother.  Named for their mother)
  • Martha Lewis 1955
  • Lady Katie 1956  (His wife’s name was Katie)
Bronza Parks Was Murdered
Bronza Parks was murdered in 1958 by Willis C. Rowe of Silver Spring, Maryland.  Parks was building an 18-foot replica of a skipjack for Rowe.  The work was to be paid for on a time-and-materials basis.  Parks had stopped work until he was paid. An argument broke out over the $1,000 overdue bill on the construction of the boat.   Rowe shot Parks three times: once in the chest and twice in the head.  The medical examiner reported that death was instantaneous.
Rowe was a 39-year-old lawyer, writer and researcher for U.S. News and World Report magazine. He had served in the US Army as an infantry captain during WWII.  He was captured by the German army near the end of the war held at OFLAG XIII-B, Hammelburg, Bavaria, Germany.  After the war he was discharged with the rank of Major.  Today Rowe would likely be diagnosed with PTSD.  In fact,  the chief defense argument at Rowe's trial was about his mental stability.  The squabble over Rowe's mental condition at the time of the murder delayed the onset of the trial until 1963.  Ultimately, Rowe was found guilty of second degree murder and sentence to eighteen years in prison.  The conviction was overturned and a new trial was held in 1965.  Rowe was again found guilty and sentenced to eighteen years in prison, with credit for time served.  After prison Rowe became a full time writer. He died of natural causes in 2002 – an obscure, controversial man, remembered by few. He is buried in the Maryland Veterans Cemetery in Flintstone, Alleghany County, Maryland.
PictureBronza M. Parks Source: Chesapeake Maritime Museum
Bronza Parks is still revered by the people of the Eastern Shore.  He donated the land for the first emergency medical service and fire company in his town and was a co-founder of the Lakes & Straits Fire Company.  At the time of his murder he was a candidate for the office of Dorchester County Commissioner. His community service, quality boats and care for his employees remains a hallmark of excellence that has never been equaled. Bronza Malone Parks is buried in Dorchester Memorial Park, Cambridge, Maryland

Dick Cooper wrote a story about the murder of Bronza Parks for the Chesapeake Maritime Museum.  Read the text at this link.

https://tinyurl.com/BronzaParks