Every year people pay homage to these boats by building replica boats and floating them down the James River from Lynchburg to Richmond. A trip of 120 miles and 8 days.
Here is a picture of our friend Chris pushing our boat down the river. We all took turns. The long pole was put into the river bottom near the front of the boat and the person walked down the rail pushing until they reached the stern. Then they would pull the pole out and carry it back to the front to go again. This was very hard, yet fun.
Here is a picture of Grandma taking the water out of the boat and putting it back into the James. The wooden boat had bits of oiled rope called oakum stuffed into the gaps to keep the water out. Every few hours we had to stop and repair the seal, because the water would start to come in faster than we could get it out. Each night someone would sleep on the boat to make sure it did not sink. The rest of us slept in hammocks strung in the trees on the bank.
Here is a picture of us all in a big old culvert during a rainstorm. We had some bricks laid out near the stern of the boat. Each day we would build a fire in the boat on top of the bricks so we could cook dinner.
Here is a picture of the rear sweep of the boat. The sweep was made out of a branch from a white oak tree. There was a sweep on the front and one on the back. The sweeps are used to turn the boat.
Here is a picture of us driving down through a shallow spot. The river is very difficult to transit. Many times the boat would run aground and we would all jump into the water to push the boat back upstream so we could find a clear channel. The boat was very heavy - Over 6,000 pounds.
Grandpa and Grandma hope you have enjoyed learning about Bateaus and how people moved before there were any roads or cars.
Loads of Love
Here is a picture of the rear sweep of the boat. The sweep was made out of a branch from a white oak tree. There was a sweep on the front and one on the back. The sweeps are used to turn the boat.
Here is a picture of us driving down through a shallow spot. The river is very difficult to transit. Many times the boat would run aground and we would all jump into the water to push the boat back upstream so we could find a clear channel. The boat was very heavy - Over 6,000 pounds.
Grandpa and Grandma hope you have enjoyed learning about Bateaus and how people moved before there were any roads or cars.
Loads of Love
