Skiff, St. Lawrence
Name/Title
Skiff, St. LawrenceEntry/Object ID
1986.030Description
Boat Type: St. Lawrence Skiff Builder: Wilbur & Wheelock Model: Unknown Length: 17' 9" Beam: 45" Depth: 13" Date Built: 1895-1935 A plate on the bow deck of this skiff identifies it as having been made by Wilbur & Wheelock. The firm of Wilbur & Wheelock was formed in 1895 by Charles H. Wilbur (1869-1944) and Jay W. Wheelock (younger, dates unknown) after the St. Lawrence River Skiff, Canoe, and Steam Launch Company, for which both men had worked, moved from Clayton to Ogdensburg and became the Spalding St. Lawrence Company. Mr. Wilbur had been the foreman at St. L. R. S. C. & S. L. Co., and Jay Wheelock was a boat painter. In addition to building small boats, Wilbur & Wheelock operated a boat livery called the Columbian on Water Street in Clayton, where they also sold souvenir paddles. The construction of this boat is typical for a St. Lawrence Skiff, lapstrake cedar planking over oak ribs and keel; in this case inner and outer keel and stems. The outwales and decks are mahogany, with a cedar deck cap. It has floorboards up to the level of the seats, where there is a rail, and cedar ceiling up to the inwales. At some point the boat was restored, with little attention paid to detail. The seat braces are replacements, and the St. Lawrence rowlocks are fastened down with inadequate screws. There are several sistered ribs, butt-joints, and odd stain colors. In good shape overall. EVS 08Collection
BoatsAcquisition
Accession
1986.030Source or Donor
Rettew, GreggAcquisition Method
GiftMade/Created
Manufacturer
Wilbur & WheelockPlace
Location
Clayton, NY, USANotes
Date: 1895-1935 Propulsion: OarOther Names and Numbers
Other Numbers
Number Type
Old NumberOther Number
X2008.604Location
Shelf
Row CCabinet
West SideWall
Rack RBuilding
*Don Doebler Collections Storage FacilityDoebler Storage Facility, Rack Q, East side, 2nd from bottom