The "Persistence" was built in the 1890's, possibly by John B. Harrison of Tilghman Island. Her hull is constructed of five pine logs with rising planks from the waterline to the sheer. She is distinctive in the fact that she was designed and used as a commercial working canoe for hand tonging oysters until 1966.

In 1966 when she was purchased by Sidney Dickson of St. Michaels, Maryland, "Persistence" was based on Kent Island tonging oysters. She had been converted to power, probably around 1910, and was no longer rigged for sailing. The owners had built a small cuddy cabin forward and situated a diesel engine in the stern.

Sidney Dickson spent four years restoring and converting "Persistence" into a sailing log canoe. She began racing in the fleet in 1970, under the number "12" and won the Capt. Bob Wilson High Point Trophy in 1974.

In 1976 she was purchased by Lewis "Jeep" Jallade, who raced her successfully for several years. He was unable to campaign her much after 1980, and she was retired.

In 1995 "Persistence" was bought by the Independence Seaport Museum of Philadelphia. The Museum's "Workshop on the Water" is an education facility, dedicated to the preservation of the region's historical maritime culture.

After over fifteen years of exposure to the elements with minimal maintenance, the "Persistence" was in poor condition. Under the supervision of marine architect Erik Lostrom, the Museum's students and volunteers spent over a year restoring her into a racing condition.

The "Persistence" is now owned and raced by three siblings, Brad, Tyler, and Shaw Johnson of Chestertown, Maryland. She won the High Point Trophy for the last three years; 1998, 1999 & 2000.  She will fly the "Champion" burgee for the 2001 season.

 

 

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