Thompson Hiawatha Canoe Restoration
This is a Thompson Brothers Hiawatha Canoe. It is difficult to date Thompson canoes, but the best guess it that it dates from the 1930's. It has fairly high bows and has the half ribs installed so that there is no gap between them and the full ribs, so the floor of the canoe is completely solid. The deck has the remains of an old decal, which might be unusual, as most Thompson canoes had a metal tag on the decks. The seats, outside stems and keel appear to be white maple, outwales are spruce. The canoe is in fairly good shape, except for an area of several broken ribs.
Located in western Oregon, USA
©2010, Martin Ferwerda
©2010, Martin Ferwerda
Preston and view of interior of canoe, notice no gaps between ribs
What is left of the decal on bow deck
Broken Ribs
Canvas removed
How Thompson gored planks
Epoxying toothpicks into stem holes
Restored seats
Seats need refinishing
Interior stripped
Stem tip splices
Dry fit of stem tip splice
Preparing to scarf in new ribs
New ribs bent on 18 foot form, ribs placed to roughly match corresponding place on the 17 foot canoe
Bent rib, ready to install
Scarfed ribs installed with epoxy
Interior of canoe varnished
Canoe canvased and filled
Finished canoe