Historic Canoe Catalogs
B. N. Morris Canoes

The following information was drawn from a collection of old Morris catalogs by Benson Gray. The catalogs represented here cover the range of canoes that B. N. Morris built in it's factory in Veazie, Maine. This was the first to advertise canvas-covered canoes in the 1887 issue of Field and Stream magazine according to their turn of the century catalogs.

Models

MODEL A, is for all-round use, and will be found efficient, safe, staunch and comfortable, principally due to the flat floor, full rounded sides, and remarkable surface bearing. Its dimensions are moderate and pleasing in lines, and from its first appearance on the market up to this day, all users have only the highest appreciation. This model is built with two styles of ends; the Special, or so-called Torpedo ends, illustrated on Pages 8 and 9, and the Standard ends, as illustrated on Page 10.

MODEL B, which is a later development, has been very much appreciated by those who desire a canoe with greater capacity, for family use. It has been on the market a number of years, with a steady increase in demand. Its lines in general are very pleasing, and its paddling qualities are exceptional, considering its dimensions. It is also a very fine model to equip for rowing.

MODEL C, carries about the same dimensions as Model A, except that it has less tumble-home sharper lines fore and aft. It is a fairly speedy canoe.

MODEL D, is a design with more freeboard and less tumble-home. Has quite a flat bottom, and is very seaworthy. Its paddling qualities in quick water are excellent, and it is unequaled as an open sailing canoe. Its principal uses are hunting and cruising.

Description of Types

THE term Type is used to designate the style in which the canoe is finished, and does not in any way apply to quality. There is only one quality in Morris Canoes-the best. Three combinations (Types 1, 2 and 3) go to make up our stock line. Other combinations, as described elsewhere, are termed extra and special features, which can be added or substituted to suit the desires.

Type 1 has short decks of mahogany, neatly patterned, mahogany seat frames and braces. Inwales and outwales are white spruce. Other wood parts in all types are cedar.

Type 2 has 24-inch mahogany decks with coaming, mahogany outwales and spruce inwales stained to match, mahogany seat frames and braces. Flagstaff sockets included.

Type 3 is in all respects the same as Type 2 except that it has outside oak stems.

Woodwork in all types is finished natural with three coats of varnish. The canvas covering is of the best texture and filled with the best materials for service and fine finish. All stock canoes have a keel. Ends are finished with polished brass plates extending well under keel. All seats cane-filled. Canoes 17 feet or longer have a center brace detachable. All open wales and special wales are made of mahogany.

All prices on canoes include keels and floor racks.

To the above Types, extras may be added at extra cost such as longer decks, striping and decorating, rub rails, bilge keels and special keels with or without brass plate full length. Canoes with auxiliary ribs (short ribs in bottom between regular ribs) if not in stock must be built from the be inning, allowing four to five weeks.

Materials And Finish

All woodwork in the hulls of Morris canoes is cedar, with either spruce or mahogany rails, as may be desired. The hulls are canvas-covered, the canvas filled with a neutral preservative composition, after which filling coats are applied and every vestige of the canvas texture is covered. The final coats are color and varnish, producing a surface equal in appearance to that of a fine carriage enamel.

The outside of the hulls is thoroughly oiled before the canvas cover is put on, and the inside and all woodwork are finished in varnish, bringing out all the beauty of the natural grain.
MODEL A.   NET PRICES, DIMENSIONS, ETC.
Model
and
Number		 Extreme
Length		 Three Styles in Finish Width in Center Depth
in Center		 Height
at Ends		 Capacity
on 4-in
Draught		 Weight
About		 Shipping
Weight
About
Price
Type 1		 Price
Type 2		 Price
Type 3		 On Rail Extreme
A 62 15 ft. $40.00 $46.50 $48.00 30½ in. 33     in. 12 in. 25 in. 400 lbs. 60 lbs. 100 lbs.
A 63 16 ft.   40.00   46.50   48.00 31      " 33½   "  12   "  25   "  500   "   65   "   110   "  
A 64 17 ft.   40.00   46.50   48.00 31½   "  34       " 12   "  25   "  575   "   70   "   115   "  
A 65 18 ft.   42.00   48.50   50.00 32      " 34½   "  12   "  25   "  650   "   75   "   120   "  
A 66 20 ft.   47.00   53.50   55.00 34      " 36½   "  12   "  26   "  900   "   85   "   125   "  

MODEL B.   NET PRICES, DIMENSIONS, ETC.
Model
and
Number		 Extreme
Length		 Three Styles in Finish Width in Center Depth
in Center		 Height
at Ends		 Capacity
on 4-in
Draught		 Weight
About		 Shipping
Weight
About
Price
Type 1		 Price
Type 2		 Price
Type 3		 On Rail Extreme
B 70 12 ft. $35.00 $41.50 $43.00 32     in. 34     in. 12 in. 22 in.   450 lbs. 55 lbs. 100 lbs.
B 71 13 ft.   37.00   43.50   45.00 33       " 35       " 13   "  24   "    500   "   60   "   100   "  
B 72 15 ft.   41.00   47.50   49.00 33       " 35½   "  13   "  26   "    525   "   65   "   100   "  
B 73 16 ft.   42.00   48.50   50.00 33½   "  36       " 13   "  26   "    572   "   70   "   115   "  
B 74 17 ft.   42.00   48.50   50.00 34       " 37       " 13   "  26   "    650   "   75   "   120   "  
B 75 18 ft.   43.00   49.50   51.00 34½   "  37½   "  13   "  26   "    725   "   80   "   125   "  
B 76 20 ft.   48.00   54.50   56.00 35½   "  38       " 13   "  26   "  1000   "   95   "   140   "  

MODEL C.   NET PRICES, DIMENSIONS, ETC.
Model
and
Number		 Extreme
Length		 Three Styles in Finish Width in Center Depth
in Center		 Height
at Ends		 Capacity
on 4-in
Draught		 Weight
About		 Shipping
Weight
About
Price
Type 1		 Price
Type 2		 Price
Type 3		 On Rail Extreme
C 83 16 ft. $40.00 $46.50 $48.00 30½   in. 33     in. 12½ in. 26 in.   375 lbs. 60 lbs. 110 lbs.
C 84 17 ft.   40.00   46.50   48.00 31       " 33½    " 12½   "  26   "    400   "   65   "   115   "  
C 85 18 ft.   42.00   48.50   50.00 31½    " 34       " 12½   "  26   "    425   "   70   "   120   "  

MODEL D.   NET PRICES, DIMENSIONS, ETC.
Model
and
Number		 Extreme
Length		 Three Styles in Finish Width in Center Depth
in Center		 Height
at Ends		 Capacity
on 4-in
Draught		 Weight
About		 Shipping
Weight
About
Price
Type 1		 Price
Type 2		 Price
Type 3		 On Rail Extreme
D 94 17 ft. $42.00 $48.50 $50.00 35     in. 35½   in. 14½ in. 26 in.   625 lbs. 77 lbs. 115 lbs.
D 95 18 ft.   43.00   49.50   51.00 35½    " 36       " 14½   "  26   "    700   "   85   "   120   "  

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