Launch
Shadow
Name/Title
LaunchEntry/Object ID
1972.028Description
1972.028 Shadow Boat Type: Long-decked Launch Builder: L. E. Fry Model: Unknown Length: 26' Beam: 5'8" Date Built: 1920 Lucian E. Fry (1855 -1941) started out working for the St. Lawrence River Skiff Canoe and Steam Launch company before going into business for himself. Built by L.E. Fry in 1920, Shadow is a good example of an early displacement launch. Twenty-six feet long and six feet wide, Shadow was built in the style of the 'Auto-Boat'; that is a long, skinny boat with a long front deck and a seated helm, at a time when the popularity of such boats was waning in the face of the dawning Runabout era. Unlike many such boats from companies like Elco or even the local Morristown Boat Works, Shadow is built lightly, like a racing St. Lawrence Skiff, with relatively thin, closely spaced oak ribs and smooth-lap cedar planking. The deck consists of wide boards butted against each other, again like the St. Lawrence Skiff. The construction of Shadow is almost identical to that of 'Ellie' (acc. no. 2002.003), a skiff-putt also built by L.E. Fry. Fry also built wood-hulled Sea Planes for the US Government during World War I. Shadow is equipped with a large brass ventilator facing forward, mounted on the engine hatch, and two smaller ventilators which also face forward mounted on the covering boards just forward of the windshield. Seating is arranged for 5, with a full forward bench seat with a 2/3 folding back, and full seat all the way aft. The engine hatch arrangement in Shadow is an ingenious one of Fry's design. The engine hatch comes all the way back to the edge of the cockpit, where the windshield is fastened to it. Rather than opening on a hinge, the hatch slides forward on wooden tracks, allowing very easy access from the cockpit. In that engine compartment is found a Fray Marine model G20, a flathead four-cylinder engine of 25 horsepower. A modern engine for its time, the G20 has induction coil ignition, electric start, and an Auto-Lite motor generator. It employs a single-updraft Zenith carburetor. Shadow was restored at some point by Morgan Marine and is in fine condition, but would benefit from some small attention nonetheless. A portion of her rub-rail is coming loose, and her ventilators are little weak. The varnish overall and particularly on the decks is dulled with age, indicating that a new coat has not been applied in ten years or more. More troubling, she is drooping slightly over her cradle, particularly in the stern. A new, longer cradle should be made for her at some point. Shadow is an important boat; built by a prominent local builder and displaying the evolution of construction techniques in the Thousand Islands. EVS 2008Collection
BoatsAcquisition
Accession
1972.028Source or Donor
Mitchell, ThomasMade/Created
Manufacturer
L. E. Fry and Co.Date made
1925Place
Location
Clayton, NY, USAEdition
Model: utilityNotes
Early Date: 1925 Propulsion: Inboard, gasoline Engine: Gray Marine, model 620, serial F15889 Cylinders: 4 HP: 25Other Names and Numbers
Other Numbers
Number Type
Other NumberOther Number
837-0Number Type
Old NumberOther Number
608Dimensions
Width
6 ftLength
26 ftLocation
Wall
EastRoom
Bay 8Building
*Don Doebler Collections Storage FacilityBartlett Point Barn 1
*Cleveland E. Dodge Memorial Launch Building