Carleton canoe serial # 17 11965

[PGC]

I bought this canoe from a private owner on Lake Waramaug in CT about 20 years ago. It was fiberglassed with rough webbed seats, but basically useable. Since then, it has been in a barn. I am now starting a restoration and am looking for information before I start in.

 

[Benson Gray]

Welcome and congratulations, the Carleton canoe with serial number 11965 is a 17 foot long, CS (Common Sense or middle) grade, Carleton model with western red cedar planking, closed spruce gunwales, ash decks, ash thwarts, ash seats, and a keel. It was built between February and March, 1916. The original exterior paint color was dark green. It shipped on May 19th, 1916 to New York City. (Macy's sold the Old Town line at this time so other dealers in the area sold the Carleton line.) A scan of this build record can be found by following the link at the thumbnail image attached below.



This scan and several hundred thousand more were created with substantial grants from the Wooden Canoe Heritage Association (WCHA) and others. A description of the project to preserve these records is available at http://www.wcha.org/catalogs/old-town/records/ if you want more details. I hope that you will donate, join or renew your membership to the WCHA so that services like this can continue. See http://www.wcha.org/about-wcha to learn more about the WCHA and http://www.wcha.org/store/membership to join.

It is also possible that you could have another number or manufacturer if this description doesn't match your canoe. Feel free to reply here if you have any other questions. Good luck with the restoration,

Benson

 

[PGC]

Thanks very much for the information. It’s particularly helpful to know that the closed gunnels are original as they are in reasonable condition and can be saved. I have joined WCHA and look forward to being an active member.