Broadhorns: King of the Rivers by Larry Devine

Larry Devine
  Researcher and Riverman

The Broadhorn King of the Rivers

 By Larry Devine

 Author, Researcher, and Artist   

Arks landed along Big Pine Creek, West Branch, Susquehanna River, Pennsylvania 19th Century
(Sebastian, Absalom Shade , Known to hold taxes on a Mill on this Section of river.

This image represents the voyage of Absalom Shade and his crews as they get under way to sell his entire cargo at Port Dalhousie on Lake Ontario.

                   

A Comparative History of Life, and Navigation Along the "Great Waterways"

The rise of the “Broadhorn” to royal standing was indeed earned. It's elevation to such a prestigious position was one of honour, not majestic entitlement. It's rise to a respected role was due it's servitude in the humble saga of the early pioneer. It gained favour amongst river folk prior to the coming of the western steamboat. The “King of the River” in every description was crude and rustic leviathan. He was deceptively rigid, yet supple enough to ride the current of a raging river. His design was simplicity itself. The Broadhorn became a God send during the times of danger. It also provided a means for transporting large cargoes of pioneer produce to the early markets. This story is dedicated to both Canadian and |Americans whose early ancestors were the river pioneers and were part of the Broadhorn's legacy







Here the Arks can be view along the shore of Pine Creek. The region of Pennsylvania where Absalom Shade was raised as a child.
  This is a small grouping of Arks. One has been designated for use as a stabling vessel (furthest away), another for an office with diner, and supply boat. They were styled to meet the particular needs of the crew and mission. Absalom embraced this tradition of the river transportation..



This boat was for the practical pioneer who wanted to hire or use  a vessel, which could effectively be navigated down “North American Waterways efficiently, yet economically

It was crowned “King of the River”, because of it's service to our early settlers in times of distress. It gained it's noble reputation, as “hero” because of the function it provided during the Great Run-A-Way. It was an effective and speedy  way to escape formidable enemies. In the spring or fall Broadhorns ruled the waterways. They could be found anywhere along the rivers from the Susquehanna, and as far south as the Red River adjoining the Mississippi, at it's southern extremity. Thousands of immigrants depended on the Ark as they moved away from overcrowded cities in the east, they clamoured aboard flatboats travelling to the southwest from ports at Allegheny and Pittsburgh, after travelling from eastern seaports, such as, Philadelphia, thereby swelling the local Broadhorn population.

This was in                              the celebration of Canada's Mellennium celebration and appeared with this companion below
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The Broadhorn came into use in the 18th and 19th century in western regions of America. As
the United States expanded so to did flatboat take on new appearances, The Flatboats now took on more monikers. At various river ports, ie  Pittsburgh, Pa; Harrodsburg, Ky. The new vessles took on more monikers. The Kentucky Boat, Ark, Broadhorn, New Orleans Boat for a few examples. The voyages began where the  rivers of the northern mountainous territory  met the Ohio, Kentucky, Cumberland river valleys. In one jounrney recorded in the Biography of John Norton, recorded that he had made a journeys to the boyhood home of Joseph Brant,

 Here he witness a magnificient panorama. He could see all sizes of  Flatboats  loading and departing at Pitttsburg, Here the vessels decended in route through the Ohio River Valley to the Cresent city of New Orleans, along the Mississippi River, While traveling down the Ohio river it's recorded the thousands of these vessels could be found into the late 19th century

During this raid, British forces and warriors quickly ancended. and caused havock Settlers were forced  react quickly.  Hastly the cut timber and constructed  numerous craft including Arks. This was a time of tribulation and trepidation! The migrations of escaping settlers were boarding flatboats as quickly as they were constructed.

For generations the Broadhorn was chiefly constructed spring and fall to send harvests to
market.Arks, Along with the Keelboats continued to be built well past the time of Absalom Shade's (founder of Shades Mill, Upper Canada) boyhood. Although, the construction of these river vessels had tapered off along the Susquehanna River region, especially during the logging drives, it continued to be used well into the mid 1800's on the lower tributaries of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. Therefore, the knowledge of boat building was common to many children of the many river communities”

This raft is constructed of rough timber, the cabin is constructed of straw, They are headed to market down river".

The Broadhorn on the River Ouse

It would take the knowledge of a few boys from the United States to change the course of history along the banks of the “Mighty Ouse River”, as it was then known. After Absalom Shade arrived, others would follow, therefore adding to the upsurge of flatboat building, skill and navigating experience,
Even though Absalom was not the first nt the first flatboat builder along the River Ouse to enter the newly constructed Welland Feeder and Canal, he was the first to accomplish this success with of seven large and majestic Arks. Absalom realized, in order to attain his dream for the wealth he desired, he needed a more efficient vessel to get his year's inventory to Lake Ontario

William Hamilton Merritt

In this era, the point fo trans-shipping goods to distant markets was by using the Great Lakes. The most popular lake was the Lake Ontario,  Access to this lake was a small was the town known as  Dundas, and it was anything but easy to reach.

Absalom had known this better than most! He had constructed several roads using conventional materials, and was concidered to be admired and respected by others for his engineering capabilities, However, these building materials for road construction could not withstand the heavy traffic and hard winters, Weather only hampered the road conditions in these harsh conditions which included a marshy base. The Spring thaw in Upper Canada.conditions hampered his abilities to reach the port at Dundas before other shippers. Traversing these roads was slow at the best of times due to the long lines of loaded waggons. Traffic along them was arduous, causing massive ruts made by horses and oxen; along with other delays. This district became tretcherous at the best of  times. Their were places along the road where a lone horseman fell victim to Quicksand and mire. They were swallowed up to their head gear.  Ruts caused by the waggons made voyages through the treacherous stretches in the Beverly Swamp, impossible to travel safely.

Connestoga Waggon of the period.

Therefore, until the western steamboat could travel the River Ouse,(Also known as the Grand River) Absalom Shade favoured a plan to to construct a number of large “Arks” as they were known along Susquehanna. In a few short year he would become co-founder of a new and popular canal system to control navigation. It would be called the “Grand River Navigation Company”.

There were many power brokers and stock-brokers such as  the Yates Family of New York State. William Dickson, Sir Allan Napier Mc Nab, David Thompson, Wilkes family, and the Jacksons The list of share holders continues with the powerful Six Nations Confederation being major shares in the company.

The Broadhorn Evolves

The use and evolution of the Broadhorn in North America continued under such names as a Flatboat, Ark, a Kentucky or New Orleans boat. (this means the Kentucky boat would be travelling within Kentucky or the New Orleans be travelling en-route to New Orleans) and remained in use, eventhough their hulls became modified for comparable uses on the river.

These enlarged flat bottom boats became barges, which now made it possible to transport mineral rich Gypsum to markets outside Upper Canada. These barges were towed by steamers which towed them or pushed them along the Grand or Welland Canal. Once reaching Port Robinson or Chippewa, barges would be connected in groups, and continue to be towed to Buffalo or Flat Rock. Grand River millers and merchants relied on river transportation for transporting their produce.

With interests centering on river transportation and mining, canal boats and scows eventually ended trade for the Broadhorn. The River Ouse, also received it's former name "the Grand river" instigated when new territories were renamed from Upper and Lower Canada to Canada East and West just years before Confederation. From this point onward, the River Ouse was called the Grand River. (Note: Another river was in use at Grand Rapids, Michigan known a the Grand River)

Simultaneously, steamers were being constructed, (for instance the Grand River Chief, the Queen, and the Red Jacket" were using 10 hp high-pressure non-condencing steam engines for propulsion ) were constructed for towing, freight, and passenger service. The Wilkes family, The Thompson Family, had heavily invested in this river trade, They were amongs't those who ordered their vessels with engines that would be suitable for both river and lake voyages. These river steamers were ordered based cost, river characteristics, and  intended use.

Visionaries like Absalom Shade, and William H. Merrittwould support this river project until major railway companies became a major source of interference that made slack waterways a disadvantage. Other men in partnership with Absalom including Sir Allan MacNab, Wm. Merritt, would work diligently on behalf of their settlement's progress and to build their own personal wealth.

Absalom's key contribution would  prove to facilitate the introduction of the Broadhorn for river commerce on a larger scale and usher in a period of mass river transport. This growth had not been conceived prior to to the steamer or the railway.

This Ark, is early in the construction stage. It is receiving the hull.

Building Broadhorns

The Broadhorn became popular due to two basic yet momentous reasons. It was simple and quick to build and easy to or recycle it's construction materials. The latter became the most important reason. The name was established by settlers and by the region in which they were located. For instance, along the Grand the Broadhorn wad called an Ark because someone thought the flatboat looked like Noah’s Ark. Seriously, the name was brought to the Ouse by Absalom, This was due to the truth that they were called Arks along the West Branch of the Susquehanna River. Perhaps they called it an Ark due to the way it carried itself on the spring floods like the biblical tale.

“On western waterways, they have a variety on names”, said Josephine Philips. They used the moniker “Kentucky or New Orleans Boat according to the probable destination of it's freight and passengers, a Broadhorn because of the huge oars that appears like horns in the water. Some reports say that the pilots and crew would mount cattle horns to the front for decoration or to distinguish the front from the rear of the vessel. (A mast head on a sea going vessel) Shade himself, more than likely called it an Ark, because it was name he had known all along. Anything else was just prattle. He was most interested in using it as the best alternative to circumvent the Beverly Swamp and get to were he could sell his cargo.

Building and navigating the Broadhorn was second nature to him. Likely his sister son “James Fargus” who assisted him in the day to day operation of his business also worked as a crewman, along with William Dickson junior, who was recorded in Mr. Ferguson’s reminiscences of Upper Canada. Interestingly enough most of the earliest residents of Shades Mills were American and had been located in Upper New York State or Pennsylvanian before being hired by Absalom.

The Ark on the River Ouse was almost with certainty constructed in the same method as the craft built along the Susquehanna, or those of the Shakers of Pleasent Hill settlement along the Kentucky River. They were known to be suppliers of this vessel through out America. Most often Broadhorns were purchased along the river banks or at the headwaters. Pittsburgh, Cincinnati.

Absalom without a shred of doubt had everything he would need to build as many boats as he needed. This included a substantial supply of timber, a lumber mill, and a selection of strong and able crewmen. Most importantly, he had the skills passed down from generation of millers, lumbermen, carpenters, teamsters, and navigators. To provide a look into those practices of early boat building, I was fortunate to to receive a manuscript written by Mrs Josephine Philips . Here she documents ,both the use and construction, of the Broadhorn. It contains an excerpt from Capt. Miles Stacey as he builds his Ark. This manuscript was a gift from the Ohio Historical Society.

Akin to the needs of farmers, flatboats were constructed along any American river. In Phillip's “ Flatboats on the Great Thoroughfare” , Capetian Stacey, inexperience flatboat builder and farmer shares his construction methods.” When building my boats, I go into the forest and cut my timber. I select logs from stands of White Oak and Yellow Poplar due to their strength and buoyancy.

Using Oxen, I haul these logs to the river for rafting to the village mill. Here the oak is sawn into planks, shingles, and framing timbers. The Yellow Poplar is milled for use in the gunnel. They are prepared by lining, scoring and hewing. Once the logs are hewn on both sides by a broad axe to an 18 inch thickness. At this point they are loaded into skids to be ripped into two using a whipsaw. The gunnels measure 9 inches thick and as wide as the tree could make them. On the gunnels, 2 stingers are placed running the length if the boat. 80 – 90 feet in length. Now they are ready to be pinned to the cross members by wood pegs. No nails are used anywhere only White Oak pegs.

1 1/2' planks are fastened to the frame, which up to this point have been constructed wrong side up. The gunnels were placed onto skids reach out over the river bank, the hull is calked, and it is launched by knocking the skids from the boat. It slides into the river. After loading a wagon with rock, it is reloaded into one side of the the boat, it is placed across the river. Gradually, the stone is tossed off and the river's current flips the boat's hull right side up.

The hull is brought back to the bank. Water left in the hull is bailed out and mortices are cut 3 feet apart along the gunnels. Into the mortices we fit 5' dovetail tee studding and secure them with more Oak pegs. The first courses of cabin planks are 2” thick and 18”.wide. Then planks 1 1/2 wide were used for the next rows until they reached the roof of the cabin. The roof was

constructed and vaulted using shingles. A stairway was installer the cabin complete with a hatchway leading to a lazy board. This board was used by the captain,pilot, oarsmen, and for attaching the sweeps This Lazy board was also used as a resting place when the crew members were off duty.

The two sweeps measure 30-40' long and placed 1/3 of the way back from the bow, and steering oar measures 65-70 feet and fastened to the stern. It reaches over 1/3 of the roof of the vessel, along with poles and paddles to help keep the keep the Ark within the current, the boats

were equipped with sleeping quarters, fireplaces for serving meals. Other arks may have stables or storage areas for cargo.

The flatboat, as I said previously, was difficult to navigate but the Shades were experienced in navigating most vessels. Notably his brother Paul Shade was and experienced Keel-boat pilot, his nephew Absalom Shade Tipton was a legend in Pennsylvania, There was Wm, Dickson Jr. Who also piloted scows for Absalom as early as 1827. Along with others from New York that worked to build Shades Mills. Without a little doubt could have fulfilled the position of crew. Therefore, a six to seven member crew was obtainable by 1827. His total crew for seven Arks would reach 49 members in all.

As James Young had not completed the in depth history of the Arks, we have to look to American navigation history to find comparisons to explain the methods used by Absalom Shade and his crew.

Editor and Authuor of the Galt Reformer  and  "Reminisciences" of  Galt and  Dumfries. 

Mr Young  had this image of Shades Mill commissioned  Homer Watson  a famous Canadian  artist to  sketch 

an apporvimate  likeness of the river and the village during the year 1820. 

 The Broadhorns Heroic Past
The reputation, as a hero has been acclaimed because of it;s service to patriotic during the dark days when it was required for evasive action to escape invasion from enemies. It was also required as a suitable Honeymoon suite and research vessel by President Roosevelt’s great uncle , Nicholas. It was used to discover mineral deposits, such as, coal which became a significant element in the growth of Pittsburgh and to the State of Pennsylvania. In fact the Broadhorn carried cargo essential to the growth of America and Upper Canada .

The Broadhorn, known as Ark on the Susquehanna played a part in three separate and definitive occurrences in American history.

Although many were patriots , others were not, and the raiders were indiscriminate in this quest. One day the settlers were warned that such a party was advancing. They quickly began to assemble every type of vessel they could float, including Arks.

These “Broadhorns” were fast and easy to build , were used during the spring floods, late into the mid 1800's for the log drives. These vessels were designed to carry sleeping quarters, equipment, and stabling for the horses needed at the camps.

Williamsport, and Lock Haven located along the West Branch of the Susquehanna where important milling towns. Sabastian Absaloms Father milled along Pine Creek It is proven by tax records in the states archives. It was the location of many the largest logging booms, and the destination of Arks building .

Arks and logs decending Pine Creek enrout to  Williamsport.

 their way from the many of the creeks, including Pine Creek, a place where Absalom's father was taxed on a mill. The last drive ended in 1862.

Along the Grand, little was written about the early river craft, their were accounts written by Bill Moyer of Waterloo County. He opines; that “Galt and Preston owes it's success, in part, to the timber trade up river. Many of the mills in Shade's Mills by 1827, were kept busy  manufacturing wood for the various cooperage products such as barrels for pork, and high-wine both building planks, sashes, doors and other goods. These were exported by Absalom Shade on his journey south toward the Welland Feeder Canal. This historical account had been first recorded by James Young, of Galt in the 1870's.

Most Canadians and Americans know of Lincoln's presidential achievements, but little was taught of his exploits along the river, and of his flat-boating experience. Honest Abe, as he was affectionately refereed to, was fortunate as a young man, to have the opportunity to obtain varied perspectives concerning the slave trade.This was a common practivce. Passing along the Ohio, there were slaves everywhere.  He was also contracted to build, and pilot such craft southwards to New Orleans. He was well known for these navigation skills, and drew upon them to accomplish such tasks. For instance, between farm chores, he assisted in the operation across the Ohio River into Kentucky. He was 18 when he built his first vessel to row out over the shallows, to steamers out on the river. (This story was furnished by the Kentucky Historical Socitey)

This image is taken at the Historic Societies Museum at Frankfort, Kentucky. It id the set for a play based on the History of the  Kentucky and Ohio River. A Keel boat is revealed  in the backgroun painting. A keelboat moves both up and down river using pullies, poles, rope or sail. An ark uses poles rudder,s and sweeps. Paul Shaded asended the Susquahana to Kettle Creek  using a keel Boat.

The story of Abe's Broadhorn voyages commenced, one night after supper while living at his home, now on the Ohio side of the river. Allen Gentry and Abe built their Broadhorn travelled

piloted it south to New Orleans. It was 1,000 miles down the twisting Mississippi River and they travelled from sun up to sundown. The two brawny boys pulled hard on the long sweeps as it moved through the current. Although, their flatboat was not equipped with a cabin, they had built a rickety lean to on deck. When night fell they, tied down the boat to a tree or stump on the muddy bank.

While at New Orleans, he saw his first auction of slaves. At this time, slavery was lawful throughout the states, south of the Ohio River. This tall youthful man winced at the sight of the gangs of men, tormented and tethered by chains, onward to the multitude of plantations. Later Lincoln lamented,” Slavery is a continual torment to me. It was mostly these experiences that motivated him to achieve great success in his role as president.

Great men achieved their greatest skill while navigating aboard this noble vessel. Many stories have re-focused our attention about their exploits. The story tellers like Mark Twain and James Young have drawn our attention and have provided us the opportunity to reflect into our past.

In Conclusion

After the Grand River Canal was constructed the Ark was no longer used, however, the scow hull of the classic flaboat was used in barge design and continued to be towed between various ports between Buffalo and |Brantford. The Runchey Brothers built a large number of barges to carry the rich plaster, sand, and rock from the mines and quarries along the Grand River.

The stylish quarried stone used in constructing Ruthven , a stately mansion belonging to David Thompson. It was barged to the building site at Indiana.. There were many barges in use to import and export goods along the river and it's canals. The flatboat deck remained unchanged but it's cabin was removed to adapt him for new payloads . The hull was mad deeper, and now resembled the canalers used along the Erie or Welland Canals. Sometime later steel replaced wood in constructing their hulls. Size in their breadth and length was increased to double and even triple their normal size.

The Broadhorn of the Ouse, would suffer the same fate as other Arks along other waterways, such as the Susquehanna, Kentucky, Ohio and Mississippi. Similar fates were shared by other river craft like the keel-boat and raft which came in the form of the high-pressure steam-boat which also became victimized to the speed of the railway service. The steamboat would feel the political hoo-ha, as the developers lobbied for public's financial support. Arguments were almost identical as steam boatmen believed that more incidents and accident would increase do to excessive speed, while the railway interests claimed that steam-boat succumbed to more boiler explosions than what was tenable.

Although, it is true that the railroad was faster, and less expensive, their claim to safety could be contested. In Canada West the various news papers were spewing out the anti-canal rhetoric and pro railway propaganda. Eventually, the press was reporting railway disasters, The derailments on the Great Western, Bridge at Galt, and the greatest ever at the “Desjardin's Canal Bridge in Dundas.

Many families lost loved ones, the Devine family was not an exception! Sisters, Ellen and Mary were snatched in the prime of their youth. While aboard the Great Western Railway steam locomotive Oxford departed Hamilton and was approaching the swing bridge crossing over the Desjardin's Canal disaster struck. As the were on the bridge it collapsed from underneath and the entire train dropped below into the canal below. The official report stated that faulty construction and inferior materials caused it to cave. Another two railway bridges collapsed, one occurred at Galt where it crosses the Grand River the second at St. George. There was loss of life at both. Derailments still occurred with even greater risk of catastrophic out comes.

The the debates continued, the railways, eventually came out victorious. Their operating season, ability to successfully lobby political support and public favour won out. Barge work was lost and the steamboat on the smaller waterways lost business. Eventually, the Grand River Navigation Company became insolvent and the navigation locks, and dams fell into disrepair. Only water power was sold to run mills until stationary coal fuelled steam engines replaced water-powered mills. Even-though, the Grand River Navigation Company were in the belief that co-existence with the rail interest was possible and there was enough business for both, the truth is that the railways were not willing to share anything. By the 1870's the last river traffic ceased. Both Absalom Shade and Wm Hamilton Merritt had swung their support away from the G.R.N.C. navigation not reaching Galt, thereby not fulfilling the spirit of the original charter. He aligned his loyalties with the Great Western, and other rail projects. Mr. Merritt also kept a limited interest in the Welland, but heavily invested with the Welland Canal Rail. These gentlemen believed in the possibility of navigable water-ways. But like Absalom he believed that the Arks were never considered to be permanent method to fulfilling the difficult answer to his freight handling difficulties. The Hon. James Young would later criticize the Arks as being a failed and comical venture. But the Arks, sufficiently transported, his goods at reasonable cost until the Charter for the G.R.N.C was awarded.

Perhaps, the failure of the G.R.N. C. Would have succeeded if they ha complied with the original charter least. At would have kept the railways interests at bay. I was impracticable for business interests above Brantford to do their shipping at there. I was too distant! The Canada Land Company above Galt, were reluctant to participate due to this distance from their lands above Galt. Other Shade allegiances, would not support a depot so far south, and they all but ignored doing business. The supporters of navigation kept up a fight to lure the head of navigation away from Brantford as late as

After Absalom Shade and his crew returned home to Galt with a fist full of money from the sale of his shipments, he prepared himself for the beginning of a rewarding directorships in the designation of Commissioner. Working with the “Committee for the Improvement of Inland Navigation”, during the first “Welland Canal . He also served as the co-founder and a director Grand River Navigation Company, Great Western Railway, the Gore Bank, and his continued interests in politics.

Finally my research into the Broadhorns story has revealled the true nature in Absalom's decidion to use the Arks. James Young and David Wood  wrote that the fleet of arks was a failed venture. I do not concur.  At the Hamiliton Library Special Collections " Land Family Collection, I found new material to support my point of view. I have also visited a number of collections which lists  Absalom's activity  as he served on varios Select Committees, committe for the Improvement of  Inland Navigation,  Absalom has placed himself in the most rellevant commissions,  which made the best of  skills to develope the canal systems.

He was always aware of the risks and values while making important decidions he always accessed  each project. I believe that he viewed the Arks as a short term solutionn to his business needs as a methode of transporting his trade good to Lake Ontario. His know how in the use of navigating Arks would bridge the time gap. He makes effective use of the Arks untile a formal slack water navigation system can be develope. I am also fully aware he was deeply involved with  developing a railway into Galt, making certian that Galt would  always gain an upper hand in developing  its industrial sstrength..

Shade's  Arks succeeded in their task, Absalom passed he years trade goods to Port Dalhouse on Lake Ontario. Sold the lumer used to construct the Arks, and finally and AS USUAL MADE A PROFIT IN DOING SO! 

James Young and other' Doulbting Thomas's  would not succeed in the end.