The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-03-21
Siwash Canoes.

1t has probably never occurred to
many that the Siwash are the best
boatmen, or rather canoists, on the
Pacific coast, but such is the fact.
1t is very rare that canoe is cap
sized on the Sound, even during the
toughest weather. A Siwash Will
venture out when steamers will not
dare to leave their wharves, and he
does not depend solely upon his pad
die either. He hoists fore and aft
sail, that affords many square feet OF
surface to the wind. No white man
would venture out in skiff carrying
half that amount of sail in proportion
to her inches, even in clear weather.
A stiff, spanking breeze is the In
dams delight, and hurricane has no
terrors for him. His canoe seems to
fly from one white-cap to another be-
fore the wind, and will not in a whole
day dip pint of water. The utmost
nicely of judgment, however is requir-
ed in handling canoe. A white
man makes poor canoist. He is
scarcely success as a passenger. 1t
is often said, jokingly, that is necessary
for him to part his hair in the middle
to escape tipping over the canoe by a
superabundance of hair on one side or
the other of his head. An Indian,
however, will stand up and paddle as
unconcernedly as though there were
no such thing as the possibility of
capsize. Practically he is a part of
the boat and never loses his balance.
Siwash canoes are "dugouts," but
dugouts of different kind from those
found on the Missouri, Arkansas and
Mississippi rivers. The latter are
heavy and cumbersome, but the for
mer are as light as feather. An In
dian will make a portage with one
with great deal less labor than a
Canadian voyageur with birch canoe.
"No white man ever made canoe"
said an old Skagit logger to q Times
reporter while the two men were row.
ing across Lake Washington.
"How's that?, asked the news-man.
"Well, I don't know; but | know
they don't. I've seen it tried again
and again on the Skagit, but the ca
noes never amounted to anything The
Indians always use cedar log, which
they hollow out and shape with the
utmost care. They fleqnently select
a tree two or three miles from the
water, but that doesn't prevent them
from making their boat. 1t takes a
very choice stick to make large ca
noe, and the Indians are frequently
weeks in finding one to answer their
purpose.
GAS soon as q suitable tree is found"
continued the woodsman, they encamp
on the spot and begin to cut it down.
AS soon us it strikes the ground they
trim eff the branches as far up as
necessary for the length of the canoe.
1t frequently happens that the log is
decayed at the butt. That portion
must be cut off and the upper part
used, but if there are bad places there
too, another tree must be felled.
IL have known the Siwash to spend
a whole summer in making a canoe,
but when it was done to a nicely,
there wouldn't be flaw anywhere in
their work. I suppose one reason
why white men don't make canoes
successfully is that they do not take
the time. An Indians time is of no
value to him and he can we'll afford to
spend year if necessary in making
\ canoe.
at must be job TO get large ca
noe to the water after it has been
made several miles back in the woods
ayes it is, but the Indians do it
just the same, they drag them some
times long distance and never injure
them by humping against rocks or
trees."-Seattle Times.