Ashmar boatworks was started in 2002 by Mike Amory at the Old Richardson Boatyard in Cambridge, Maryland. A 1983 graduate of the Landing School of Boatbuilding and Design, Mike has been involved in the building and repair of wooden boats from Maine to the Florida Keys and as far away as American Samoa. At Ashmar Boatworks both traditional and modern composite techniques are used in the building and repair of boats, using the highest quality materials and the best craftsmanship in a cost effective manner.
The Richardson yard on LeCompte Creek was opened after the second world war by James B. Richardson. Mr. Jim operated the yard up until his retirement in the 1970's, during which time the yards marine railway hauled many of the dredge boats working the Choptank river and Chesapeake Bay. In the late 50's Mr.Jim began a series of restoration projects for the Smithsonian Institution including a Seattle cable car, a farm reaper, the Revolutionary war gunboat 'Philadelphia' and two large Indian dugout canoes from British Columbia. Working with the naval architect William A. Baker he built 'Aviza', a replica of an eighteenth century shallop, 'Adventurer', replica of a seventeenth century trading ketch and 'Dove', a replica of a seventeenth century pinnace. In 1972 together with son-in-law and yard foreman Tom Howell, Mr.Jim built Spocott windmill on the site of a similar designed mill that had blown down in 1888. In 1977 the Richardson yard built a new 110ft lower mainmast for the Constellation and upon completion it was floated up the bay by the Coast Guard to Baltimore.
