The Archaeology of Vernacular Watercraft (When the Land Meets the Sea)

This volume presents multiple idiographic, archaeological studies of vernacular watercraft from North America and the Caribbean. Rather than attempt to synthesize all vernacular types, this volume focuses on ship construction data recovered through archaeological investigations that has been used to make inferences about culture. This collection of case studies, including many examples from cultural resource management and graduate student theses, presents a thematic exploration of cultural adaptation as expressed through ship construction. Foreword 6 Contents 10 Contributors 12 Chapter 1: Vernacular Watercraft: In Concept and in Practice 15 Introduction 15 Vernacular as Concept 15 Vernacular in Practice 16 Vernacular Watercraft in Culture History 16 Vernacular Watercraft in Archaeology 18 References 20 Chapter 2: Improvise, Adapt, Overcome: Vernacular Boats as Environmental Adaptations 22 Introduction 22 Ships as Cultural Artifacts 23 Colonial Technology 24 Agency and Cultural Ecology 26 Maritime Technology and the Caribbean 27 Conclusion 29 References 29 Chapter 3: The Caymanian Catboat 32 References 40 Chapter 4: The Bergantín, a Little Known Craft from the Early Spanish Period in the New World 41 Introduction 41 The Architecture of the Bergantín 43 Building Two Bergantines in Puerto Rico 46 Bergantines in the Carib Wars 52 The Bergantín as Transport 54 The Bergantín in the Discovery and Reconnaissance of Nueva España 54 Bergantines in the Conquest of Nueva España 56 Conclusions 62 References 63 Chapter 5: Expressions of a Dying Tradition: Vernacular Watercraft in Apalachicola, Florida 64 Introduction 64 History of the Northern Gulf Coast and Apalachicola 66 Vernacular Watercraft of Apalachicola 67 Porter Lake Steamer (8FR916) 67 Porter Lake Barge (8FR917) 69 Gibby’s Boat (8GU122) 69 Saul’s Creek Boat (8GU121) 70 Ingram Creek Steamboat (8GU123) 71 Ballast Cove Wreck A (8FR903) 72 Conclusions 73 References 74 Chapter 6: Some Assembly Required: The Analysis and Reassembly of the Larkin Boat, a Vernacular Watercraft Recovered from Gregory Mill Creek in Liberty County, Florida 76 Introduction 76 Discovery and Conservation 77 Recording, Pre-2002 79 The 2002 Project: Recording and Reassembly 79 Recording Methodology 80 Reassembly Methodology 86 Analysis 90 Bottom Planks 90 Frames 90 Intercostal Keelson 92 Ceiling Plank 93 Side Planks 93 Thwart Risers and Seats 94 Transoms 94 Tool Marks 95 Fasteners 96 Paddle 96 Wood Samples 97 Discussion and Conclusion 97 References 107 Chapter 7: Born on the Bayou: Louisiana’s Vernacular Constructed Watercraft 110 Introduction 110 Pirogues and Canoes 113 Pirogue 113 Planked Pirogue 115 Canoe 118 Rafts 118 Raft 118 Bundle Craft 119 Keelless, Flat-Bottomed Craft 119 Bateau 119 Chaland 121 Radeau 121 Scow 121 Flatboat 122 Barge 124 Skiff 125 Yawl 127 Keeled Boats 128 Keelboat 128 Barge 129 Longboat 129 Launch 130 Chaloup 130 Pinnace 131 Yawl 131 Cutter 131 Felouque 131 Sailing and Motorized Vessels 132 Schooner 133 Sloop 133 Lugger 134 Trawler 135 References 136 Chapter 8: The Watercraft of Castle Island, Washington, North Carolina 139 Introduction 139 Project Location and Environment 142 Description of Findings 144 Vessels One and Two 144 Vessel Three 148 Vessel Four 149 Vessel Five 152 Vessel Six 153 Vessel Seven 154 Vessel Eight 155 Vessel Nine 157 Vessel Ten 158 Vessel Eleven 159 Conclusion 162 References 164 Chapter 9: The Shallop of Hart’s Cove 167 Introduction 167 References 174 Chapter 10: Cultural Transmissions of the “Biscayne Shallop” in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, 1560–1750 175 Introduction 175 The Two Shallops 177 The Problem of Transatlantic Maritime Transmissions 182 The Basque Whaling Chalupa 184 The Shallop in the Native Sphere 187 Shallops and Early “Canadians” 188 The Colonial Chaloupe in Québec City, 1663–1714 191 Conclusion 194 References 195 Chapter 11: The Batteau Plat of New France: Its Origin, Construction, and Design 198 Introduction 198 Building Contracts and Literature 200 The Batteau Plat Remains 201 Origin and Evolution of the Batteau Plat 204 The Batteau Plat Design 205 Wide Board Craft and Power Mill Development 208 Conclusion 210 References 211 Chapter 12: Vernacular Craft of the North American Great Lakes 213 Introduction, 30 Years Research in Retrospective 213 Books and Published Reports 215 ECU Theses 215 ECU and Sponsor Supported Collaborative Reports 217 Wisconsin Historical Society Reports (Partial Listing) 217 Historical and Geographical Background 219 Great Lakes’ Ship Types 219 Steamers 221 Grain Schooners 223 Canal Schooners 224 Scow Schooners 227 Steam Barges 227 Bulk Carriers 231 Passenger/Freight Propeller 233 Conclusion 235 References 236 Chapter 13: The Support System for Riverine Trade in the United States 239 Introduction 239 Economic and Demographic Development Along the Inland Waterways of the Midwest 241 Examples of River-Based Growth Patterns 244 Support Structures 247 Excursion (Tourist) Trade 250 Archaeological Manifestations 252 Conclusion 257 References 259 Chapter 14: The Mini-Fleet of Emerald Bay: Recreational Vernacular Watercraft 262 Introduction 262 Rise and Fall of the Emerald Bay Resort/Camp 264 Remnants of the Emerald Bay Resort/Camp 266 EBMF01 Fishing Boat with Bait Well 269 EBMF02 Kayak 271 EBMF03 Y-back Rowboat 272 EBMF04 Hard Chine Fishing Boat 273 EBMF05 Lapstrake Motorboat 274 EBMF06 Sailboat 275 Conclusion 277 References 278 Chapter 15: Getting a Handle on the Georgia Strait Handliner, a Vernacular Boat from British Columbia 279 Introduction 279 The Handline Fishery in the Strait of Georgia 281 Surviving Handliners 282 Comparative Analysis 284 Discussion 289 Living Heritage 292 Conclusion 292 Acknowledgements I would like to acknowledge the assistance of funds granted by the British Columbia Heritage Trust in support of the Museum Small Craft of the West Coast Fisheries Research and Documentation Project, a project supported by the Britan 293 References 293 Index 295 Front Matter....Pages i-xiii Vernacular Watercraft: In Concept and in Practice....Pages 1-7 Improvise, Adapt, Overcome: Vernacular Boats as Environmental Adaptations....Pages 9-18 The Caymanian Catboat....Pages 19-27 The Bergantín, a Little Known Craft from the Early Spanish Period in the New World....Pages 29-51 Expressions of a Dying Tradition: Vernacular Watercraft in Apalachicola, Florida....Pages 53-64 Some Assembly Required: The Analysis and Reassembly of the Larkin Boat, a Vernacular Watercraft Recovered from Gregory Mill Creek in Liberty County, Florida....Pages 65-98 Born on the Bayou: Louisiana’s Vernacular Constructed Watercraft....Pages 99-127 The Watercraft of Castle Island, Washington, North Carolina....Pages 129-156 The Shallop of Hart’s Cove....Pages 157-164 Cultural Transmissions of the “Biscayne Shallop” in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, 1560–1750....Pages 165-187 The Batteau Plat of New France: Its Origin, Construction, and Design....Pages 189-203 Vernacular Craft of the North American Great Lakes....Pages 205-230 The Support System for Riverine Trade in the United States....Pages 231-253 The Mini-Fleet of Emerald Bay: Recreational Vernacular Watercraft....Pages 255-271 Getting a Handle on the Georgia Strait Handliner, a Vernacular Boat from British Columbia....Pages 273-288 Back Matter....Pages 289-291 Vernacular Watercraft : In Concept And In Practice -- Improvise, Adapt, Overcome : Vernacular Boats As Environmental Adaptations -- The Caymania Catboat -- The Bergatín, A Little Known Craft From The Early Spanish Period In The New World -- Expressions Of A Dying Tradition : Vernacular Watercraft In Apalachicola, Florida -- Some Assembly Required : The Analysis And Reassembly Of The Larkin Boat, A Vernacular Watercraft Recovered From Gregory Mill Creek In Liberty County, Florida -- Born On The Bayou : Louisiana's Vernacular Constructed Watercraft -- The Watercraft Of Castle Island, Washington, North Carolina -- The Shallop Of Hart's Cove -- Cultural Transmissions Of The Biscayne Shallop In The Gulf Of St. Lawrence, 1560-1750 -- The Batteau Plat Of New France : Its Origin, Construction, And Design -- Vernacular Craft Of The North American Great Lakes -- The Support System For The Riverine Trade In The United States -- The Mini-fleet Of Emerald Bay : Recreational Vernacular Watercraft -- Getting A Handle On The Georgia Strait Handlines, A Vernacular Boat From British Columbia. Amanda M. Evans, Editor. Includes Bibliographic References And Index.