The Tiller A Publication of the Canals and Navigations Society Summer 2007 Volume 28, Issue 2 2

2 The Tiller

President Watercraft Operations Dan River Robert M. “Buddy” High William E. Turnage Bob Carter General Delivery 6301 Old Wrexham Pl. 1141 Irvin Farm Rd. Valentine, VA 23887 Chesterfield, VA 23832 Reedsville, NC 27320 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] (434) 577-2427 Board of Trustees Eastern Virginia Vice-President Natalie Ross Kyle Schilling vacant PO Box 8224 30 Brook Crest Ln. Charlottesville, VA 22906 Stafford, VA 22554 Recording Secretary [email protected] (434) 577-2427 Jean High Term: 2007-2012 General Delivery Northern Virginia Valentine, VA 23887 Douglas MacLeod Myles “Mike” R. Howlett [email protected] PO Box 3119 6826 Rosemont Dr. Lynchburg, VA 24503 McLean, VA 22101 Corresponding Secretary [email protected] [email protected] Lynn Howlett Term: 2006-2011 6826 Rosemont Dr. Richmond William E. Trout, III, Ph.D. McLean, VA 22101 Vacant [email protected] 35 Towana Rd. Richmond, VA 23226 [email protected] Treasurer Term: 2005-2010 Peter C. Runge Atwill R. Melton 119 Harvest Dr. 1587 Larkin Mountain Rd. William E. Turnage Charlottesville, VA 22903 Amherst, VA 24521 See Watercraft Operations [email protected] [email protected] Term: 2004-2009 Southeast Virginia Archivist/Historian Richard Davis George Ramsey Phillip Eckman See VCNS Sales 2827 Windjammer Rd. 902 Park Ave. Term: 2003-2008 Colonial Heights, VA 23834 Suffolk, VA 23435 [email protected] [email protected]

Webmaster District Directors Staunton River George Ramsey, Jr. Roy Barnard [email protected] 94 Batteau Rd. Nancy Trout Alta Vista, VA 24517 VCNS Sales 35 Towana Rd. [email protected] Richard Davis Richmond, VA 23226 4066 Turnpike Rd. [email protected] Lexington, VA 24450 Upper [email protected] Central James River Thomas M. Kastner David Haney Cedar Hill JRBF Committee Chairman RR 1 Box 338 1093 Forge Rd. Evington, VA 24550 Robert M. “Buddy” High Lexington, VA 24450 [email protected] See President [email protected] The Tiller 3 Table of Contents

4. Letter from VC&NS President and JRBF Chair, ~~Robert M. “Buddy” High

6. A Bittersweet Journey for the Maple Run By Richard “Ricky” Brightwell

8 Journey of a Batteauman Virginia Canals and By Richard “Ricky” Brightwell Navigations Society 6826 Rosemont Dr. 9. The “Beat” Goes On... McLean, VA 22101 A Journey From Cancer to Drums The Virginia Canals and Navigations Society By Jason Hatcher is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. 11. Obituary for Aubrey Bersch and Art Markel Membership Information: Dues apply to the calendar year and entitle 12. Passing the Sweep members to all editions of The Tiller for that By Ralph Smith calendar year. 13. The Maiden Voyage of The Morning Dew Membership Dues: By Blake Boyette Life Membership, Single $300.00 Life Membership, Couple $400.00 14. The : a Workhorse of the War of 1812 Single Individual $18.00 Eric E. Johnson Couple $20.00 Reprint “War Cry” Sustaining Member $30.00 General Society of the War of 1812 Patron $65.00 Non-profit Organization $18.00 15. The War Hits the Batteau Festival For-profit Organization $30.00 By Ellen Blankenship Students, Schools, Libraries $8.00

The Deadline for Winter Tiller Submissions is VCNS Publications November 15, 2007 Publications Coordinator Douglas MacLeod On the Cover: [email protected] Grace Anne Basten held by her father Mason. Photo by Holt Messerly The Tiller, Editor and Art Director Ashley Egan On the Back Cover: [email protected] Buddy High’s grandson Robert Joseph High The Sweep astride John Hogge’s shoulders while Emily Peter C. Runge High and his brother Nathaniel look on. [email protected] Photo by Holt Messerly 4 The Tiller The VC&NS President and JRBF Chairman Robert M. “Buddy” High What a busy year it has been! I donated We had our Annual VCNS meeting at the Brunswick Belle Batteau to the Roanoke Canal Petersburg, Va. in May with fewer attendees than Society last fall (See The Tiller, Spring 2007, we had expected. Even with the small crowd I Volume 28, Issue 1) so a lot of my time was spent feel we did accomplish a lot. We started off with a building another batteau, the latest incarnation of roundtable type meeting, discussing various the Brunswick Belle. We always keep the name projects and how we could get more of the and some of the original board from our very first membership involved. It will continue to be one batteau so we feel like we are just doing some minor of my goals to try to engage more of the members repairs to the original. The lumber was picked up at the meetings as well as all year long. There is a from the Dreaming Creek Timber Frame Homes’ lot to be done and with more members involved it sawmill in January and the new batteau was can be very productive as well as fun. soaking by April. The batteau made a successful As your president I reported that our journey in June. finances are in good shape. We have the Medallion

“Buddy” High gets some help on the Brunswick Belle from his two grandsons Photo Courtesy of Jean High and Holt Messerly The Tiller 5

The Crew of the “Spirit of the James” eating their lunch. Below: Laura Sutherland with her lovely hat. Photo by Holt Messerly at the Welcome Center in Chesapeake lined up to us appreciate each other. It was a week of be installed and we are excited about making plans wonderful fun and fellowship. We had a special for next year’s retreat. We had a wonderful time night at Wingina where many participants met to and enjoyed our tour of the falls at Petersburg talk about all the loved ones who had passed away. learning a lot about the plans by both It was a special, reverent time when we could Dominion & Friends of Lower all come together as a family to Appomattox River and their remember and comfort each other. exciting new ventures for the This was another safe year and surrounding area. according to all the comments I June brought on the have heard, I think it was enjoyed James River Batteau by all. Festival. We had a Next year my efforts for wonderful festival with both organizations will be more fellowship and focused on energizing our camaraderie than I can ever society by encouraging more remember. I think the participation from the members sorrow of our dear friends so we can get new projects going. passing away, made the time To do this, I need your support and, more special. Many friends more importantly, I need your talked about the tales and times suggestions and ideas. These groups with Dewey and I know many are owned by you the members Tell me heard the laughs as they passed by so what you want the groups to accomplish. many special places and remembered some of the Whether your comments are good or bad, I will happier days. always be ready to listen. We want BOTH groups The memories of years gone by and the to prosper. I challenge you to make this the year realization that time does not wait for anyone made you become actively involved. 6The Tiller A Bittersweet Journey for the Maple Run By Richard “Ricky” Brightwell

The 2007 James River Batteau Festival in the festival at all, only go a few days, or possibly was a unique experience for the crew of the Maple go all week? Run. With the tragic loss of Captain Dewey As the time approached, and with Roger Wood, (see Spring Tiller 2007) we knew it was having health concerns, we still wondered what going to be tough on all of us. we should do. Susan, Roger’s wife, talked to us Dewey Wood and Roger Huffman about the trip. She said, “Roger wants you to take captained the Maple Run. In fact, the two men the Maple Run on the festival.” My first thought were so close they were not only co-captains, they was: how? We won’t have our veteran front sweep, had a special bond with each other and the Maple Dewey, or our rear sweep, Roger. Run, which they built together. The current I called Mike Neal, Captain of the Rose of Maple Run is actually number two; I think the Nelson, about my concerns. He assured me that first one made the trip to Richmond about five or he and his crew, along with all the other crews, six times. Roger and Dewey built the present would be there for us. We assembled our crew and day Maple Run in the spring of 2003. They cut off to the river we went. the logs in Craig County, VA and hauled them to In memory of Dewey, the Maple Run was Amherst County where they were sawed. The honored to be the first batteau to depart Percival’s batteau was built at Roger’s shop. This marked Island. We were fortunate on day one to have Roger the fifth year this Maple Run made the trip. on board; we gave him the role of ‘consultant.’ With Dewey gone, it was a very difficult He instructed the crew as to where to go and what time physically and emotionally. Roger and I had to do while two young ladies fed him grapes and talked on several occasions and our thoughts were applied his sunscreen. He had it made! like a roller coaster ride. Should we not participate Sunday through Tuesday, we were put to the test. How much we took for granted when we

Below: The Maple Run with its banner, reading: In Memory of Dewey Photo by Holt Messerly

Richard Brightwell and Dewey Wood on-board the Maple Run, Photo Courtesy of Richard Brightwell The Tiller 7

Richard Brightwell and son Rick with Roger Huffman Photo Courtesy of Richard Brightwell

had veteran batteauxmen, Dewey and Roger, on I’m sure the crews on the Maple Run and the Lady the sweeps! For all the years, I have been on the Slipper will never forget that day. Maple Run, the way we negotiated past the rocks, Continuing on, we approached finding the sluices and staying in the currents had Higginbotham’s Falls, with caution. Following the seemed so effortless. We quickly learned that route of the batteau ahead of us, we made it through doesn’t just happen; the sweeps have to make it without any problems. By now we felt like we knew happen. After some experience with rocks and what we were doing; however, each day had its obstacles, we learned we had to keep the batteau challenges. straight, especially in the rapids and falls. The week continued just fine with Roger Feeling pretty good about how our Sunday re-joining us Wednesday morning at Howardsville was going, we decided to take the adventurous for the rest of the trip. Under his keen and watchful ‘little river’ side of Pettyjohn’s Island. As we eye, Roger awarded Rebekah Cox her front sweep approached the bridge, I told the infamous story of license (I didn’t know a license existed). However, several years ago, when the mighty James River for some reason I didn’t get my rear sweep license, was near flood stage. That day, three batteaux took even though we made the entire trip without any the scenic route to find out that the water level was major problems. about 24 to 30 inches under the bridge; however, I want to thank all the James River Batteau with some effort the Maple Run was able to get Festival family for the support and encouragement under the bridge. However, the others, one being shown to the Maple Run crew this year. Countless the Lady Slipper had to be unloaded and sunk to times we were told, “I’m so glad to see the Maple get under. I’ll always remember, as we were bailing Run on the river this year.” That meant a lot to us the water out of the Lady Slipper how their crew and I think it is what Dewey would have wanted us prepared us the best lunch I’ve ever had on the river. to do. 8The Tiller I would like to take this opportunity to thank the crew, especially the ones who went all week or Journey of a most of the week: Beka & Brandon ‘Boot’ Cox, Randy Lee, Beth Brightwell, and Ron Huffman. Batteauman Also, a special thanks to Susan and Roger Huffman ~Richard “Ricky” Brightwell for all they did to make another enjoyable week on the Maple Run and this years JRBF. My name is Richard, they call me Ricky. I have three children Victoria 24, Beth 22, and Rick 19. I live in Madison Heights and Galt’s Mill (the first nights camp) is just three miles from where I lived as a child. So I have heard about the festival since it began. I have always known several people who participated. When my children got old enough to take on a , we started going. The more we went the more fascinating it became. I started floating down the river in a john boat, a small flat bottomed boat you may see on a lake, sometimes with oars or a trolling motor. They are used a lot by fisherman. That was 10 - 12 years ago. We floated along with the batteaux sometime tying up to their side. I knew Captain Roger Huffman from high school and we worked together at the Central Virginia Training Center. Several years ago, I asked him if my son and I could ride a day or two. That was it, we were hooked. That year we went for a day on the Maple Run;the next year we went for two days, the following year we spent four days and for the last four or five years, we participated all week. Last year, after my son graduated from high school, he and a group of his friends went to the beach, but he came back a day early so as not to miss the start of the Batteau Festival. The last several years my two daughters have joined us for a day or more. This year I even got my wife, Doris, to join us for a day. So my involvement has increased over the years. Now I have spent 8 years on the Maple Run, under the tutelage of Co-captains Dewey Wood and Roger Huffman. I couldn’t imagine the river without them; but that is what we Richard Brightwell poling down the faced this year. river in 2005. Photo Courtesy of Richard Brightwell The Tiller 9 The Beat Goes On... A Journey from Cancer to Drums By Jason Hatcher A Serious Scare on the right. I’m with the Peaks’ Shadow crew, In 1988, doctors told my dad, Charlie even though I canoed and didn’t ride on a boat this Hatcher, that he had a malignant melanoma on his year, except for on the Slate River neck and that he’d be dead by 1991. He told them he “had too many people to aggravate.” Dr. Finding My Rhythm Sylvester at Lynchburg General helped him prove I played with Mr. Bersch and his buddies them wrong... He went down the river right after on the river when I was about 10 years old. his surgery that year, and is still participating today. However, all I wanted to do since I was a little My family and I are proud of him for beating cancer kid, was play drums. Before I had a drum set, I and quitting smoking. would beat on anything - tin cans, pots ‘n’ pans, He was one of the original members of the buckets, my Mom’s car’s dashboard, my older Batteau Nekoosa. The Nekoosa was sponsored by sister Angela’s head, et cetera, and would sit up Owens-Illinois, which later turned into Georgia- pillows on my bed like they were a drum set Pacific (The paper-mill in Big Island). At 60 feet (stomping the floor in place of a kick-drum). I long it was the longest and heaviest boat ever built would play along to the old records I had at the for the Festival. They pretty much pushed it more time (CCR, Hendrix, The Doors, etc.) and bands than they rode in it. It was sunk in the river down that were popular back in the early ‘90’s: Nirvana, below the paper-mill in Big Island, but a flood Stone Temple Pilots, Soundgarden, etc. When I washed it down river, probably over the Coleman got a drum set, all I did was sit in my room and Falls dam, somewhere toward Lynchburg. He now play along to records. I would come home from 8 runs the front sweep on The Peaks’ Shadow, which hour days in the hot sun in Marching Band during was built by the Peaks’ Shadow crew two years the summer, and practice for 4 or 5 hours more. ago in my parents’ yard, at the foot of the Peaks Of Today, I’ve pretty much haven’t been in one Otter in Bedford County. It’s got two mountains specific band, and am not a “professional” musician on its flag...”Sharp-Top” on the left, and “Flat-Top” either, I’d say semi-professional... As far as bands I’ve played in, I was in the band “Fluid” in high- school that would play down at the old Spanky’s in downtown Lynchburg. I’ve had many different gigs in Richmond and the Lynchburg area with different friends.

Meandering I moved to California and worked in Industrial-Supply for two years, implementing different sites throughout the U.S.–which is a lot of data-entry. However, I got tired of airports and hotels, so I saved up some money and put in two- weeks-notice. I quit the last company I worked for on October 27th of last year. At the time, I was Charlie, Jason and Angela Hatcher at the living in L.A. then, but I was only there four days Festival in 1988 out of the month. I wanted to actually enjoy the Photo Courtesy of Jason Hatcher west-coast for a little while. 10 The Tiller After I left the company, I traveled all through California — up the coast, down the coast, and through Yosemite. Amanda Buckley, a friend from the river, also came out to visit while I was travelling through Big Sur, Yosemite, Sequoia, and we made that trip together. Then, I packed my stuff up and drove back to Virginia. I stayed at home for a little while (Bedford), then went down to Richmond, then down to New Orleans for a couple weeks for Jazz-Fest, then back up to Richmond, then back to Bedford.

The River Flows On I’ve always been into the river, creeks, the ocean, etc. — From the Batteau Festival to canoeing, to kayaking, to fishing. I am rediscovering my former home. I just started a Aubrey Bersch, new job and am currently relocating to Richmond. Photo Courtesy of Holt Messerly I have been going down to Belle Isle and the river as much as possible. I just camped on the James at the rock beach above Balcony Falls. The first time I ever played with I thought about going back out to anyone, in public or just playing with other California, and I probably will again, but ended musicians for that matter, was with Aubrey up renting this place in Richmond for a little while. and his buddies. I got the spoons off of I like being back in Virginia, and close to home. Curtis Wood, who used to float down the Richmond’s not too fast or too slow, and I like river on the Frank Padget, (His ex-wife being near the James, and riding my bike down Teresa got them at a Rendevous and gave to Belle Isle and just chillin’ on the rocks. them to him on his birthday, and one night at a party at his house in Powhatan back in ’92, he saw how much I enjoyed playing them and gave them to me...thus putting him in the “dog-house,” so to speak.) Anyways, I had the spoons, and at about 10 years old, I asked Mr. Bersch if I could play with him and his friends. He gave the go-ahead, and afterwards, he told my father that he was impressed that a 10- year-old could hold a rhythm like that on just some spoons; never having played with anyone before. I never forgot that. It was a good way to start out as a musician. ~~Jason Hatcher Above: Jason Hatcher Photo by Holt Messerly Right: Charley Hatcher Photo Courtesy of Jason Hatcher The Tiller 11 Rest In Peace Rest In Peace Aubrey Lee Bersch Jr., Arthur Lyman Markel

Just as constant as the James River’s flow Art Markel, a life member of VCNS, is Aubrey Bersch’s appearance at overnight camp- passed away on August 25, 2007 at the age of sites along the JRB trail. Aubrey arrives with a 81. He graduated from the US Naval Academy guitar in hand to liven the atmosphere with joyful in 1948 and became a submariner. One of his last sounds of music, applause, and laughter. As other commands was Reynolds Metals’ deep-diving musicians with various instruments join him, “old- ALUMINAUT, which is now an exhibit in the time” songs and familiar tunes soon have those Science Museum in Richmond. More details are gathered around for a respite and entertainment in an article in the August 29th Richmond Times- singing along.... Dispatch. The James River Batteau Festival is never After Art retired he took up watercolor the same as the year before’the water height fluc- painting and did a number of canal scenes for us. tuates, different people participate, new adven- Thanks to the imagination of Art Markel, we can tures on the river occur; however, there is com- envision scenes never before depicted. You can fort in knowing some things never change. Roger see his work (but in black-and-white) on the front Huffman will be sitting in his chair at the sweep cover of the Winter 1991 Tiller, in “Appomattox of Maple Run, the Anthony Rucker will be the River Seay Stories,” and on the covers of the last boat to arrive at each campsite, and Aubrey VCNS atlases for the Appomattox, Goose Creek, Bersch will be sitting with his guitar in hand, Rappahannock, Rivanna, and Willis’s rivers. bringing music to the James River banks during the annual Batteau Festival.

~excerpt from Twenty Years of Music on the River Banks, by Edith Fisher. Volume 26, Issue 2&3, Spring and Summer 2005 Unfortunately, this was the last year that Aubrey’s music graced our festival, he died on July 31, 2007 at his home in Madison Heights. He was 78 years old. He will be sorely missed. This 1992 painting, from the cover of the Slate and Willis’s River Atlas, shows a Willis’s River Flash Lock in action. The gate has been dropped, and a batteau is dashing through on the “flash flood.” It even shows Peter Francisco, “The Hercules of the Revolution,” trying his hand at the bow steering oar. There is no proof that he ever did this, but his home, Locust Grove, is not far from the Willis’s River and from the mill at Ca Ira, where it is said that he once lifted the huge mill stone. Peter Francisco was probably quite familiar with the Willis’s River flash locks and the batteaux which once used them, and he may have traveled on them down to Richmond where he was sergeant-at-arms to the House of Photo Courtesy of Holt Messerly Delegates. 12The Tiller Passing the Sweep By Ralph Smith One of the pleasures in my life is handing down to my children an appreciation for the things in life that have brought me happiness. Since I enjoy the annual James River Batteau Festival so much, it has been very gratifying to see my children having fun on the “Anthony Rucker” for a portion of each festival week. They began Adam Fontaine, Ralph Smith, Will Smith, Faye participating when they were in elementary school Smith and Blake Boyette discuss strategy. and have continued to enjoy the festival each year, Photo by Holt Messerly even though they both are in college. My I’ve often heard one of the festival’s memories of having them on the batteau range founding fathers, John Rothert speak of his from the childlike pleasures of being in the water appreciation of the festival and the fact that it has for hours at a time and piling huge quantities of provided so much enjoyment to so many over its 20 river grass on their heads, to more recently plus years. I echo his sentiments particularly as I witnessing their adult appreciation of the wildlife, see a second generation of batteaumen and women serenity, and history which is part of the festival. assuming leadership roles with existing batteaux and So it came as no surprise to me that for even having their own. I am confident that in the the past several years my two sons Will and next few years, we’ll see other second generation Taylor, and a core group of their friends had boat programs as the children who grew up around expressed increasing interest in building their own the festival reach their adult years. For me batteau. I had discouraged them, knowing personally, I am proud of my boys and the entire firsthand what a massive task building a batteau “Morning Dew” crew and hope others of their peers is, particularly since we already have 150 foot will follow in their footsteps and keep JRBF going batteau in the garage. However, they were for future generations. persistent and a good compromise seemed to be to buy the “Tobacco Row” which hadn’t been in the river for 2 years and is a sistership to our The Morning Dew Crew (2007): Will Smith “Anthony Rucker,” having been built the same (captain), Blake Boyette (captain), Taylor year and using the same rib patterns etc. Smith, Dillon Baker, Drew Youngs, Jared Stern, The boat needed a reasonable amount of Adam Fontaine, Rick Brightwell, Gary repair and we ended up replacing about 25% of Addison. Thank you all for your hard work, the bottom of the boat and re-nailing the entire you made all of this possible. boat in addition to countless other repairs. On behalf of the above-named crew, I However, it was clear that all the time energy and would like to extend the deepest and most money spent on getting the boat ready was a sincere thanks to Ralph Smith. Without him, worthwhile investment as I watched the crew of there would be no story to tell. He has passed the boat now named the “Morning Dew” leave along something great to us. Percival’s Isle in Lynchburg and clear the pylons Lastly, we would all like to say good- of the Carter Glass Bridge. The 8 days which bye to Dewey Wood. This year and this maiden followed are undoubtedly some of the fondest and voyage were for him. The festival will never proudest memories for the entire crew of the be the same. The Morning Dew extends our “Morning Dew” as they navigated the low water deepest sympathies to his friends and family. level of the James with no more trouble than the We will never forget him more seasoned crews. The Tiller 13 The Maiden Voyage of The “Morning Dew” By Blake Boyette “The only thing I want you boys to do is musical highlight took place in the town of make it into Maiden’s Landing.” Ralph Smith said Scottsville. With the three rowdiest crews, the that when we asked him what we could do to repay “Dew,” the “Rucker,” and the “Sedalia,” packed him for his many hours of work and dollars of help. into the Dew Drop Inn, the party went all night. We vowed to Ralph that even if we were Music blaring outback had most of the town awake carrying the Dew, it would make the whole trip. into the late hours of the night. Needless to say We kept that promise. With an average age of 19, they weren’t particularly happy, and I can’t say I our crew was among the youngest crews in festival blame them. However, the Scottsville locals that history. Not to mention, three of the crew had never came out to party were not upset. And I have never seen a batteau before this year. While we did have heard of more fun being had in one place. minimal problems, it was no more than an average While floating down the James River crew would. relaxing, playing music, and having an all around However, the real story is the amazing time good time is hard to beat, we can not understate we had along the way. From the moment we how important it was to keep the traditional aspect pushed off, we were wishing we could slow down of the festival alive. The feeling of partaking in a time and stay on the James forever, and believe way of life that was so critical hundreds of years me, we tried. Taking a page out of the book of the ago, and knowing that we are keeping the tradition “Rucker” and the “Sedalia,” we tried to stay on alive, rivals all the other fun we had combined. the water as long as possible. We did pick up the Seeing older veterans of the batteau, watch us roll poles and blow by several of the “fastest batteaus,” into Maidens made us really feel like we had just to have fun and show we could. However, accomplished something, and we did. Every year most of the time we just floated along, letting the the “Morning Dew” and all the crews involved James do the work for us. The time we put into continue this tradition is an accomplishment. getting the “Dew” ready for action seem insignificant, in the days spent relaxing under the . sun with interludes of action and hard work. For the first time, we were on our own. We had no veterans to divert the problems. If we hit a rock, we had to get off it. If we needed polers, it had to be one of us. The feeling of self-reliance was unexplainable. We took it one day at a time, one problem at a time, and a bunch of teenagers and few guys in their twenties, got the “Dew,” a 48- foot-long beast, 118 miles down the river. And man, did we have a blast along the way! River bank concerts were common. We pulled into several “aqueducts” (little river coves) and had full on jam sessions. Not to belittle the guitar playing of Tom Moore and the Smith Brothers, but this doesn’t mean two guys with guitars, we had saxophones, harmonicas, and bongos. The Slate River was a different story. There we played for everyone. People came from The Morning Dew Crew in action all over the stop to hear the guys play. But the Photo By Holt Messerly 14 The Tiller The Bateau: a Workhorse of the War of 1812 Eric E. Johnson War Cry General Society of the War of 1812 villages in which they were first built. The Albany Boat was 24 feet long by 3 feet wide while the (Reprinted with permission) Schenectady Boat was wider and up to 45 feet long. The Schenectady Boat could carry 40 to 50 soldiers One of the workhorses of the War of 1812 with their equipment and supplies. was the bateau. The bateau (plural: bateaux) is The was used in French for ‘boat’ and this type of vessel had been Virginia during this same time period. These used in America and Canada for over a hundred were very similar to the Schenectady Boats. years by the time that the war had started. These Bateaux were towed behind the ships of boats were flat-bottomed, shallow-drafted crafts the American naval squadron on Lake Niagara with pointed ends and no true keel. They were when the U.S. Army attacked York, Upper Canada, propelled by oars, poles or sail. These boats were on 27 April 1813. These vessels were used as modified by length, width and draft for the rivers landing crafts during this invasion. and waterways where they operated. One hundred bateaux were built in and Bateaux had been the mainstay of the around Cleveland, Ohio, for Major General inland shipping industry in America and they had William Henry Harrison’s invasion of Upper also been used heavily by the French, British and Canada on 27 September 1813. The vessels were American armies to transport troops and supplies rowed from Cleveland to the Lake Erie islands. throughout the American and Canadian colonies. The bateaux then carried 4,500 soldiers across the During the War of 1812 these vessels were used lake to the Canadian shores. The little fleet traveled to transport both troops and supplies especially in a total distance of approximately 120 miles on open northern and western New York, and west of the water. Allegheny Mountains where the majority of the Literally thousands of these boats were built roads were impassable for a good part of the year. during the war on both sides. They were easy to The different types of bateaux were named after build, easy to operated, inexpensive and the location where they were first built or the man expendable. The Kentucky flat boats, most of who had originally designed the boats. The largest which were built in Pennsylvania, were a very large of the inland boats was the Durham Boat. This version of the bateau which was used on the Ohio boat was designed by Robert Durham of River by the early pioneers. Rieglesville, Pennsylvania, in 1757 for use on the Delaware River. The largest boats were 65 feet long by 8 feet wide and they could carry 20 tons of iron ore or 150 barrels of flour. A captain and a crew of six men operated these vessels. These boats were primarily used on the largest waterways in the eastern states. George Washington had used these boats during his crossing of the Delaware River on the night of 25 December 1776. The Albany Boats and the Schenectady Boats were originally built in New York for shallower waters. Both boats were named after the Photo by Holt Messerly The Tiller 15 The War Hits Home Ellen Blankinship, Captain “Spirit of the James” Batteau

Editor’s Note: The “Spirit of the James” is not the only batteau with crew members in Iraq. Our President Buddy High and Recording Secretary Jean High’s son, Michael High is currently stationed in Iraq and they tell me that he would enjoy hearing from you, if you do not get a chance to write they would appreciate your keeping him in your prayers. She heard from someone that the thing a soldier needed or wanted the most The “Spirit of the James” moored during the while serving is, “to hear his name called at Mail James River Batteau Festival Call.” Please contact Jean for his information Photo by Holt Messerly It was a beautiful Friday morning on Slate River in 2006. The water level was very low and my batteau crew had not returned from shuttling My crew returned from the shuttle and after vehicles to Cartersville. As I sat on “Spirit of the introductions to our new crewmates, we shoved off. James” waiting for them to return, I was trying to These strapping young bucks were just what our hold onto my positive outlook on life. I knew tired group needed. They were full of youthful very well the long day ahead would take a toll on energy and enthusiasm. They jumped at the chance my meager, yet loyal, crew. At this point we had to try walk poling. Man oh man could they work in dwindled to a skeleton crew of three women unison. They had our boat going faster than it had (including me) and two men. all week. They then began singing to help meter I was deep in thought as a young man their walk poling. The river resonated with their approached and asked if I would mind if he came baritone and tenor voices. Our spirits soared as we aboard. “Come aboard!” I said as I looked up. moved easily toward Cartersville. These two young He had many questions about the batteau and how men were a true blessing to our batteau. we managed to move such a heavy boat down When we reached Cartersville, the two were river. I was pleased to answer his questions and given a ride back to Slate River to get their vehicle asked him some of my own. He and a friend had and head for the beach. They were so happy to have been canoeing and were getting ready to head for had the opportunity to learn about batteauing. Of the beach. They both lived in Abingdon, VA. His course, they were not half as happy as we were to name was Ben Smith and his friend was Eric have had them with us. Hoffman. This year I contacted Eric Hoffman to see if His eyes lit up when I suggested he delay they would like to join us again. He replied via e- plans to head to the beach and come down river mail that he would love to join us , but duty called with us for a day. He said, “Let me go find Eric elsewhere. He is an Army Sargeant and was and see if he wants to do this, too.” The two came shipping out for his second tour in Iraq. I sincerely back ready to go with us. They seemed excited look forward to having them join us again when about this opportunity to work a batteau and were they can. I did not hear from Ben and I can only eager to learn more about it. hope and pray all is well. I started the festival with my children enjoying the ride and now it is so special to see my grandchildren view the river ride as one of their big adventures. I’ve always heard everything comes around full circle and I believe the second time around gets better and better. ~~Robert M “Buddy” High

Photo by Holt Messerly