The Longboats' Chronicle
Edition 3, Mar 16th.

---

Comment
Here

Although he has never built a longboat in his boat building career, he is enjoying the challenge and the satisfaction of applying his skills to a new type of wooden boat.
His general boat building skills are welcome by the team.

The three oars in this photo are the first of our longboat oars.  They are 11’ long and will be coated with linseed oil when ready.  To help defray the coast of the oars and to create interest in the longboat project, The Society will be offering the opportunity for individuals or organizations/businesses to become sponsors of the oars.  Sponsors will have their name(s) inscribed on the oars and on a plaque showing all

The excitement about the longboats is growing and the construction activity is increasing daily.  More and more volunteers are showing up to lend a hand and visitors of all ages are dropping in to ask questions and observe close hand the building of a long boat.
The frames are now all in place and this past week we attached all of the timbers.
This was certainly teamwork at its best. 

Then it was a bit of a race getting them in place, clamping them one ribbon at a time, “breaking” them at each ribbon to ensure a perfect fit and then screwing the timbers in place.
One person - Milford Buchanen (shown in the picture above, left) - sat in the boat to keep the timbers against the “hog” and in position on the ribbons while a team on each side did the clamping and screwing.

That’s Ernie Dexter with his back to the camera, and scribe Jim in the photo.

Once a timber was successfully in place, the next one was delivered by our steamer - Sterling Bell - shown in the photo to the right, removing a timber from the box.  Holding the steamed timbers was a joy during the real cold days; it allowed us to periodically warm our hands.
The gentleman in the next photo clamping one of the timbers is Curtis Mahaney who is renowned as a master

This week, some of the Society’s members visited Van Fancy’s Oars and Paddles just north of Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia.

Van and his uncle are making the oars for our longboats.  It is a labour of love for them and when you walk into their shop you are treated to the experience of watching two craftsmen at work.  They use a combination tools that some people might think are antiques, steady hands, keen eyes and many years of experience.  It was amazing to see all of the jigs that they have “invented” over the years to help them

produce the products they turn out in their shop. 
I would recommend a visit to their website www.fancyoars-paddles.com if you have an interest in oars, paddles or just fine craftsmanship in general.

sponsors.  As well, a picture of the boat and a certificate will be provided to the sponsors.  Stay tuned to our website for more details in the near future or Email the Society.

That’s all for tonight, folks….  Don’t forget to Add our site to your Favourites - Click the button in the navigation at the left of the screen.

The timbers were steamed in our steam box for at least half an hour or until we could bend them without breaking.

builder of the famed Shelburne dory.

The Oars.