Canoe, Sailing
Name/Title
Canoe, SailingEntry/Object ID
1975.002Description
1975.002 Boat Type: Sailing Canoe Builder: J. H. Rushton Model: 17' Ontario Length: 17' Beam 32" Date Built: 1903 A nickel-plated medallion in the bow deck identifies this canoe as originating from the shop of J. Henry Rushton of Canton, NY. Rushton's boat shop in Canton was very well known across the US and Canada as a source for fine small craft from the late 1800s to 1905, and it is one of the most documented and well known among antique boat collectors and enthusiasts today. This is an Ontario model open paddling canoe built to be sailed with one mast or two. The coincidence of the length and beam and the monogram deck plate date the boat to 1903, the first year that the Ontario was offered in a 17' model, and at the end of the period when this particular plate was used. The Ontario is an all wood canoe, smooth lap planking over bent half-round oak ribs on 3" centers. This boat has Rushton's style C decking, where the bow and 2" side decks are made of thin cedar strips with chamfered shoulders. Where these strips meet in the bow and stern decks a deck cap is used to cover their ends. The boat is equipped to sail with two masts, but all that is present is a single sail made of awning canvas on a single gaff pole. The canvas is extensively rotted and tattered. The boat itself is in poor shape as well. At some point the hull was canvas covered to stop leaks. The keel has hogged severely in the stern section as a result of improper storage, and the middle has broken out of all the ribs in that section from the pressure. The boat has almost no finish, and is slowly turning gray and rotting. Almost all of the hardware is missing, and those pieces which are there do not appear to be original. The original folding centerboard is present. EVS 08Collection
BoatsAcquisition
Accession
1975.002Source or Donor
Westcott, PhillipMade/Created
Manufacturer
Rushton, J.H.Date made
1890Place
Location
Canton, NY, USAEdition
Model: OntarioNotes
Early Date: 1890 Propulsion: sail Engine: 0.000Other Names and Numbers
Other Numbers
Number Type
Old NumberOther Number
115Number Type
Exhibition NumberOther Number
PC18Dimensions
Width
33 inLength
204 inLocation
Gallery
*Pauline Morgan Dodge GalleryBuilding
*Small Craft BuildingShelf
Row CWall
Rack LBuilding
*Don Doebler Collections Storage FacilityBartlett Point Barn 3