looking for serial # info

[Mary Thompson]

We have an old canoe, made by the Kennebec Boat and Canoe Co - serial #18182. Where do we go to find out info about this particular canoe? We are new to this website and perhaps need to look at another thread, but not sure where to go to get history of this canoe. Thanks. Mary

 

[Kathryn Klos]

Hi Mary

In general, your post will be found and read no matter where you put it... I think most regular users of this site will click on "new posts", which brings up anything they haven't read yet.

"Serial Number Search" is the best place to put the serial number of your canoe. Benson has the Kennebec records and will give you the construction details, including the date it was shipped.

You can learn more about the Kennebec Company in general by reading old posts here in Forums-- go to "search" above and type in "Kennebec". There are also a number of books that mention Kennebec Canoes, which can be found in the library or on Amazon or in the WCHA Store. I think Thurlow and Stelmok's "The Wood and Canvas Canoe" has good canoe-history. There may also be information in back issues of Wooden Canoe (the journal of the WCHA).

We like pictures, if you are able to share any!

Kathy

 

[Benson Gray]

The Kennebec canoe with serial number 18182 is shown on page 182 of volume three in the Kennebec ledgers. This was assigned to 18.5 foot long Kennebec Maine Guide model. There also may have been sponsons since there is an unreadable note in that column. It was planked by Morgan on November 8th, 1924. Tuttle canvased it on November 15th, 1924 and applied the first filler coat on November 24th, 1924. Ames added the rails on November 29th, 1924. The original color was dark green. It shipped on June 4th, 1925 to location "25-428". This location is probably an order number but we don't currently have enough information to identify it.

The scans of this build record 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). 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 join.

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

 

[Mary Thompson]

looking for serial # information

Thanks to Kathy and to Benson. Now we have something to go on. Happy day. Mary Thompson