Sheepshead Bay was originally part of the Coney Island Creek. A village of its own, Sheepshead Bay has a history of being a fishing town since pre-colonial times. According to a Brooklyn Eagle article, many fishermen and canoeists could be spotted throughout the bay during the summer months. In 1880, the Coney Island Jockey Club created a racetrack, which lead to a population growth in the surrounding areas of the Bay. Seafood restaurants and other businesses began to pop up along Emmons Avenue, the main street alongside the Bay. The channel of Sheepshead Bay waterway was officially dredged by 1916 and in 1922 the New York City Dock Commission dredged the Bay further to expand Emmons Avenue. (from the University of New Hampshire)

Around 1900, Capital James W. Corrigall decided to create a ferry service that transported people from Sheepshead Bay to Plum Beach, a neighborhood about a “20-foot breadth” away, where many locals had summer bungalows. In 1920, the Brooklyn Eagle reported that people thought a nickel was too much for such a small trip, as other ferries were only charging a penny for longer trips. The reporter wrote, “times are hard on ferry companies and the world’s smallest ferry is no exception to the rule. The captain’s ambidexterity ought to be worth a nickel anyhow.” I wonder what these people would now think of the current ferry prices ($2.75 as of 2021). \[Photo and quote from Brooklyn Daily Eagle - 1920-09-12]

Photo of Plum Beach.

Ariel view of the Bay.

As Sheepshead Bay became more residential, and people wanted a place to store their boats and spend time with other locals, yacht clubs began to form. The Miramar Yacht Club was founded in 1932 at 3128 Emmons Avenue as the Miramar Boat and Canoe Club. During the 1930s, the club used to host canoe races in the Bay. With other boat clubs, the Miramar Yacht Club joined the Associated Canoe Clubs of Sheepshead Bay (founded in 1931) and hosted a series of tournaments. In 1944, it was incorporated and reorganized as a cooperative yacht club. The club was also very active during the Second World War. Members gave boats to the coast guard, and donated fishing equipment to the Floyd Bennett Navy Air Station.

Sheepshead Bay was also home to a maritime training station during the Second World War. The station opened on September 1, 1942 and spanned 76 acres across the Bay, and according to records, around 115,000 servicemen were trained there. The training courses ranged from six weeks to six months depending on the urgency of getting people out to war. On May 22nd, 1945, a ceremony was held to celebrate the maritime efforts of the war. A memorial ceremony also occurred, and a wreath was placed in the water to honor the 6,000 members who lost their lives. The site is now home to Kingsborough Community College. \[Photo from Brooklyn Eagle 1945-12-09]

After the war, yacht clubs were still popular along the Bay. Many people came together in the spring to get the boats ready for the sailing season. This picture shows the “boat doctors,” Bernard Kovitz, and Jonathan Better fixing a boat at the Bay.

The start of every sailing season also began with a traditional flag raising event called Getaway Day.

Brooklyn Public Library - 1949

During the 1960s a woman named Edna Dee would report the fishing conditions of the Bay in the Kings Courier Newspaper. Dee also reported about the “best catches” that came from the Bay. For example, in 1962, she wrote that a Mr. John Moran caught a 44 lb. 2 oz. cod fish from the Bay. The column often included information on the boats out in the Bay and where people could purchase fishing materials. \[Photo from Kings Courier 1962-03-03]

Bernie’s Bait and Tackle was one of the many places where people could purchase rods, bait, and tackle for their fishing trips. Here is the store in May of 1973. The store, now called Bernie’s Fishing, is currently located two blocks from the original location. \[National Archives - 05/73]

The Ocean Avenue Footbridge allows people to walk across the Bay. The bridge actually dates back to 1880 when it was built by Austin Corbin. The bridge connects Sheepshead Bay from Emmons Avenue and East 19th street to Manhattan Beach. Since 1998, casting has been illegal on the bridge. ca. 1990

Sheepshead Bay is also home to whales! People can now go on whale watching tours and hope to catch glimpses of whales that live in the Bay. My friend went on one of the tours and was able to get a picture of one of the whales! \[Summer 2021]

This last picture is one that I took myself in September 2020. After eating at a local restaurant, my friend and I took a walk along the Bay. Despite the noise of traffic, it was a relaxing scene. Sheepshead Bay has a long history as a fishing and boating port. From canoes, to yachts, to whale watching, the Bay is a true gem of New York City. If you’re ever in Brooklyn, come check out this historic maritime place for yourself - you never know what fun things you will find! \[September 2021]