Object Record
Images
Additional Images [6]
Metadata
Object ID # |
1986.021.001 |
Object Name |
Rowboat |
Other Name |
Shell, Four-oared |
Title |
William Dunn Rowing Boat |
Lexicon category |
7: Distribution & Transportation Artifact |
Credit line |
Donated in memory of Eleanor Rivers |
Date |
Likely 1890s |
Year Range from |
1889 |
Year Range to |
1905 |
Artist |
William Dunn |
Made |
Dunn, William |
Place of Origin |
Owen Sound, Grey County |
Description |
This open row boat is "lapstrake-blanketed" and is bronze-nailed. The varnished bow has a grey-painted interior. There are five seats (one in the bow, one in the stern, three in the middle area). There were originally four oar-holders (two on each side), but now only three exist. There were originally four oar locks (now only two exist). There are no longer any original oars with it. |
Provenance |
Built by William Dunn, a professional boat builder, likely in Owen Sound, Grey County. He was born in Birmingham, England in 1833, and died in Owen Sound in 1905. According to a local historian, Melba Morris Croft, the Dunn Boat Works was in operation circa 1889. The Dunn Boat Works made "pleasure skiffs and sailboats built to order" circa 1897. The boat works was located at Stephens Street, Owen Sound (the 1st Ave. West area north of 10th Street, beside Owen Sound's harbour). It last belonged to Marjorie Spragge, who lived in Owen Sound and had a cottage at Balmy Beach, northwest of Owen Sound. Ms. Spragge's father was an Owen Sound grocer. |
Collection |
Transportation, Water: Equipment Collection |
Material |
Wood/Varnish/Paint/Bronze |
Dimensions |
H-24 W-48 L-232 inches |
Found |
Ontario |
People |
Dunn, William Spragge, Marjorie Spragge, George Spragge, May |
Subjects |
Owen Sound Industry Boat Builders Rowing |
Search Terms |
Owen Sound Industries and Products Owen Sound Owen Sound Harbour Balmy Beach |
Function |
A pleasure craft that is rowed with oars. An 1897 invoice from Mr. Dunn's business reads that he was a boat builder who made "Pleasure Skiffs & Sail Boats Built to Order". |