18th Century Bateau (Illustration Courtesy Mark Peckham)  

This is a drawing of a typical 18th century bateau, the utilitarian watercraft of colonial America. Bateau is French for boat, but this vessel was used by the Dutch, French and English. Its design probably came from Holland. The flat-bottomed vessel was approximately 25-40 ft. long, pointed at both bow and stern. It was generally rowed, but could be poled in shallow water or a crude mast and sail deployed. It was built of pine planks and oak frames.


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