Skiff, Putt

Object/Artifact

-

Antique Boat Museum

Name/Title

Skiff, Putt

Entry/Object ID

1990.035.003

Description

1990.035.003 Addie Boat Type: Skiff Putt Builder: L. E. Fry Model: N/A Original Power: Current Power: Palmer M60 s/n 458278 Length: 21' 10" Beam: 51" Date Built: 1911 The "Skiff-Putt" is a natural evolution from the older rowing skiff that came with the availability of small inboard engines. Early skiff putts were designed more or less the same way that traditional skiffs had been, double-ended with the almost the same profile and proportions, scaled up for the motor. Lucian E. Fry (1855 -1941) had the experience to build such boats, having started out working for the St. Lawrence River Skiff Canoe and Steam Launch Company. L. E. Fry was one of the finest builders on the river, and many of his boats still survive, including the long-decked launch "Shadow" (1972.028). The skiff-putts were often used as guiding boats in the same way that rowing and sailing skiffs had been, and are often referred to as guide boats. "Addie" is cedar lapstrake over bent oak ribs, fastened with rivets and clench nails. It has mahogany skiff-style decks and a mahogany engine box. The stems are one-piece, made out of straight-grained oak with knees inside. It has a single helm at starboard midships, and one rowing station forward of the engine box. The seats are stamped "Lancaster Island." The engine is a Palmer M-60, a straight four-cylinder flathead producing 22 hp. This engine dates from slightly later than the boat is thought to be. Engines in this configuration were not made in 1911; the earliest may have been in the mid-teens, but more likely this motor dates from the early 1920s. Addie was loaned to the museum in 1972 by Miller Gaffney, who took it back in 1988 in order to have it restored by Ron Waterson. He then brought it back to the Museum as a donation in 1989. It remains in very good condition. The original donation record lists two skiff seats; there is currently only one with the boat. EVS 08

Collection

Boats

Acquisition

Accession

1990.035

Source or Donor

Gaffney, Miller

Made/Created

Manufacturer

L. E. Fry and Co.

Date made

1911

Place

Location

Clayton, NY, USA

Notes

Early Date: 1911 Propulsion: Inboard Engine: Palmer model M-60 serial #458278 Cylinders: 4 HP: 22 Field 13: Electrical Maker Delco Remy 4 cycle gas engine 38"L 19"H 22"W

Other Names and Numbers

Other Numbers

Number Type

Other Number

Other Number

1972.016

Number Type

Old Number

Other Number

400

Dimensions

Dimension Notes

Length: 21.9166666667 ft Width: 4.1458333333 ft

Location

Gallery

*Miller S. and Adelaide S. Gaffney Gallery

Building

*Small Craft Building

Wall

East

Room

Bay 2

Building

*Don Doebler Collections Storage Facility
*Edward John Noble Historic Stone Building