Five Fathom Hudson s Bay Company fur-trade canoe, MP 120, 73 112 " Although the Hudson s Bay Company canoes were constructed at individual trading posts where material and builders were found, most ofthe canoes had very similar lines. Despite the small variations in style and shape, they generally had narrow bottoms, flaring topsides and sharp ends. The form was determined by the canoes use-whether it was to be a heavily laden trade canoe or a swifter, lighter traveling canoe-and the conditions ofthe local waterways. The largest size was a standard 5 112-fathom bottom length, used on the Montreal-Great Lakes route. Four- or 4 112fathom canoes were used on the long run into the northwest and smaller 3- or 3 112-fathom canoes were popular in the northern, difficult to navigate posts. The decorations were generally "in the style ofthe post" and thus varied greatly .from region to region. The circular patterns were credited to French origins. Much ofAdneys information came .from L. A. Christopherson, who had worked for the Hudson s Bay Company .from 1874 to 1919 and supervised the building of canoes, which were usually built by Indians on site. Adney used 10 pieces of birch bark to fashion the hull and ends ofthis HBC fur-trade canoe. Like the full-sized canoes, as bark
dries it becomes brittle and is susceptible to cracking and loss. CCI conservators painstakingly removed several accretions and realigned several ribs that had come loose. Most ofthe conservation efferts with this canoe were to the metal tins contained in the wicker basket. I n most instances there was considerable paint flaking and loss that needed stabilization and consolidation. Other smaller lead "coins" were soaked in a solution of5% sodium hydroxide and warmed to remove active corrosion.
Hudson's Bay Company canvas canoe, MP 127, 73 1/s" This large canoe, and its contents ofpaddles, cargo bundles, poles on which cargo would have rested in the bottom ofthe vessel, and a sail, required a substantial amount ofconservation. The ribs and interior sheathing were badly stained.from mouse urine. Conservators applied tissue to the interior using water to ensure contact, then placed damp paper poultice, Arbocel (BC 200 grade cellulose fiber), over the tissue. Within several hours the stain migrated into the poultice. Several specialized bleaches were also tested, but the stains partially remain. The urine also impacted a number of cloth bundles, representing HBC trade goods, stored in the canoe. A number oftreatments were tested, but had very little effect on the stains to the cloth until they tested a new technique of washing-fteezing-fteeze-drying items containing water-soluble dyes.
SEA HISTORY 99, WINTER 200 1-02
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