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Glide is the oldest known Chesapeake Bay sailing log canoe and
is in the care of Mr. John T. Adams of Annapolis, Maryland. Glide
was built by Hammond Skinner (b. 1823) in Town Point, Dorchester County,
Maryland, in ca. 1864 and has been in the Adams family (Cambridge, Maryland) for
over 50 years. Documentary evidence indicates that Glide was named
Monkey by her builder, as a tribute to a little girl who played on her hull
while under construction. Glide was also known as Daredevil
during part of her career. Glide was used as working boat until forty years ago
and, unlike so many log canoes, was never converted for motorized operation,
which has preserved her original hull integrity; no propeller shaft hole was
ever drilled. Glide's bottom is fashioned from three pine logs held
together by pegged biscuit cross-pieces. The topsides are built up with
planks which are internally braced. Two thwarts serve as main and mizzen
mast supports. Hollowed blocks are fitted to the central log under each
thwart to serve as mast steps. The hull is completed by masterful joinery
that structurally integrates the three central logs with the bow and stern
pieces. Glide's topside consists of a trimmed narrow "half-deck" finished
with a band of narrow coaming. The builders Harrison and Chappelle are
known to have worked on Glide, in particular, Mr. Chappelle restored her after she was
wrecked during a hurricane at which time he took her lines. Today Glide is being
evaluated for full restoration, at Ero Wooden Boats in Still Pond, Maryland.
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