Name/Title
Dowsett (Blue) St. Lawrence SkiffEntry/Object ID
2019.1.1Description
Dowsett (Blue) St. Lawrence Skiff
Originally built by the Dowsett Boatbuilding Company around 1900, the boat was in the possession of the Sifton family for generations. Tell tale signs such as small steel clench nails used in the costruction instead of copper nails used exclusively later on indicate to an early costruction, perhaps in the 1890's. Restoration work was completed on the Skiff including a brand new hull but refitted with the originally seats, decks, and floorboards. The hull is constructed of white cedar planking lapped and copper clench nailed to a white oak structure: new stems, ribs and keel. The original cedar decks, seats, and floor liner were fitted on the new hull.
Was originally owned by Michael Sifton's (donor) grandfather Col. Clifford Sifton, son of Sir Clifford Sifton. This skiff was always painted blue. It was used at the family's summer house east of Mallorytown and Brown's Bay. There is a sister skiff that is still in the family's possession. This skiff was eventually sold by Michael Sifton Sr. (donor's father) to Morris Huck and Ed Huck Marine, a close family friend, who gave Michael Sifton Jr. the first right of refusal if he ever decided to sell it. Eventually he did buy it back only to find out it needed to be totally rebuilt. Restoration work was completed at the Wooden Boat Shop in Gananoque, and the skiff was donated to the TIBM in 2019.Collection
Boat CollectionMake and Manufacture
Manufacturer
Dowsett Boatbuilding CompanyModel
St. Lawrence SkiffManufacture Place
City
PortlandState/Province
OntarioCountry
CanadaContinent
North AmericaManufacture Date
circa 1900Dimensions
Width
57 inDepth
3 inLength
19 ft