Skiff, St. Lawrence, Sailing
Name/Title
Skiff, St. Lawrence, SailingEntry/Object ID
2008.005Description
2008.005 Boat Type: St. Lawrence Skiff Builder: A. Bain & Co. Length: Beam: Date Built: 1885-1888 Length: 22' 1 1/2" Beam 39" This St. Lawrence Skiff was built by A. Bain & Co., one of the earliest builders of St. Lawrence Skiffs. Dr. Alexander Bain (1843 -1926) originally worked with Xavier Colon, who is credited by many with building the first example of what is called the St. Lawrence Skiff. The firm of Bain & Colon existed until 1885 when Dr. Bain "purchased Colon's interest" (according to the 1885 catalog) and it became A. Bain & Co, with agents in Boston and New York. Dr. Bain also ran a boat livery in Thousand Island Park. In 1888 A. Bain & Co. became the St. Lawrence River Skiff Canoe and Steam Launch Company. Considering its early date of manufacture, this skiff is surprisingly advanced, with very fine entry lines, tight plank laps, and the distinctive smooth-lap shape in the front of the boat. It must have been very fast, and was probably made for sailing skiff races. It is also a fancy skiff, with large decorative brass tacks, and a socket for a flag pole at either end. The mast socket is unusual, seemingly made individually and not a casting. The small socket on the starboard side near the stern is to hold the butt of a fishing rod. A clip let into the opposite outwale would hold the stem of the rod for trolling. The "No 1" on the bow deck identifies the boat as a livery craft. 9/3/2008 - Interview with donor Jack Sheltmire of Cortland College. This skiff came from the Adirondack Great Camp Pineknot, owned by William West Durant.Collection
BoatsAcquisition
Accession
2008.005Source or Donor
Cortland College Center for Environmental and Outdoor EducationAcquisition Method
GiftMade/Created
Manufacturer
A. Bain & Co.Notes
Date: 1885-1888 Propulsion: Sail, OarLocation
Doebler Rack W, West Side, Row C
Bartlett Point Barn 3
Gallery
*Miller S. and Adelaide S. Gaffney GalleryBuilding
*Small Craft BuildingGallery
*Fred Thomas GalleryBuilding
*Small Craft BuildingDoebler Storage Facility - Rack V, West side, bottom