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Birchbark Replicas
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 The fiberglass birchbark replicas created by Ralph Frese appear to be the real thing to the casual observer. However, they have several advantages over a true bark craft in that they have a fine underwater hull shape for ease of paddling, dryness, and maneuverability and with a seamless one-piece hull, they are not subject to constant need to regum the seams. They have been made for canoeists involved in historical interpretation, for state parks, national parks, for several historical reenactments, clubs, and for film work. They range in size from 14 feets to 34 feet and can be varied to conform with various traditional and regional shapes.
The hull is fiberglass with the larger craft having a bottom stiffened with
a foam core eliminating the necessity of ribs. The outer surface has the
pattern of birchbark with a three dimentional texture. Each piece of bark
is tinted to a different color and each section is highlighted with additional
shading.
The three dimentional pitch marks are carefully placed to give the illusion
of additional panels of bark sewn on the hull pieces and the gore marks
made to give the canoe its shape. The gunwales, thwarts and seats are of
Sitka spruce, the lightest, strongest wood available. The gunwale caps are
of white ash. Thwarts are mortised into the gunwales Indian fashion and
lashed into place. Seats were slung from the gunwales in the old days with
cordage but we use stainless steel bolts to simulate the cordage hanging
them from the gunwales. The gunwales are lashed with vinyl simulating the
root lashings used on historic craft. The bow and stern upper stems are
also lashed for realism. Such attention to details are not found in other
so-called voyager canoes on the market.
To achieve such a high degree of realism requires costly materials and much time and patience, but the results are worth it. For more information contact Ralph Frese at the Chicagoland Canoe Base or via email at ralph@chicagolandcanoebase.com.
Photo Gallery
Here are several samples of birchbark replicas, many of which were built for historic reenactments. Click on any photo for a larger view.
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A small 14 foot bark replica
such as a hunter would have used. |
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A 20 foot early Algonquin style, typical of the four man
caft used by our early explorers. |
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A 20 foot early Algonquin
style four man canoe decorated with winter bark designs created by Ralph
Frese at Chicagoland Canoe Base. |
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A 26 foot North canoe sailing
off the Garden Peninsula in Lake Michigan. |
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A 34 Foot Canot du Maitre
or Master canoe being picked up at the Chicagoland Canoe Base. |
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One of six 20 foot early
Algonquin birchbark canoes built for the LaSalle Expedition II in the bicentennial
year. |
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Twenty-three participants
at the starting ceremony in Montreal in August of 1976, ready to ascend
the Lachine Rapids. |
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Voyaging down Lake Michigan
during the coldest winter in 100 years, the ice-coated craft rest on the
beach during a meal stop. |
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Arriving at the mouth of
the Mississippi River in April of 1977, the party gave thanks, sang the
Te Deum, and LaSalle once again claims the entire Mississippi watershed
for the glory of France! |
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