Skiff, St. Lawrence
Name/Title
Skiff, St. LawrenceEntry/Object ID
1973.005Description
May have been deaccessioned in 1997. 1973.005 Boat Type: St. Lawrence Skiff Builder: A. Bain Model: Unknown Length 18' 2" Beam 41" Date Built: 1885-1888 This St. Lawrence Skiff is attributed to A. Bain & Co., one of the earliest builders of St. Lawrence Skiffs. Dr. Alexander Bain (1843 -1926) originally worked with Xavier Colon, who is credited by many with building the first example of what is called the St. Lawrence Skiff. The firm of Bain & Colon existed until 1885 when Dr. Bain "purchased Colon's interest" (according to the 1885 catalog) and it became A. Bain & Co, with agents in Boston and New York. Dr. Bain also ran a boat livery in Thousand Island Park. In 1888 A. Bain & Co. became the St. Lawrence River Skiff Canoe and Steam Launch Company, where many local boatbuilders including Lucian E. Fry, Joseph Leyare, E. W. Estes, Charles Wilbur, and Jay Wheelock became involved in the trade. The boat is very typical for a St. Lawrence Skiff, cedar over oak, lapstrake planking all clinch-nailed, eight planks per side. It has two sets of St. Lawrence Skiff-style oarlocks for rowing from the middle and forward seats. It has full floorboards and ceiling inside. In good, complete shape, with some coagulated varnish and dulled paint. EVS 2/08Collection
BoatsAcquisition
Accession
1973.005Source or Donor
Thomas, Dean Boyd, Mrs.Made/Created
Manufacturer
A. Bain & Co.Date made
1885Place
Location
Clayton, NY USANotes
Early Date: 1885 Propulsion: oars Engine: 0.000Other Names and Numbers
Other Numbers
Number Type
Old NumberOther Number
202Dimensions
Width
3-7/16 ftLength
18-3/16 ftLocation
unknown
Bartlett Point Barn 3
Doebler Storage facility, Rack U, West side, top