morris in ireland

[flyfisher]

I was looking for a wooden canoe to teach myself how to build a cedarstrip project, seen a wood canvas for sale liked the shape so bought it not

knowing which make it was. It has a splayed stem with a brass tag number 572, closed darkwood gunnels, heartshape deck, appears to have had

none of the origional rivets or nails replaced. From all the material researched I think I may be lucky to have found this canoe in Ireland. Unfortunately

I may have to replace the canvass but I bought it to learn more to begin with, would appreciate your help. Flyfisher

 

[Kathryn Klos]

How cool! I'd love to see pictures of this canoe. If the tag is on the stem and is a rectangle (with clipped corners) it may be missing some digits or the canoe could be a Veazie Canoe Company canoe, which is a Morris that was shipped factory-direct instead of sold through a dealer. At any rate, this canoe can teach us something!

 

[Dave Wermuth]

Cavassing is the easy part.

 

[flyfisher]

thank you for your reply I will post pictures soon, I am intrigued to identify the make and history of this beautiful craft. I cannot believe I am the owner of a work of art I just enjoy looking at it. Great website, all the information and advice is here plus the enthusiasm of members.

 

[flyfisher]

photos at last

some pictures to try to identify history of this canoe, canvas looks poor ribs and
planking appear sound though very dry from inside.

 

[H.E. Pennypacker]

Very nice! You're correct that it's made by Morris, but that's a new (to me) deck pattern. Search "Morris deck" and "Veazie deck" on these forums and you'll see a variety of other styles. Your canoe is in truly excellent condition despite the decaying canvas. You're very fortunate to have found the canoe and it's fortunate to that you - someone with great appreciation - found it.

- Horace

 

[Mark Adams]

Flyfisher,

I sent you a private message about possibly being available to help you re-canvas. Did you get it?

 

[Kathryn Klos]

Hello again!

This canoe is likely a Veazie, which is the Morris-built factory-direct canoe. I base this on the low serial number on a rectangular plate on the stem and the "keyhole" type deck. Your canoe has three pairs of cant ribs, and comparing it with other Morris-built canoes it would date no earlier than 1905 but possibly no later than the early 19-teens (the deck-style changes then to the curve used on later BN Morris canoes).

Veazie canoes commonly have maple decks, thwarts, and seat frames that are stained to look like mahogany-- although the trim could be mahogany if a buyer ordered that. Let me know what the trim might be. Gunwales are usually mahogany-stained spruce.

Yours is one of nine Veazie canoes in the database. It appears to be in great shape!

Kathy

 

[BCam]

Take Mark up on his offer!

Flyfisher,

I sent you a private message about possibly being available to help you re-canvas. Did you get it?

Mark helped me re-canvas my Morris replica and made it seem easy. If you can, I encourage you to take him up on his offer -- he knows what he's doing and is a great guy as well.

 

[flyfisher]

you are 100% right have onle started stripping varnish will most likely take 6 months