By: Donnell Hall
•On June 15, 1987 The General Assembly of North Carolina adopted the Shad Boat symbol.
•Once the symbol was adopted the Shad Boat became the official historical boat of the state of North Carolina.
•Shad boats were first built in the 1870s by George Washington Creef.
•They were first developed around Roanoke Island after the Civil War.
•They were created because there was a shortage of proper trees for peri augers (a wooden boat people used), and fishing increase required strong and shallow-draft workboats.
•Shad boats were named after the Shad fish because the boats were used to catch these fish.
The Shad Boat design was limited geographically to the area from Elizabeth City to Ocracoke Island and neighboring sounds. Because the Shad Boat represents North Carolinas history and innovative achievements it was important that it be chosen as our states boat symbol.