BARK CANOES & SKIN BOATS PB (Bulletin (United States National Museum), 230.) (Paperback)

by Adney E (Author)
Key Phrases: main gunwales, gunwale members, inches extreme beam, National Museum, Têtes de Boule, Hudson's Bay Company (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The bark canoes of the North American Indians, particularly those of birchbark, were among the most highly developed manually propelled primitive watercraft. Built with Stone Age tools from available materials, their design, size, and appearance were varied to suit the many requirements of their users. Even today, canoes are based on these ancient designs, and this fascinating guide combines historical background with instructions for constructing one. Author Edwin Tappan Adney, born in 1868, devoted his life to studying canoes and was practically the sole scholar in his field. His papers and research have been assembled by a curator at the Smithsonian Institution, and illustrated with black-and-white line drawings, diagrams, and photos.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

Edwin Tappan Adney (July 13, 1868 in Athens, Ohio - October 10, 1950) was an artist, a writer, a photographer and the man credited with saving the art of birch bark canoe construction. He built more than 100 models of different types, which are now housed at the Mariners' Museum in Newport News, VA. He authored a book, The Klondike Stampede about the Klondike Gold Rush.

He was one of the first photojournalists to pass safely through British Columbia. As a writer for Harper's Weekly, he was sent with his camera to the Yukon from 1897 to 1898. His classic illustrated book concerns his experiences in the Yukon, of which numerous editions have been printed. He returned there to briefly report on the Nome Gold Rush in 1900. He retired first to Montreal, then to New Brunswick, the place where his wife was born.

Howard Irving Chapelle (1901 – 1975) was curator of maritime history at the Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.. In addition, he authored many books and articles books on maritime history and marine architecture.
--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 242 pages
• Publisher: Smithsonian (March 17, 1983)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1560982969
• ISBN-13: 978-1560982968
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,494,930 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Classic Work on Bark and Skin Craft, December 20, 2000

By	"canoe112" (14,000+) - See all my reviews

All modern students of bark and skin boats begin with this book. The intial work on the native watercraft of North America.

While the book does not cover the watercraft of all North American First Nations, it does provide a broad range of information on craft from many Nations across the continent.

This book is highy recommended to anyone interested in the history of canoes or kayaks as developed on the North American continent.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bark Canoes and Skin Boats of North America, February 10, 2008

By	Roger D. Koseruba - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Bark Canoes and Skin Boats of North America (Paperback)

This is a must book if you are building a Birch Bark Canoe. It is the holy graille or encyclopaedia for building canoe's. Fantastic book.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bark Canoes and Skin Boats, March 31, 2008

By	R. Hinter "Bushman Inc." (Alberta, Canada) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Bark Canoes and Skin Boats of North America (Paperback)

Excellent book! Loads of info and history on the watercraft. I am happy I spent the money fir a research book I will get allot of use from. ...Ross