Serial number 147921 18

[D_Sabine]

Despite sharing a border with Maine, we don't see many Old Towns here in New Brunswick - in fact, I have never seen one 'in the flesh'. I was sent these photos of what I assume is an Old Town: diamond-head bolts, deck shape, etc. Would it be possible to get the build record?

 

[Benson Gray]

It is unusual how few Old Town canoes show up in eastern Canada. I don't know if it was due to a expensive customs duty or simple loyalty to local builders. The Old Town canoe with serial number 147921 is an 18 foot long, AA (or top) grade, guide model with white Maine cedar planking, open mahogany gunwales, a keel, a floor rack, and a bang plate along the full length of the keel. It was built between March and May, 1947. The original exterior paint color was dark green. It was shipped on May 14th, 1947 to North Sydney, Nova Scotia on route to Corner Brook Newfoundland. A scan showing this build record can be found by following the link at the attached thumbnail image below.

This scan and several hundred thousand more were created with substantial grants from the Wooden Canoe Heritage Association (WCHA) and others. A description of the project to preserve these records is available at http://www.wcha.org/ot_records/ if you want more details. 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/about-the-wcha/ to learn more about the WCHA and http://store.wcha.org/WCHA-New-Membership.html to join.

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

Benson