AN IMPROVED SHALLOW DRAFT CANOE
Year: 1884

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
I, GEORGE JOHN TAGG, of the firm of T. G. Tagg & Son, of the. Island Boat
Building Works, East Moulsey, in the County of Surrey, Boat and Steam Launch
Builder, do hereby declare the naturo of my invention for "AN IMPROVED SHALLOW
DRAFT CANOE," and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
The object of my invention is the introduction of an improvement into the
construction of shallow draft canoes.
It is matter of common experience with those who are in the habit of using
shallow draft canoes, that their lightness makes them unsteady in the water when
any adverse current is on, or when a cross breeze catches the canoe, or in shooting
a rapid. Up to the present time, canoes, of the class to which my invention relates,
have been paddled, not rowed or sculled with ordinary oars working in rowlocks,
inasmuch as the vigour of the stroke, together with its intermittency, would be too
much for the stability of so light a structure, causing it to roll.
My invention consists principally in fitting the canoe with a lifting stern-keel,
to which is attached a suitable folding handle, by which it is lifted out of the
water, and which serves also as a catch to keep it in such position.
The fore end of this stern-keel is pivotted to the canoe, and as it is not held
down by any catch, it will easily yield should it come into contact with any
obstruction, such as a large stone in the bed of the river, and drop again. The
material of which I prefer to make this keel is phosphor bronze, which, being both
strong and light, is well adapted for the purpose, although any other material
possessing these properties in a corresponding degree might be used. For canoe
and keel case, I prefer cedar as the material.
For facilitating land carriage of my improved canoes, I make them in sections to
be held together by bolts and nuts or similar suitable devices.
The ordinary stringers running from bow to stern are replaced by as many
transverse frames as may be necessary.
In order that my invention and the means whereby the same can be put into
successful operation may be thoroughly understood, I will now proceed to describe
them in detail, referring to the accompanying drawings which are to be taken as
part of this specification and read therewith, and in which corresponding parts
are marked throughout the figures in which they occur with the same reference
letter.

page_text: Figure 1 is a longitudinal elevation, with part of the stern broken away shewing
the keel and its connections, the keel being down.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the midships section. Figure 3 is a plan of
the canoe. Figure 4 illustrates the method of connecting the sections by bolts and
wing-nuts. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the interior of the stern of the canon.
A is the canoe, and B, B, the frames. C, C, are the coupling flanges of the
sections connected by bolts and wing-nuts C', C. A packing of rubber, or similar
suitable material, serves to make each joint watertight. It is evident that a pair
of flanges, when bolted together act as a frame in imparting rigidity to the canoe.
D is the stern keel, preferably made with a tab, d; and d', its pivot. E is its case,
the top of which is above the water line. F is the folding handle by which it is
raised out of the water and which, being hinged at f, will, when bent over the cross
spar g, keep the keel out of the water. Its weight suffices to drop it so soon as the
handle is released. H, H are folding rowlocks, to be used when the canoe is to be
rowed, altho' my improved canoe can be paddled if preferred.
I have found that with a canoe 16 feet long the best proportions for the keel
are, length from pivot to nose, 16; inches,-depth at nose, 5 inches, tapering
to 1 inch at the fore end.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is :—
First In a shallow draft canoe, constructed in sections or not, a pivoted or
hinged stern-keel with case and handle, as described with reference to the accom-
panying diawings.
Second-In a shallow draft canoe, the combination of the herein before described
stern-keel and its accessories with rowlocks to enable, the canoe to be sculled or
rowed.
T
AT