102 BULLETIN 127, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM, 



RIVER CRAFT. 



Model of Ohio River flatboat. 



The model represents a square-ended, flat-bottomed scow, built of 

 hewn logs fastened together with treenails ; covered with a rectangu- 

 lar house built of boards or planks, with two small square windows 

 on each side, and three double hatches on top for the reception of 

 cargo, or for reaching the quarters of the crew below deck. Fitted 

 with rude oarlocks, for rowing or steering, made of the crotch of a 

 sapling or tree branch. Oars were made by fastening an oblong 

 piece of board to a long curved handle. 



Dimensions of hoat. — Length over all, 80 feet ; beam, 20 feet ; depth, 

 6 feet; length of house, 76 feet; width, 20 feet (it is flush with the 

 sides and stern of the scow) ; extreme height, 9 feet 6 inches. Scale 

 of model, one-half .inch equals 1 foot. 



Boats of this type were the " ships " of the western rivers in the 

 early days of the settlement of the Ohio and Mississippi Valleys. 



KIG. 19. OHIU lUVEK FLAXnOAT. 



The early emigrants traveled down the Ohio River on such craft, 

 carrying their belongings, including live stock, so that these rude 

 fabrics had much to do with the successful settlement of the South- 

 ern and Western States bordering the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. 

 The products of this section were transported to New Orleans and to 

 other markets on flatboats prior to the advent of the steamboat. 

 The flour of the western mills found its way to market chiefly on 

 these boats. The flatboat was intended to make only one trip, since 

 it was impracticable to propel it back against the current of the 

 rivers. When it reached its destination, and its cargo had been 

 discharged, it was sold for lumber, broken up, and used for other 

 purposes, while its crew returned home by land. 

 Made in the Museum. Cat. No. 160,304 U.S.N.M. 



Model of Ohio River keel boat. 



This type of boat was used on the Ohio River, prior to the advent 

 of the steamboat, for the transportation of flour and other products. 



