Periauger
A Periauger is a shallow draft, often flat bottomed two masted sailing vessel without a bowsprit, which also carried oars for rowing. Periaugers of varying sizes and designs saw extensive use in the inland waterways of the eastern seaboard of the United States during the 18th to early 19th century.[1] The periauger was the type of sailing vessel used by Cornelius Vanderbilt to ply the waters of New York Harbor between Staten Island and lower Manhattan when he began his ferry service.[2]
An account of the construction and use of the periauger was described by Englishman John Lawson (1674? – 1711) an explorer, naturalist and writer, on his travels in 1701 in what is today, South Carolina. The account was published in his diaries in 1709.
The next day we entered Santee river's mouth, . . . As we row'd up the river, we found the land towards the mouth, and for about sixteen miles up it, scarce any thing but swamp and percoarson, affording vast ciprus-trees, of which the French make canoes, that will carry fifty or sixty barrels. After the tree is moulded and dug, they saw them in two pieces and so put a plank between, and even a small Keel, to preserve them from the Oyster-Banks, which are innumerable in the Creeks and Bays betwixt the French settlement and Charles-Town.
They carry two masts and Bermudas sails, which makes them very handy and fit for their purpose; . . . . Of these great trees the pereaugers and canoes are scoop'd and made; which sort of vessels are chiefly to pass over the rivers, creeks, and bays; and to transport goods and lumber from one river to another. Some are so large as to carry thirty barrels, tho' of one entire piece of timber. Others that are split down the bottom, and a piece added thereto, will carry eighty, or an hundred. Several have gone out our inlets on the ocean to Virginia, laden with pork, and other produce of the country. Of these trees curious boats for pleasure may be made, and other necessary craft.... This wood is very lasting, and free from the rot. A canoe of it will outlast four boats, and seldom wants repair.[3]
References
- ↑ Proceedings of the New Jersey Historical Society By New Jersey Historical Society Page 48
- ↑ Stiles, T.J., The First Tycoon: The Epic Life of Cornelius Vanderbilt (Knopf Publishing, 2009), pages 9–27.
- ↑ *John Lawson, A New Voyage to Carolina, at Project Gutenberg
