Log canoe
Encyclopedia
Sailboat
A sailboat or sailing boat is a boat propelled partly or entirely by sails. The term covers a variety of boats, larger than small vessels such as sailboards and smaller than sailing ships, but distinctions in the size are not strictly defined and what constitutes a sailing ship, sailboat, or a...
developed in the Chesapeake Bay
Chesapeake Bay
The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States. It lies off the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by Maryland and Virginia. The Chesapeake Bay's drainage basin covers in the District of Columbia and parts of six states: New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and West...
region. Based on the dugout
Dugout (boat)
A dugout or dugout canoe is a boat made from a hollowed tree trunk. Other names for this type of boat are logboat and monoxylon. Monoxylon is Greek -- mono- + ξύλον xylon -- and is mostly used in classic Greek texts. In Germany they are called einbaum )...
, it was the principal traditional fishing boat of the bay until superseded by the bugeye and the skipjack. However, it is most famous as a racing sailboat, and races continue to be held.
The history of the log canoe is closely tied to the development of the oyster
Oyster
The word oyster is used as a common name for a number of distinct groups of bivalve molluscs which live in marine or brackish habitats. The valves are highly calcified....
ing industry on the bay. In pre-power days, the log canoe was an inexpensive craft which could be assemble without recourse to shipbuilders; before the dredge
Scallop dredge
A fishing dredge, also known as a scallop dredge, oyster dredge, etc, is a kind of dredge which is towed along the bottom of the sea by a fishing boat in order to collect a targeted edible bottom-dwelling species. The gear is used to fish for scallops, oysters and other species of clams, crabs, and...
was made legal in 1865, the log canoe was sufficient to the needs of oyster tongers
Tongs
Tongs are used for gripping and lifting tools, of which there are many forms adapted to their specific use. Some are merely large pincers or nippers, but the greatest number fall into three classes:...
. It did not have the pulling power necessary for dredging, however, its log construction was combined with characteristics of other vessels to form the first bugeyes, a much larger and more powerful vessel. As motor power became available, watermen who were not dredging gradually abandoned sail power; also, the supplies of suitable timber were gradually exhausted. Log canoes were often converted to motor power, and new workboats (such as the Chesapeake Bay deadrise
Chesapeake Bay deadrise
The Chesapeake Bay deadrise is a type of traditional fishing boat used in the Chesapeake Bay. Watermen use these boats year round for everything from crabbing and oystering to catching fish or eels. Traditionally wooden hulled, the deadrise is characterised by a sharp bow that quickly becomes a...
) were motored from the start and used frame construction instead of logs. Many of the existing log canoes have suffered some conversion of this sort during their lifetimes.
Over the same period, however, the ad-hoc racing of canoes evolved into a semi-formal sport, and boats began being purpose-built for racing. From 1885 onward various clubs and associations sponsored organized races. This continues to the present, and racing canoes have been built as recently as 1974.
Hull construction
The typical log canoe is constructed from three to nine logs joined lengthwise and carved to form the lower portion of the hull. Additional height is obtained with smaller pieces fitted together and joined to the outermost (or "wing") logs. The resulting hull is sharp-sterned and shallow, and a centerboard is added which pierces the center (keel) log.Details of construction, particularly at the stem and stern, varied over the region. Also, Virginia boat builders did not use models, whereas most Maryland builders would start from a half-model of the hull. Surviving log canoes range in length from 27 to 35 ft. on-deck.
Rigging
Rigging varied considerably.Log canoes had one or two masts. Two-masted boats on the Chesapeake -- not just log canoes -- were often provided with a mast step to allow sailing with just one of the two sails.
Typical later log canoes were two-masted, resembling a modern ketch
Ketch
A ketch is a sailing craft with two masts: a main mast, and a shorter mizzen mast abaft of the main mast, but forward of the rudder post. Both masts are rigged mainly fore-and-aft. From one to three jibs may be carried forward of the main mast when going to windward...
rig. The masts were always steeply raked and unstayed, and the jib was flown from a bowsprit. The rigging of the sails themselves took several characteristic and unusual forms called a "sprit-boomed leg-of-mutton." The main and fore sail were not attached to the boom at the foot, but instead attached only at the clew. A tackle attached to the mast provided the force necessary to shape the sail. One advantage of the sprit boom is that the sail is self-vanging, that is, the boom does not rise or fall depending on the set of the sail. The sheeting force is less, because the sheet does not have to supply downward pull to control the boom as with a gaff-rigged boat.
This evolved further to the "goosewing" form, in which the sail became trapezoidal. The pointed clew was replaced by a vertical spar, called a club. The club attached to the aft end of the boom at its center. This allowed for more sail area between the masts than for a triangular sail.
The rigging of the jib was similarly unusual, but followed 19th century working-boat practice. There are several terms for a jib with a boom on the foot: balanced jib, club-footed jib, and self-tending jib.
On a club-footed jib, the foot was attached on a spar, and the balance point of this spar attached to the end of the bowsprit with a line or fixture. This allowed for a larger jib which could serve as something akin to a spinnaker
Spinnaker
A spinnaker is a special type of sail that is designed specifically for sailing off the wind from a reaching course to a downwind, i.e. with the wind 90°–180° off the bow. The spinnaker fills with wind and balloons out in front of the boat when it is deployed, called flying. It is constructed of...
when running.
Working sailors were less worried about the spinnaker effect than the fact that a properly trimmed balanced jib doesn't need any quick sheeting when tacking: hence the term "self-tending."
A final characteristic feature was the use of hiking boards
Hiking (sailing)
thumb|350px|A sailing canoe with crew hiking out on the outrigger, in Ailuk Lagoon, [[Marshall Islands]].In sailing, hiking is the action of moving the crew's body weight as far to windward as possible, in order to decrease the extent the boat heels...
to keep the boat from overturning. These were long, flat boards which hooked at one end under the cockpit and stuck sideways over the opposite gunwale. Crewmembers climb out onto these boards to counterbalance the force of the sails, thus preventing the boat from heeling over. These were particularly important to racing canoes, whose sail area and lack of ballast made them hopelessly tender without these measures.
Maryland
- Billie P. HallBillie P. Hall (log canoe)The Billie P. Hall is a Chesapeake Bay log canoe, built in 1903, by Charles Tarr. She is a 33'-11 3/4" sailing log canoe in the racing fleet. She is a 34'-2" sailing log canoe with two masts and a racing rig...
, Talbot County, MarylandTalbot County, Maryland-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*81.4% White*12.8% Black*0.2% Native American*1.2% Asian*0.1% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*1.6% Two or more races*2.7% Other races*5.5% Hispanic or Latino -2000:... - Edmee S.Edmee S. (log canoe)The Edmee S. is a Chesapeake Bay log canoe. She was built in the Tilghman Island style from hewn logs by Oliver Duke in the 1930's. She is one of the last 22 Chesapeake Bay racing log canoes, and is actively raced with a crew of nine to eleven people. Her original name was Cecilia Mae, but was...
, Talbot County, MarylandTalbot County, Maryland-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*81.4% White*12.8% Black*0.2% Native American*1.2% Asian*0.1% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*1.6% Two or more races*2.7% Other races*5.5% Hispanic or Latino -2000:... - Flying CloudFlying Cloud (log canoe)The Flying Cloud is a Chesapeake Bay log canoe, built in 1932, by John B. Harrison in Tilghman, Maryland. She is built with carvel-fitted rising planks, a clipper bow, and a sharp stern. She measures 34'-11" long with a beam of 8'-8½". The boat is privately owned and races under the No. 22...
, Talbot County, MarylandTalbot County, Maryland-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*81.4% White*12.8% Black*0.2% Native American*1.2% Asian*0.1% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*1.6% Two or more races*2.7% Other races*5.5% Hispanic or Latino -2000:... - Island BirdIsland Bird (log canoe)The Island Bird is a Chesapeake Bay log canoe, built in 1882, by William Sidney Covington in Tilghman, Maryland. She is a sailing log canoe with a racing rig, a sharp stem with a longhead bow, and a sharp, raking stern. She is one of the smallest boats in the active racing fleet, with a beam of...
, Talbot County, MarylandTalbot County, Maryland-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*81.4% White*12.8% Black*0.2% Native American*1.2% Asian*0.1% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*1.6% Two or more races*2.7% Other races*5.5% Hispanic or Latino -2000:... - Island BlossomIsland Blossom (log canoe)The Island Blossom is a Chesapeake Bay log canoe, built in 1892, by William Sidney Covington in Tilghman, Maryland. She is a sailing log canoe with a beam of . Double-ended, her bow is sharp with a straight, slightly raking stem and a longhead, and she has a sharp stern. The canoe is privately...
, Talbot County, MarylandTalbot County, Maryland-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*81.4% White*12.8% Black*0.2% Native American*1.2% Asian*0.1% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*1.6% Two or more races*2.7% Other races*5.5% Hispanic or Latino -2000:... - Island ImageIsland Image (log canoe)The Island Image is a Chesapeake Bay log canoe, built in 1885 at Elliot's Island, Maryland, by Herman Jones and Isaac Moore. She is 29'-8½" long with a beam of 5-10¼", and has a straight, raking stem and a sharp stern. It is privately owned, and races under No. 17...
, Kent County, MarylandKent County, MarylandKent County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maryland, on its Eastern Shore. It was named for the county of Kent in England. Its county seat is Chestertown. In 2010, the county population was 20,197... - Island LarkIsland Lark (log canoe)The Island Lark is a Chesapeake Bay log canoe, built in 1901 and restored by John Chamberlin in 1971, She is a 34'-11" sailing log canoe with a racing rig. She has a beam of 6'-9 1/8". She is double-ended with a sharp, raking stem, longhead bow, and sharp stern. Privately owned the canoe is raced...
, Talbot County, MarylandTalbot County, Maryland-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*81.4% White*12.8% Black*0.2% Native American*1.2% Asian*0.1% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*1.6% Two or more races*2.7% Other races*5.5% Hispanic or Latino -2000:... - Jay DeeJay Dee (log canoe)The Jay Dee is a Chesapeake Bay log canoe, built in 1931, by John B. Harrison in Tilghman, Maryland, She is long with a beam of , and built of five logs. She one of the last 22 surviving traditional Chesapeake Bay racing log canoes that carry on a tradition of racing on the Eastern Shore of...
, Talbot County, MarylandTalbot County, Maryland-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*81.4% White*12.8% Black*0.2% Native American*1.2% Asian*0.1% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*1.6% Two or more races*2.7% Other races*5.5% Hispanic or Latino -2000:... - MagicMagic (log canoe)The Magic is a Chesapeake Bay log canoe, built in 1894, by Charles Tarr in St. Michaels, Maryland, She measures 34'-3 5/8" long with a beam of 6'-11". She served as a commercial oystering vessel until 1924 when she was returned to her sailing rig. After her conversion Magic proved to be one of...
, Talbot County, MarylandTalbot County, Maryland-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*81.4% White*12.8% Black*0.2% Native American*1.2% Asian*0.1% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*1.6% Two or more races*2.7% Other races*5.5% Hispanic or Latino -2000:... - MysteryMystery (log canoe)The Mystery is a Chesapeake Bay log canoe, built in 1932, by Harry Sinclair in Oxford, Maryland. She measures 34'-7" long, has a beam of 8'-8 1/2" and has a centerboard. She is noted for her very tall masts, is privately owned, and races under No. 8. The...
, Queen Anne's County, MarylandQueen Anne's County, MarylandQueen Anne's County is a county located on the Eastern Shore of the U.S. state of Maryland.As of 2010, the population was 47,798. Its county seat and most populous municipality is Centreville. The census-designated place of Stevensville is the county's most populous place... - NoddyNoddy (log canoe)The Noddy is a Chesapeake Bay log canoe, built in 1930, by Oliver Duke in Royal Oak, Maryland, She measures 27'-6" long, with a beam of 6'-4 1/2". Her log hull remains unglassed, is painted white, and she races under No. 1...
, Talbot County, MarylandTalbot County, Maryland-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*81.4% White*12.8% Black*0.2% Native American*1.2% Asian*0.1% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*1.6% Two or more races*2.7% Other races*5.5% Hispanic or Latino -2000:... - Oliver's GiftOliver's Gift (log canoe)The Oliver's Gift is a Chesapeake Bay log canoe, built in 1947, by Oliver Duke. She measures 30'-7" long, has a beam of 7'-3". She one of the last 22 surviving traditional Chesapeake Bay racing log canoes that carry on a tradition of racing on the Eastern Shore of Maryland that has existed since...
, Anne Arundel County, MarylandAnne Arundel County, MarylandAnne Arundel County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maryland. It is named for Anne Arundell , a member of the ancient family of Arundells in Cornwall, England and the wife of Cæcilius Calvert, 2nd Baron Baltimore. Its county seat is Annapolis, which is also the capital of the state... - PatriciaPatricia (log canoe)The Patricia is a Chesapeake Bay log canoe, built in 1942, by Oliver Duke. She measures 27'-4" long, has a beam of 6'-4 3/4", a slightly hollow longhead bow, and a sharp stern. Painted white, the canoe races under the no...
, Dorchester County, MarylandDorchester County, MarylandDorchester County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maryland on its Eastern Shore. It is bordered by the Choptank River to the north, Talbot County to the northwest, Caroline County to the northeast, Wicomico County to the southeast, Sussex County, Delaware, to the east, and the Chesapeake... - PersistencePersistence (log canoe)The Persistence is a Chesapeake Bay log canoe, built in the 1890s, possibly by John B. Harrison in Tilghman, Maryland. She measures 32'-4 1/2" long, with a beam of 6'-11 1/2" and is double-ended with no longhead on her bow...
, Talbot County, MarylandTalbot County, Maryland-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*81.4% White*12.8% Black*0.2% Native American*1.2% Asian*0.1% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*1.6% Two or more races*2.7% Other races*5.5% Hispanic or Latino -2000:... - RoverRover (log canoe)The Rover is a Chesapeake Bay log canoe, built about 1886, probably in Chester, Maryland by the Thompson brothers. She measures 28'-1" with a 6'-4" beam. She has a longhead bow, braced back to the hull, and a sharp stern. She is privately owned and races under No. 11 in Eastern Shore competition...
, Talbot County, MarylandTalbot County, Maryland-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*81.4% White*12.8% Black*0.2% Native American*1.2% Asian*0.1% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*1.6% Two or more races*2.7% Other races*5.5% Hispanic or Latino -2000:... - SandySandy (log canoe)The Sandy is a Chesapeake Bay log canoe. She measures is a 28'-1" long sailing log canoe with two masts and a racing rig. Log-built, with carvel-fitted rising planks, the boat has a beam of 6'-8". She one of the last 22 surviving traditional Chesapeake Bay racing log canoes that carry on a...
, Talbot County, MarylandTalbot County, Maryland-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*81.4% White*12.8% Black*0.2% Native American*1.2% Asian*0.1% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*1.6% Two or more races*2.7% Other races*5.5% Hispanic or Latino -2000:... - S. C. Dobson, Kent County, MarylandKent County, MarylandKent County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maryland, on its Eastern Shore. It was named for the county of Kent in England. Its county seat is Chestertown. In 2010, the county population was 20,197...
- Silver HeelSilver Heel (log canoe)The Silver Heel is a Chesapeake Bay log canoe, built in 1902, in Kent County, Maryland by Eugene Thompson for John Wesley Dickinson. She is a 33'-11" sailing log canoe in the racing fleet. She has a beam of 7'-3/4". She has a clipper bow, with the longhead braced to serve as a bowsprit, and a...
, Kent County, MarylandKent County, MarylandKent County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maryland, on its Eastern Shore. It was named for the county of Kent in England. Its county seat is Chestertown. In 2010, the county population was 20,197...