page_title: B.N. Morris Canoe Company
section_title: The Morris Canoe
hierarchical_section_title: B.N. Morris Canoe Company / The Morris Canoe
caption_attribution_description: English: serial number plate or tag located on the inwale of a Morris canoe. Canoes with this placement of the serial number date from 1900-1910
context_page_description: The B.N. Morris Canoe Company of Veazie, Maine, produced wood and canvas canoes from 1891 until fire destroyed the factory late in 1919. The shapeliness, style, and workmanship of the Morris canoes and boats made some of the most picturesque craft that were ever built with this construction form.
context_section_description: Initially offered in three grades, by the early twentieth century Morris advertised his canoes as being one grade only, the standard model being planked and ribbed in cedar, with spruce rails and decks, thwarts, and seat frames of mahogany. The canoe was offered in four models, much the same in appearance but with variations in depth and width. Customers could customize their canoe with longer decks and a fancy paint job.
  Early in the twentieth century, Morris began to advertise that his canoes were "all one grade" mahogany-trimmed vessels, available worldwide through dealerships. A second company, the Veazie Canoe Company, was developed to offer a less expensive factory-direct model trimmed in hardwoods other than mahogany.
  Models and types
  Special Indian: Prior to approximately 1905, this was the name of one of the two Morris models.(1901 Catalog)
  Special Indian, Extra Beam: Prior to approximately 1905, this was the name of the wider of Morris's canoe models. (1899 Catalog) Its catalog image is used as the logo of the Wooden Canoe Heritage Association.
  Model A: Model A, is for all-round use, and will be found efficient, safe, staunch and comfortable, principally due to the flat floor, full rounded sides, and remarkable surface bearing. Its dimensions are moderate and pleasing in lines, and from its first appearance on the market up to this day, all users have only the highest appreciation. This model is built with two styles of ends; the Special, or so-called Torpedo ends, and the Standard Ends. (1919 Catalog)
  Model B: Model B, which is a later development, has been very much appreciated by those who desire a canoe with greater capacity, for family use. It has been on the market a number of years, with a steady increase in demand. Its lines in general are very pleasing, and its paddling qualities are exceptional, considering its dimensions. It is also a very fine canoe to equip for rowing. (1919 Catalog)
  Model C: Model C, carries about the same dimensions as Model A, except that it has less tumble-home and sharper lines for and aft. It is a fairly speedy canoe. (1919 Catalog)
  Model D: Model D is a design with more freeboard and less tumble-home. Has quite a flat bottom, and is quite seaworthy. its paddling qualities in quick water are excellent, and it is unequalled as an open sailing canoe. Its principal uses are hunting and cruising. (1919 Catalog)
  Tuscarora: A model designed specially for racing, and is without a doubt a fast canoe. It is built in two lengths, 17 and 18 feet. To obtain lightness it is fitted with light, tough spruce wales, seats, braces and decks. it is also furnished without keel or floor rack, unless ordered (no charge). Other extras can be had to order at regular prices. (1919 Catalog) 
  Molitor: 18 feet long, with 36-inch bow deck and 24-inch stern deck; canoe is usually tricked out with rub-rails, extended (torpedo) stems, outside stems, D-shaped outwales, half ribs, floor rack, flag sockets, and is seen fitted with bilge keels and spotlights. This model wasn't offered in any known Morris catalog, but was a distinctive canoe built for C.J. Molitor's Livery on Belle Isle in Detroit. After the Morris factory fire, the model was built by Old Town. There is also a Molitor model built by the Carlton Canoe Company. The Molitor name is currently attached to the most expensive of Old Town's canoe models.
  B.N. Morris canoes were offered in a single grade, and are customarily found with mahogany decks, thwarts and seat frames. Rails may be spruce or mahogany. If outwales are mahogany, they are D-shaped. Open gunwales are mahogany with a D-outwale. The following "Types" were offered:
  Type 1: Spruce gunwales, mahogany seat frames, braces (thwarts), short decks. Spruce grate (floorboard). Keel.
  Type 2: Spruce inwales, stained. Mahogany top and outwales. 24” mahogany decks, flag socket, painter ring, mahogany seat frames and braces, spruce grate, keel.
  Type 3: as with Type 2, with the addition of oak outside stems.
  Identifying features
  Stem Morris canoes display a “splayed stem”, 3 inches or so in width at th
caption: serial number tag located on the inwale of a Morris canoe
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