We are planning to build a settlers' flatboat (like the ones used by American pioneers) for a trip down to Natchez, Mississippi, in the spring of 2005. It will measure about 30' x 12'. Do any of you have any information on boat-building techniques of 200 years ago?
Some group has done that before, search for it and you should find some info... Also, clink this bateau link... I belive the boat you are talking about is called a bateau... An oversized Pirogue...
ReplyDeleteHiya FlatBoat, Did you find the information you were looking for? That flat foat cruise down the mississippi sounds like a blast. Where are you planning to put in? How long do you think it will take to reach Natchez? -Kruez-
ReplyDeleteAny flatboat trip is a time-travel adventure. The flatboat trip for the Spring of 2005 is planned to start in Nashville on the occasion of its 225th anniversary on Saturday, April 23. Then we will proceed down the Cumberland River, down the Ohio River, and down the Mississippi River, for a total of 830 miles. Our arrival in Natchez is timed to attend the National Park Service's official celebration on Saturday, May 21, 2005, of the completion of the paving of the Natchez Trace Parkway. From that event, some of our flatboat crew will set out on a hike of 444 miles along the entire Natchez Trace through Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee to return to Nashville. Schools are invited to follow our adventure as we send out our DAILY ADVENTURE UPDATES. The students will learn some American History, Geography, Social Studies, and Civics as they check out what is new on our site. Those who wish to crew should check out http://groups.msn.com/OldFlatboat, then ask me for a flyer to be sent in the mail. Highly-prized characterisitics of the crew are willingness to work as a team, interest in learning about a little-known part of American History: the one-way flatboat, eagerness to wear clothing in the style of 200 years ago, families as a group (or any group) booking a week as soon as possible so that I can schedule more school tours on board in our ports-of-call. The boat will be built in March by Captain John Cooper, whose previous flatboats were featured in National Geographic's hardback book Great American Journeys, on the front page of dozens of newspapers, and in museums in America. Each of his flatboats has been built using modern and safe techniques, as well as more and more historically-accurate manual-labor furnishings. We seek information from boat-builders on how to craft the treenails (trunnels) and on how to hammer oakum between the planks. Captain Bela K. Berty, flatboatman@hotmail.com
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