Fort George, Ontario, Canada, the reconstructed "War of 1812" site, is the centre of a project to rebuild a British "Bateau". Bateau were wooden boats powered mainly by oars and occasionally by square sails. During Canada's early years the road system was poorly developed or in part non-existant, so the lakes and rivers were used as the best means of transport. Bateau were used extensively for moving men and provisions, and as the "War of 1812" loomed twelve of these boats were stationed at Fort George.

Large version of photo/drawing at right (slow: 74K)

Nowadays the bateau have all but disappeared, only a few having been built in recent years. But through the combined efforts of volunteers from the, "Friends of Fort George", and the Fort's staff a bateau is now under construction in the Artificer's shop.

The bateau is based on a set of British Admiralty plans from the late 18th Century. It will measure 30 feet in length and 6 feet 6 inches in width, drawing about six inches of water. Nine pairs of oars will be fitted to the gunwales of the boat and a sweep-oar used to steer it.

A regular newsletter called, "Bateau News" is published by the Fort. If you would like more Bateau information the contact address is : Fort George, P.O.Box 1283, Niagara on the Lake, Ontario, LOS 1JO, Canada. Telephone : 001-905-641-0348.

Keith Raynor.

More Napoleonic Newsdesk Items:

Napoleonic Association Spring Conference
Endeavor
Association of Friends of Waterlooo
Conference on French Emigres
Highland Brigade

This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web.
Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com