Historic Film on the Bayou about Piogues

[DRAFTSTUD]

I thought I would post this Link of an old film about "The Pirogue Maker". It is kinda long, but for the value of those who watch it I think it would be worth your time. I think it was made in the late 40s. John BTW: That coffee the woman serves, I have had that at a man's house served by his French speaking Granny......it will curl your toenails!

http://www.folkstreams.net/film,188

 

[tarheel]

You've just made my day. Some of those Acadians settled in S.E. NC and introduced a similar boat which is used in the streams and swamps of that region, the land of my ancestors. Some of that French blood runs in me as well, and I thought I'd share a couple of shots of my boats. The first one is of more modern technology, fiberglass, but the mold is true to a wooden boat design. It's a one man boat and just as slick as you can imagine. The other is a two man boat, the last one built by my Grandfather and which I've recently inherited. They were traditionally made from five boards of Eastern white cedar, three for the bottom and one for each side, two boards across for seats, and a box built in the middle for fish and game. A couple of holes were bored in the bottom of the fish box to keep fresh water moving into it. No one much is making these boats any more, the ones who do make them from marine grade plywood, fiberglass or PVC. A variant is made around Florence, SC from small strips of cypress epoxied together; pretty but heavy.

Once I get seven coats of paint stripped from Pap's boat, it will be repainted and I want it put into the North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort, NC for as long as they will keep it on display. If they choose to remove it from display, it comes back to the family to whomever I designate.

 

[DRAFTSTUD]

I am glad I did. Yes, I recognize the design of your boats. John