My apologies for only having been intermittently engaged in these discussions over the past several months, and for not having responded to several points or questions put. Personal issues intervened. I have gone back and reviewed some things I missed, and might have commented on.
There was earlier discussion about possible Indigenous influences on the Chestnut brothers when originating their canoes. Benson noted that Ken Solway mentions in his book that there was a Malecite source, possibly Peter Joseph, whereas Roger MacGregor was uncertain whether the Chestnuts had ever met Peter Joseph. A recent happening has, I believe, put to rest any question of doubt about such influence and solidified the certainty of just such a friendly relationship.
On December 5th this year, the auction house of Waddington's, Toronto, offered for sale three Maliseet (Malecite) paddles, dated 1898/99; one was inscribed "WM T Chestnut" while the other two were inscribed "Ida", his wife. The paddles were hand made by a master carver; Waddington's did not ascribe a maker's name, but the connection and familiarity are definitely established. See photos attached.
Secondly, Glenn MacGrady took issue with some of my input on the use of canvas coverings in early canoe construction, and posed several questions, many concerning dates. I belatedly offer some answers in explanation. I first hasten to point out that I was referring to the application of canvas, textile and birch veneer coverings to all-wood canoe hulls, not to those of ribbed/plank construction. It is now much more clear to me the relevant importance of this distinction in the case as put by Glenn. My regrets if I clouded the discussion. My comments were in relation mostly to the experiments in canvas applications to wooden canoe hulls as made by John Stephenson, in 1878/9 and slightly earlier by Daniel Herald in 1871. Those dates are established by registered Patent records. I had also related the tale of George Stephenson (son of John) taking with him the old man's intellectual property knowledge when he went south to New York and New England. John Stephenson was one of the first to build "board canoes" in the Peterborough area, beginning about 1858. After perfecting his board and batten style, then inventing his "Vertical Rib" and "longitudinal cedar strip" canoes, Old John sold his patents and canoe-making enterprise in 1883 to Col. Rogers, who founded Ontario Canoe Co. George had worked with his father, learning the trade for some of this time. John stayed on at Ontario Canoe in a supervisory manner for its first few years; George stayed on as a builder, but in 1885 was lured away by J R Robertson, who took him to Auburndale, MA, where he worked with H V Partelow and others before moving to Maine. Apparently, he was introduced to or also met J H Rushton and more. Gerry Stephenson (1938-2003), grandson of old John, wrote about his grandfather's work in an occasional paper prepared for the Peterborough Historical Society. In it, he mentioned having personally seen several of his grandfather's "Vertical (Patent) Rib" style canoes bearing canvas coverings, as described in the 1879 patent. This was surprising to many, because the fairly scarce examples known don't seem to show up (or show evidence of ever being) covered in canvas. The full collection of Gerry's historical information is preserved at the Trent Valley Archives.
I had also made mention (and provided photos) of two of the four 30" cedar plank samples made by Old John. These are ribbed canoes, albeit the ribs are quite wide with relatively narrow spacing between. Three of the four are covered in 1" wide extremely thin birch bark veneer. It is my firm belief that these were made as "patent demonstration" pieces. I suggest they date to the late 1870's. It is certain that they can be no later than 1892 because one of them is referred to in correspondence from that time. It is a bit curious that they are of ribbed/plank construction, given that Stephenson's 1879 patent application deals mainly with his "Vertical Rib" canoe, which these models are not. (The "Vertical" or "Patent Rib" canoe is one layer of tongue and groove ribs running transversely from gunnel to gunnel and held in place by only 5 longitudinal elements - keel/keelson, the two gunnel rails and two internal bilge stringers.) And the covering on 3 of the models is birch veneer, not canvas. However, textiles and bark veneers are described in the patent application as a means invented to 'leakproof' wooden canoes; that was the essence of what Stephenson was seeking to achieve and what he was seeking recognition for.
Overall, it seems that many different folks in numerous places and at varying times were each trying to build a better, drier canoe. It was a very competitive world, and we have all benefitted from their enterprise and efforts. Thanks to those who have added to the discussions herein. Makes for a fun and enlightening read. Cheers all.
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