Kennebec Canoe S/N

[David Miller]

Purchased a Kennebec 16' canoe off Craig's list last week? Serial No. 16 50276. It has the heart shaped deck and the short rail caps but no decal or evidence of a metal plate (no nail holes in deck). Any assistance of the model and grade would be appreciated. Thanks, Dave

 

[Benson Gray]

Congratulations, you have found a very rare canoe. Kennebec placed serial number 50276 on a 16 foot long canoe that was built for B. N. Morris after his factory burned in 1919. This number is shown on page 266 of volume four in the Kennebec ledgers. It was assigned to a Morris model that was planked by Roy on May 2nd, 1925. The canvas covering was added by Tuttle and the first filler coat was put on by Leonard on the same day. The second filler coat was applied by Roy on May 28th, 1927. There is no other information listed about how it was finished, painted, or shipped. The scans of these build records can be found by following the links at the attached thumbnail images below. The original Kennebec records are reproduced through the courtesy of the Maine State Museum.

The microfilms and scans of these records were created with substantial grants from the Wooden Canoe Heritage Association (WCHA). I hope that you will join or renew your membership to the WCHA so that services like this can continue. See http://www.wcha.org/wcha/ to learn more about the WCHA and http://www.wcha.org/join.php to renew.

It is also possible that you could have another number or manufacturer if this description doesn't match the canoe. There are several people here who are interested in Morris canoes so you will probably be hearing from them soon. Feel free to reply here if you have any other questions.

Benson

 

[David Miller]

Benson,

Thanks for the information. I have attached a few pictures of the canoe and on the stern deck there is evidence of a missing ID tag. Any comments on restoration tactics would be appreciated.

 

[Benson Gray]

Any comments on restoration tactics would be appreciated.

No restoration may be necessary if it doesn't leak too badly now (or after some new paint). It is your canoe, what do you want to do with it? One of the local chapters listed at http://www.wcha.org/local-area-chapters/ may be able to offer better suggestions. Good luck and let us know what you decide,

Benson

 

[Dave Osborn]

if you have time, bring the canoe to the WCHA Annual Assembly in Paul Smiths New York.
The theme/focus this year is Kennebec!! There will be 300+ minds to pick for what to do with your canoe!
Not to mention restoration courses, etc...