| The Skaneateles Boat &
Canoe Company was established in 1893 by George Smith and James Ruth who
purchased the assets of their former employer, the Bowdish Manufacturing
Company of Skaneateles, New York. Smith, a native of Scotland, had worked
for Bowdish since 1890. His partner, James Ruth, a native of Peterboro,
Canada, had been recruited by Bowdish to build "Canadian" canoes.
The shop was initially located on West Genesee Street. In 1902 a new
factory was acquired on Jordan Street and enlarged to accommodate the
expanding business.
The earliest catalog known to exist was issued in 1910, so little is
known about their product line before then. However, one may assume that it
paralleled that of its predecessor. The 1910 offering included launches,
square stern rowboats, canoes, small sailing craft and St. Lawrence skiffs.
The company advertised that they were willing to accept orders for custom
designs, and were capable of building boats up to 50 ft in length. . |
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Lapstrake hull construction was utilized for the majority of the boats
produced. Many were fastened with copper rivets and outfitted with premium
hardwood trim. Runabouts, larger sailboats, and outboard motor boats were
gradually added to the product line following WWI.
The company continued to prosper throughout the 1920s. Later in the decade
launches and runabouts disappeared from the catalogs and were replaced by larger
sailing craft and outboard motor boats. By 1932 the offering had narrowed to
rowboats, multipurpose boats (which could be rowed, sailed or powered by
outboard motor) and sail boats.
In September, 1930 a fire broke out as James Ruth was firing the steam
boiler, and the entire factory burned to the ground. Ruth was badly burned in
the conflagration, and died a few days later. A "fireproof" facility constructed
largely of concrete was built on the site and production resumed.
Undoubtedly the business struggled as did nearly every other enterprise as
the country sank deeper into the Great Depression. In 1932 George Smith sold to
business to John and George Barnes, two brothers who were avid sailing
enthusiasts and would soon chart a different course for the company. George
Smith said at the time that he had built over 5,000 boats in the past 42 years.