NORTH CANOE or CANOT DU NORTH: A French later British fur traders canoe. Used on the waterways to small and shallow for the similar but larger “canot du maitre”.
Worked into the early 20th century.
Cover of birch bark, sewn with split spruce roots and caulked with spruce and pine gum.
Bottom narrow and flattened, no keel; sides straight, flared, and tumble home on some.
Sheer swept up slightly towards ends, then curved up sharply to inner stem and sternpost. Shape of curvature at the ends varied with locale, being modified to compare with local Indian types.
Hardwood ribs capped by gunwales that extended beyond curved ends. Split cedar flooring. Those of the Hudson Bay Company had bright blue designs painted on the sides.
When running with the wind, a temporary square sail might be raised, but mainly paddled; those in the middle sat 2 to a thwart; bow and stern-men stood while paddling, using a longer paddle.
Averaged 8 in crew; portaged by 2 men; when running with a minimum load as a canot léger, crew numbered 8-10.
Reported lengths 6 – 11m, widths 1.2 – 1.8m, depths 0.6 – 0.9m.
Canada 1990 39c sg1380, scott1269.
From: Aak to Zumbra, a Dictionary of the World’s Watercraft.