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York boat
DCHP-1 (pre-1967)
York boats, named after York Factory, were of varying size, the largest ones, used in the Northwest, being about 40 feet long and ten feet wide, of shallow draft with the stern and sternposts sloping at an angle of 45 degrees, open decked and equipped with a square sail and oars, which were pulled by eight oarsmen, the steering being done by means of a heavy stern-sweep; such boats were capable of carrying 110 pieces of 90 pounds each.
Entry from the DCHP-1 (pre-1967)
This entry may contain outdated or offensive information, terms, and examples.
an inland freight boat, descended from the bateau, in common use from the early 1820's but used for tripping as early as 1790, and finally withdrawn from service entirely about 1930.
See: bateau(def. 4),flat-boat,Hudson's Bay bateau,inland boat(def. 1),Mackinaw boat(def. 1),pointer(def. 2),Red River boat,York(def. 2)
Quotations
1864
Gentlemen of practical experience gave their opinion that the present York boats (bateaux) could be used for the transportation of goods from Lake of the Woods to Lake Superior with as little difficulty as is encountered between this place and York Factory.
<i>c</i>1909
The birch-bark canoe is a mere trifle on the portage, but the heavy York boat capable of carrying three or four tons is a clumsy lugger.
1963
Neither the Red River cart nor the York boat had entirely disappeared from the Manitoba scene [by 1873]. . . .
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