Bob Doxsee, Jr.
Long Island Traditions
Folklorist Nancy Solomon has documented the maritime culture of Long Island through these interviews spanning the years 1987 – 2016. The collection includes baymen, fishermen, boat builders and other maritime tradition bearers.
National Capital Contracting
On January 26, 2015, Nancy Solomon interviewed Bob Doxsee Jr. as part of the Long Island Traditions oral history project. He recounts his experiences and memories of Point Lookout, New York, particularly focusing on the mid-20th century. He describes the significant impact of nor'easters and hurricanes. Bob details the extensive efforts to combat coastal erosion, including the placement of rocks by the Town of Hempstead and the creation of a clam shell reef by his father, a project approved by the U.S. Army engineers. He shares stories of local landmarks and the changing landscape, as well as the transitions he and his family had to make from fishing to clamming. He vividly describes the practical and innovative methods used to protect the shoreline, including using clam shells to
form a porous barrier that absorbed wave energy. Doxsee also touches on the dramatic and often hazardous efforts to maintain and build jetties and bulkheads. The interview concludes with reflections on the enduring impacts of major storms, particularly Hurricane Sandy, and the lessons learned in storm preparedness and coastal protection.
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