Models of Fur-Trade Canoes, top to bottom: aji-fathom Ottawa River 

 Algonkin canoe, Hudson's Bay Company express canoe, 5' ^-fathom T^tes de 

 Boule "Iroquois" canoe, 3J4-fathom Lake Timagami canoe, 5-fathom fur-trade 

 canoe of early type, and 5-fathom Hudson's Bay Company canoe built in 

 northwestern Quebec Province. 



small variations in sheer, rocker, and midsection 

 must have existed. 



Although no regulations appear to have been set 

 up by the fur companies to govern the size, model, 

 construction or finish of these canoes, custom and 

 the requirements of usage appear to have been satis- 

 factory guides, having been established by practical 

 experience. As a result, the length of canoes varied 

 and the classification by "fathoms" or feet must be 

 accepted as no more than approximate. 



The form of the canoe was determined by the use to 

 which it was to be put, in trade or in travel. Fur- 

 trade accounts often mention the "light canoe," or 

 canot leger, often misspelled in various ways in early 

 English accounts, and this class of canoe was always 



mentioned where speed was necessary. Commonly, 

 the light canoe was merely a trade canoe lightly 

 burdened. Due to the narrow bottom of these canoes, 

 they became long and narrow on the waterline when 

 not heavily loaded and so could be paddled very 

 rapidly. It is true, however, that some "express 

 canoes" were built for fast paddling. These were 

 merely the common trade models with less beam than 

 usual at gunwale and across the bottom. Some posts 

 made a specialty of building such canoes, often hand- 

 somely painted, for the use of oflficials of the company, 

 or of the church or government, during "inspection" 

 trips. Not all of the highly finished canoes were of 

 the narrow form, however, as some were built wide 

 for capacity rather than for high speed. 



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