KENNEBEC build information request

bibwoss

Curious about Wooden Canoes
Kennebec #3139 measures over 15 ft and under 16 ft approximately 15'6". Closed gunwale and splayed stem. Don't know what you would call it for length. I have had it for about 40 years and use it regularly. Build information would be very interesting to me. Please help.
Thank you, Robert
 
Benson or Dan will reply with build record information, but the splayed stem may indicate your canoe began its life at the B.N. Morris factory. For reasons that are only speculative, throughout the years from 1910 to 1920 it seems Kennebec received hulls from Morris and finished them as Kennebec canoes.

Denis Kallery and I inspected one such Morris/Kennebec and made a video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yU2iyygvr8I

When measuring a canoe, imagine placing a board against the bow and another against the stern, each creating a 90 degree angle with the floor. Measure between these boards. In other words, you measure the farthest point at the bow end to the farthest point at the stern, but don't run the tape along the side of the canoe or you'll add the curve of the hull.

Pictures, please... :)

Kathy
 
My guess is that you probably have the Kennebec model that was considered 15 feet long since the Kineo special model with this number had sponsons like the ones shown at http://forums.wcha.org/showthread.php?t=3995 in Kathy's pictures.

The Kennebec canoe with serial number 3139 is shown on pages 102 and 103 of volume one in the Kennebec ledgers. This was assigned to an 15 foot long Kennebec model with spruce rails, ash stems, and cedar planking. It was planked by Adams(?) on January 22nd, 1910. It had 15 inch "a" decks which could be model A or ash. The 54 inch wide, number 10 canvas covering was applied by Phillips on January 29th, 1910. The first filler coat was applied by Blake on February 10th, 1910. The keel, braces (thwarts), and seats were "m" (mahogany?). It was railed by Knowlton(?) on October 8th, 1910. The original color was "B" (bright?) green. It was painted by Smith(?) on July 19, 1913. It was shipped to Gould on July 24th, 1913.

The scans of these build records can be found by following the links at the attached thumbnail images below. These 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) as you probably know well. 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.

More information about this and other Kennebec models can be found in the Kennebec catalogs contained on the Historic Wood Canoe and Boat Company Catalog Collection CDs available from http://www.wcha.org/catalog/ and http://www.dragonflycanoe.com/cdrom.htm on the web.

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

Benson
 

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Kathy, thanks for the reply. Yes I know how to measure it as you say but it is in a rack right now and inconvenient to remove. I did get one end with a drop line and streched the tape along the keel till I could do a real good approx. at the other end. I did a "preservation" restoration about 30 years ago - for continued use. I have done several. Steamed in a few ribs, re-canvas. It is still very "sharp". I will try for help with some pictures but I am NOT a computer person. Thanks, Robert
 
Hi Benson, I think you have it! The "m" though was mahogany. The thwarts, closed gunwale caps, and "seat" material was all mahogany. The decks are "heart" design and they and the stems are of ash. I got it over 40 years ago from the original purchaser and was the first to "violate" it. I did a "preservation" type restoration on it as I intended to continue with its regular use. Steamed in a few ribs, replaced the thwart and seats with ash, re-canvased with #10. Used mahogany for the gunwale caps and keel. Then painted "ice blue". Use it regularly and it is still beautiful and a pleasure to paddle. When I re-did it it was still "just a canoe". I will join WCHA. Thank you. Robert
 
Welcome to the WCHA, Robert! I think you'll find it's a great group... many of us discover we have more in common than wooden canoes.

Kathy
 
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