Simple, But Effective  

Our Goal

Oddly but truly these boat. have an important role in French history, British History, and Canadian history. Our goal here at 17th century Boats is to simply educate you on why aboriginal built boats were so much better in their environment than French and European built boats , what impact they had, who used them, how were they used, how they were made and some few extra details. 

 
 
 

Why trust us?

Months of research 

Our group of students have done months of research on the individual boats, and groups of people behind the boat designs.  


Attention to detail

With our dedication we have searched far and wide to find every little detail related to the boats and groups. 

Unique website

With this website possibly being the only website comparing the boats in this unique way we believe only in giving the best information. 

Passion of the water

Many of the students in our group have a love of water and boats and have a great interest in these historical boats.

How where these boats built. 

Birch bark canoe

A group of men would firstly go into the woods to find a big enough birch tree to use in the construction. Once found they would strip the tree of its bark and bring it back to the village. In village they would construct a wooden frame and slowly start to form bark into the desired shape. That shape was than supported by what are called wooden ribs. When shape was completed they would tie up the split parts of the bark and water proof it with spruce gum. A few minor touches would than be made like trimming edges and the boat was ready for use. Process would take weeks or sometimes days. 

The dugout canoe 

The tribe constructing the boat would have to first off find a soft wood tree big enough to build the boat of the desired size. The tree when found would have to be cut down than cut to proper length. The piece being used would than have to be than brought by many men to the area of construction. A group of men would than start the process of carving out the wood making sure not to take to much out but not leave to much in. After months of carving the boat would than be engraved with designs and painted with Haida. The boats could be anywhere from 20 feet up to 60 feet and used for everyday use and ceremonies.      


European and French ships

The huge ships would sometimes take years to built, it would have to be well designed for sea use before anything. The complicated construction would be done by many men with basic technology. 100's of tones of wood would be used in the construction, the boats would need lots of storage area and many rooms for sailors on board. There where no engines and no chainsaws meaning everything was made almost completely by hand. The constructions where long, hard, complicated and dangerous as men would be assembling the ships by hand at great heights.  

 

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