Canoe, Sailing, Decked

Object/Artifact

Antique Boat Museum

Name/Title

Entry/Object ID

2003.011

Description

2003.011 Boat Type: 16/30 Decked Sailing Canoe Builder: St. Lawrence River Skiff Canoe and Steam Launch Company Model: Unknown Length: 16' Beam: 30" Date Built: 1890-1900 An emblem in the foredeck of this decked sailing canoe bears the name of the St. Lawrence River Skiff Canoe and Steam Launch Company. The St. L. R. S. C. & S. L. Co. was formed by Dr. Alexander Bain (1843 -1926) and others in 1888, and was the shop where many local builders including Lucian E. Fry, Joseph Leyare, Charles Wilbur, and Jay Wheelock first became involved in the trade. As a company, it tried to take propriety of the St. Lawrence Skiff, using the tagline "None genuine without this trade mark." At the time, the St. Lawrence Skiff was becoming a known and sought-after craft locally and nationally. The boat is in fine shape, though it has no rig and is missing its original folding centerboard. It does have the original brass rudder which can be folded up as well. The hull is very complete and sound, with an adequate old finish. EVS 08 This decked sailing canoe features a small plaque on the foredeck which bears the inscription "St. Lawrence River Skiff, Canoe and Steam Launch Co., Clayton, N.Y." The canoe was built during the 1890s. The planking is narrow, about 1 1/2" at the stem and stern and 2 1/2" admidships, and 3/8" in thickness; copper nailed into the ribs, but brass screwed at bow and stern and along the keel. Unfortunately the only equipment with the hull is the brass rudder with retractable blade. The canoe was originally equipped with a folding fan centerboard which is no longer extant. It has been replaced with a trunk for a convential centerboard which is of obviously new construction. No other equipment, nor the rig, has survived. Note: Since the above was written, additional archival materials pertaining to this boat have been received from the Coolidge estate and are filed with the accession records. 10/26/2010 - Contacted by donor's son, spars, seat and other parts are in Bethesda, MD - will arrange to get them to us. - DJM 11/2010 - spars have been picked up by Bud Gillis (in Maryland) and will be delivered to NY summer 2011.

Collection

Boats

Acquisition

Accession

2003.011

Source or Donor

Coolidge, William B.

Made/Created

Manufacturer

St. Lawrence River Skiff, Canoe & Steam Launch Co.

Date made

1890

Place

Location

Clayton, NY USA

Edition

Model: 16/30

Notes

Early Date: 1890 Propulsion: Sail

Dimensions

Width

32 in

Length

192 in

Location

Shelf

Row B

Wall

Rack J

Building

*Don Doebler Collections Storage Facility

Doebler Rack K, top

Fred Thomas Skiff Livery