Fur Trade Prototypes (23 MAR)

Updated 23 MARCH 21 Trapper boat with Blackfoot Indians to come. 

A keelboat is a riverine cargo-capable working boat, with shallow structural keels, nearly flat-bottomed, which is sometimes also called a “poleboat”. These boats are designed for the navigation of rivers, shallow lakes and sometimes canals that were commonly used in America, including use in great numbers by settlers making their way west. They were also used extensively for transporting cargo to market, and for exploration and trading expeditions, because water transport was then the most effective means to move bulky or heavy cargo.

Keelboats were similar to riverboats, but like other barges were un-powered and were typically propelled and steered with oars or “setting poles”.

The process of moving a keelboat upriver was extremely difficult, depending on the current. Most keelboats were 50 to 80 feet long and 15 feet wide, with a cabin in the middle or at the rear, but were also sometimes constructed with an open deck.

Keelboats have been used for exploration, such as during the Lewis and Clarke Expedition, but were primarily used to transport cargo or settlers in the early 19^th Century.

The jjD Keelboat, which is inspired by the boat in the 2015 movie “The Revenant” (Can’t believe it’s really been over 5 years!), allows for a similar scene where a group of trappers and mountain men are attacked by a war party!
It can also be used as a center piece for a trading post display.

A war party of Blackfoot warriors will hopefully be previewed in May.
The Keelboat should be available later this year.

Trappers at rest

THE FUR TRADE - THE CROW Update from John 8 JUNE)

It wasn’t all a time of fun and games, and life as a mountain man/trapper was always dangerous.

The main tribe that trappers clashed with on a regular basis were the Blackfoot Indians.
The Blackfoot continually fought with the trappers, attempting time and again to drive them out of their territory at every opportunity.

These Rendezvous were known to be lively, joyous places, where all were welcome, fur trappers, Indians, native trapper wives, and children, travellers and later on even tourists who would venture from as far as Europe to observe the festivities.
They were described as events “full of myrth, songs, dancing, shouting, trading, running, singing, racing, target-shooting, yarns, frolics, with all sorts of extravagances that white men or Indians could invent!”
This “Whisky” inspired section, should be a whole load of fun, as it will include trading and drinking scenes, set around the trading post, “Fort Whoop-Up”!, and as you can see from the concept drawing the band is already getting back together!
Fort Whoop-UP, (originally Fort Hamilton) was the official name given to a trading post, near what is now Lethbridge, Alberta. During the 19^th Century the post served as a centre for trading activities, including the illegal trade of whisky.

The “Scalps” part of WSP, will represent a skirmish between a Trapper Brigade, and a war party of Blackfoot Indians, the Centrepiece of which will be a “Keel Boat” similar to the boat which was used in the opening scene of the 2015 movie, “The Revenant.”

As the well known saying goes “All good things come to those who wait”
I thank you all for your continued patience, but there should be some new editions to this series in the next few months..

Best wishes
john jenkins