Skiff, Rowing
Name/Title
Skiff, RowingEntry/Object ID
1970.001Description
Sometimes tiny boats have the most remarkable stories to tell. This little boat was built specifically for United States President Ulysses S. Grant. In 1872 George Pullman, the man who was responsible for building railroad sleeping cars known as Pullmans, invited President Grant to visit his island retreat near Alexandria Bay. Pullman knew Grant was an enthusiastic fisherman and would love the opportunity to fish the St. Lawrence River for a few days in the Thousand Islands. Grant accepted Pullman's invitation and decided to bring along a few Civil War Army Officers including Generals Sherman and Sheridan and the usual contingent newspaper reporters who always followed the President. As coincidence would have it, Grant's trip to the Thousand Islands took place during the same week that the National Association of Newspaper Owners were holding their annual convention at a hotel in Alexandria Bay. Pullman held a reception for everyone at his island, and the news of this magnificent region spread from coast to coast. Grant fishing in the Thousand Islands was the key event that instantly triggered the interest of sportsmen, vacationers and tourists to see it for themselves. Pullman had this special skiff built for President Grant's personal use to find the hard to reach spots where fish were known to frequent. The craft is small, but there's enough room for one person to row while the President could fish. It remained at the Island for years for the President's exclusive use. When the Museum was given the boat by a member of the Pullman family, it was covered with blue paint and required restoration. The transom, however, still had the President's name as it has always.Collection
BoatsAcquisition
Accession
1970.001Source or Donor
Miller, Florence LowdenMade/Created
Manufacturer
Guerin, A.Date made
1875Place
Location
Ogdensburg, NY, USANotes
Early Date: 1875 Propulsion: Oar Engine: 0.000Other Names and Numbers
Other Numbers
Number Type
Old NumberOther Number
211Dimensions
Width
3 ftLength
13-1/2 ftLocation
Gallery
*Miller S. and Adelaide S. Gaffney GalleryBuilding
*Small Craft BuildingGallery
*Fred Thomas GalleryBuilding
*Small Craft BuildingDoebler rack W, East side top
Bartlett Point Barn 4