Old Meramec Float Pictures

[huz001]

Some pictures I found of jon boats (ours 24'). From 1897 to 1960 we had 5 made. and smallmouth fishing on the Meramec in the 1920s-1950s. Look at that hand carved paddle. One of an old Hog Trough bridge. One of the mill at Maramac springs (1898) (these are old family pictures).

[fiveweight]

Wow, those are amazing. Can you give any info on them? Which ones were from where or when?

[Gavin]

Nice pictures thanks for sharing them..Who made the boats and where were they from? They dont look like a Dabblemont or Charlie Barnes type of boat. Kind of like an Ausable boat with sware ends...

[huz001]

Nice pictures thanks for sharing them..Who made the boats and where were they from? They dont look like a Dabblemont or Charlie Barnes type of boat. Kind of like an Ausable boat with sware ends...

You are correct, this is the Current River style boat. My grandfather got the plans in Doniphan on the Current River in about 1920 and hired local boat builder from near Steelville. These boats were built on the site where they were to be used and launched. It usually took a boat builder about a week to complete the boat and 2 paddles. Ours were always 24' x 4' (width at the center) tapering to 18" at the bow and stern. When completed they were sunk for several days to swell the wood and close any leaks. It took 5-6 men to roll them over and empty them and they would then dry for several days in the sun. Total weight was about 250-300 pounds dry. I watched the last one built in 1960 (I was 13). They used local woods; sassafras, hickory, and some quarter-sawn white oak where straight grain mattered; like gunwales.

In 1960; the price of the wood was $47.50; labor was $100; total $147.50. In 1960 the bottom was made from plywood. Prior to that the bottoms were planked. We had boats built in 1906 (gig boat), 1921 (lost to flood), 1930, 1947 (broken on truck from float return trip), 1952 (lost to flood), and 1960 (sunk in 1969). Total price in 1921 was $38.00.

All of our boats were built from the same pattern; except prior to 1920 we uses gig boats to float (see picture under Current River forum). They were up to 28' - 32' long and only 2-3' wide at the center with an up-swept bow and stern.

As far as the pictures go; top left is our 1930 Jon Boat in the 1930's our boat at Huzzah Meramec junction; next to right is our boat in 1949 at Saranac Spring riffle, next to right in beginning of 3 boat float at Onondaga Cave before the bridge in 1926, next to right is the hog trough at the town of Scotia on the Huzzah Creek about 1947, next right is Maramac Spring Mill prior to 1900, and last is inside of Jon Boat in 1937. Dates on picture back.

Getting them back after a float was hard to do without a trailer; usually on a long bed truck with additional oak 2X4" 16' long under the boat for additional bracing to keep them from snapping in half on a bumpy gravel road.

Posted here is a 1914 boat on the Meramec near Onondaga. Notice planked bottom.

[WebFreeman]

That's neat stuff. Thanks for posting. Any idea what one would cost now?

[Al Agnew]

Great photos...I thought that one was at the Scotia Bridge. I remember the Scotia hog trough bridge, and the one at Blue Spring Creek.

[hank franklin]

Wow, love the pics, and the info. Thanks for sharing.

[DoctaJ]

Gavin, what river is your pic of? That is gorgeous

[Gavin]

Huz001, thanks again for the pictures and info..There isnt much available on the Current River style jons. You still have the plans? They should be preserved if you have them.

Doc, that pic is my friend Jeff McGowan's Ausable boat on the Holy Waters of the of the Ausable in Grayling, MI (Main stem at Stephan Bridge, just above Gates Lodge). Fellow in the orange hat is my friend Tim...Jeff's boat was built by Bob Smock Jr. in Grayling MI...24' long 32" bottom, 11" sides, 42" beam. Its designed to be poled, and floated down river, with a big chain dragging out the back. Its beautiful river, especially the South Branch through the Mason Tract. The north, south, and main stem offer great hatches, wild brook and brown trout but the catch rate and sizes arent as good as some of our Blue ribbon waters.

[little bronzie]

Neat pics of boats from such a nostalgic time. Have seen picture of mill at Maramec Spring before but from a different angle.