Speaking of old boats

[Brad Bortner]

Friday, I was at the museum at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Conservation Training Center and spied a newly donated artifact that had just been delivered. This boat was donated by the Winous Point Shooting Club, which is the oldest continuously operating duck club in the US. It was founded in 1856. http://thebeacon.net/local-news/ott...club-and-the-marsh-conservancy-by-donna-lueke. It has kept harvest records since the end of the Civil War http://fresc.usgs.gov/products/papers/377_Kroll.pdf.

The club has just donated this boat to the FWS and the historian has not a chance to research it at all. He said he thought it was a punt gun boat, which I dooubt from the history of Winous Point. Anyone know? I knew that the readers here could save him a bunch of time. Please share your thoughts and knowledge. I apologize for the cellphone pictures and the operator error.

I am going to assume that the bow is the end with the narrower cockpit combing.

Those weren't 28 gauge cartridges.

What sort of brackets do you think these are? Removable caned seat?

Ice damage under the bow?

Ice damage under stern.

 

[Duane G]

Brad, It sure looks like the punt boats from WPSC. I know the punt pole was made at and branded at WPSC, as you can see in your picture. I don't think they used boat punt guns at Winous, but market gunners in the area may have. All the punt boats presently used at WPSC have a removable seat that is not attached to the boat. While I have never looked in the real old boats in the boat house, as they are stacked up high and a ladder would be needed to see into them, I plan on doing just that the next time I am there.

The metal bracket in your picture is used to attach oars. These oars were/are oscillating....for lack of a better term. When you row them, you can see where you are going. Not like normally rowing a boat. Makes for easy navigation.

Have your historian contact John Simpson, manager of WPSC, his email addy is on the first link you posted.

The history book of Winous is a great read. I have seen them on ebay for around $80 bucks. It would be another place to glean history about this wonderful place.

 

[JEG]

The brackets you refer to are for forward facing oarlocks. Had a chance to use a Winous boat with a set many, many moons ago. Takes a little getting use to, but a lot of fun and really practical, when you think about it.

 

[jode hillman]

Brad, very cool boat. Not sure what type of boat winous point used, but the size and shape look like alot like a boat used on and around south jersey and Pennsylvania known as a Delaware ducker, but it doesn't look like there is any mast step on your boat.

 

[Duane G]

Brad, here is a video Hitch posted a few weeks ago. Punt boat building at Winous Point.

Assit manager Opie Roher does the talking. http://vimeo.com/61932892