Thursday, March 16, 2023

Historic Paddle Photo: Anishinaabe man making a paddle




Anishinaabe man making a paddle
Library and Archives of Canada
Item Number: 5319026
Date(s):1920
Place:Lac Seul (Ont.)
Photographer: Waugh, F. W. (Frederick Wilkerson), 1872-1924
Other accession no.: 1965-012 NPC


Anishinaabe man making a paddle
Library and Archives of Canada
Item Number: 5319027
Date(s):1920
Place:Lac Seul (Ont.)
Photographer: Waugh, F. W. (Frederick Wilkerson), 1872-1924
Other accession no.: 1965-012 NPC



Monday, January 30, 2023

Paddle Related Reading: Cabin Collectibles by Ralph R. Kylloe

Cabin collectibles by Ralph R. Kylloe (2000) is available to digitally borrow on Archive.org. The opening chapter discusses the use of paddles and canoes as decorative objects. The section is well illustrated with photos as well as as generic descriptions of grip styles...














Friday, January 20, 2023

Historic Photo: Wisconsin Ojibwa canoe and paddle

A historic canoe photo appeared in the rather eclectic exhibition H.H. Bennett, Lena Henke and Cars which ran at studio 1857, in Oslo, Norway back in 2012. It featured some framed photos taken by Henry Hamilton Bennett (1843 - 1908), famous for his captures of the unique topographical features of the Wisconsin Dells. 


 The original is kept in the Wisconsin Historical Society and includes the following description and details:

"Two men standing on the beach at Sugar Bowl, one carrying a canoe and paddle, the other holding a basket."
Image ID:7564
Bennett, H. H. (Henry Hamilton), 1843-1908
Lower Dells, Town of Delton, Sauk County.

The pose capturing a portage showcases a clear view of the unique stem-piece design typical of the Ojibwa of this region as well as a clear view of the paddle blade. 


The narrow blade ends abruptly at the lower shaft with two notched ends or "hard" shoulders. A similarly styled paddle (circa 1890) was featured earlier on the site. 


Ojibwa Indian Canoe Paddle A finely carved maple paddle with an early light green painted surface. It features a rolled-top handle with faceted details, and a stepped transition from blade to shaft. 
 Circa 1890
 4.5" w, 67" h 
Original Link



Friday, December 23, 2022

Possible Pre-Fire Chestnut Canoe

 Recently was able to acquire yet another cedar canvas canoe. This one might be indeed quite special.

The canoe belonged to a long time member of our cottage lake association and wanted it to go to another member willing to take on the restoration. It was picked up on a very snowy December evening  where it was being stored outdoors under a tarp. At the time, daytime light had faded so it was impossible to examine the details until the next morning while a winter storm raged on.   



Originally I was told it was a 16 foot Chestnut, but after proper measuring it is in fact 15 footer. 16 also typically had two thwarts rather than the single thwart found in this model.  The more remarkable thing is that the canoe is constructed with "closed gunnel" system involving a much thinner outwale attached by copper nails in addition to a rail cap giving the rails a more finished look. This type of construction method is found on early dated cedar canvas canoes and was later discontinued by most companies in favour of the "open gunnel" construction, a faster and easier method of canoe building. 

Researching early Chestnut catalogues reveal the closed gunnel method was built on all their 1st Grade Pleasure class canoes up until 1922. After 1925, this method of build was offered at no extra charge but the canoes in the catalogue were cited as being built with the open method. After 1928, no mention of closed rail construction appears in their company literature.


Thin outwales and a rail cap attached with copper nails


Furthermore, this 15 footer had one of the most narrow widths I've seen on for such a hull length. Most other 15 foot Pleasure class Chestnuts I've come across were had varying widths of 32-34 inches, getting wider as in the later years as the building forms changed. This one has dimensions of 15' x 31" x 11-1/2" deep.

Many folks are aware that the Chestnut factory burned in December of 1921 resulting in a complete loss of the original forms and patterns. As a result, hull shapes and dimensions significantly changed (and new models were created). Though it is yet to be confirmed by additional inspection, there is a chance that this canoe is a "pre-fire" Twozer model, making it relatively rare survivor. 

However, it is quite obvious that the canoe had undergone a restoration at some point. The canvas has started to tear at the gunnel line to reveal some of the planking underneath. This planking is secured with brass tacks as opposed to the copper fasteners that would've been used during the era. 



The decks are requisite heart-shape consistent with pre-fire Pleasure class canoes, but not heavily crowned or undercut and is a likely replacement. Certainly the Chestnut decal is a replacement as it looks too fresh.


The ends of the canoe are covered in a 3/8 wide brass stem band but it is secured with square head Robertson screws, rather than slot screws consistent with the time period. The single centre thwart is made from Birdseye maple but now has some serious cracks where it is attached to the gunnels. It is finely carved with rounded edges.


Overall the woodwork is in great shape. None of the ribs are cracked and just a few token pieces of planking appear damaged from the interior. Of course fully stripping the varnish and removing  the canvas might reveal more. A more thorough review will have to wait until the spring, but for now the canoe is protected in a heated garage.




Saturday, December 10, 2022

Swampy Cree Toy Paddle

Montreal's McCord-Stewart Museum collection includes a decorated model paddle with a painted blade. Although the maker in unknown, the paddle was collected from Moose Factory, James Bay

Swampy Cree Toy Paddle
Maker: Inconnu / Unknown
Date 1870-1878
Dimensions: 51.7 x 3.2 cm
Origin: Moose Factory, James Bay, Ontario, Canada
Numéro D'accession: M18577
Gift of Mrs. D. A. Murray





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