great skill into a beautiful shape. The birch canoe was an admirable
structure, combining elements and principles which modern naval
architecture may well study to imitate. In lightness, rapidity,
freedom and ease of motion, it has not been, and cannot be, surpassed.
Its draft, even when bearing a considerable burden, was so slight,
that it would glide over the shallowest bars. It was strong, durable,
and easily kept in repair. Although dangerous to the highest degree
under an inexperienced and unskilful hand, no vessel has ever been
safer when managed by persons trained to its use. The cool and
quick-sighted Indian could guide it, with his exquisitely moulded
paddle, in perfect security, through whirling rapids and over heavy
seas, around headlands and across bays. The settlers early supplied
themselves with canoes, by which to thread the interior streams, and
cross from shore to shore in the harbors. One great advantage of the
light canoe, before roads were opened through the woods, was, that it
could be unloaded, and borne on the shoulders across the land, at any
point, to another stream or lake, thus cutting off long curves, and
getting from river to river. The lading would be transported in
convenient parcels, the canoe launched, loaded, and again be floated
on its way. Canoes soon came into universal use, particularly in this
neighborhood. Wood, in his "New-England's Prospect," speaking of
Salem, says, "There be more canowes in this town than in all the whole
Patent, every household having a water horse or two." It was so
important for the public safety to have them kept in good condition,
that the town took the matter in hand. The quarterly court records
have the following entry under the date of June 27, 1636:--

"It was ordered and agreed, that all the canoes of the north
side of the town shall be brought the next second day, being
the 4th day of the 5th month, about 9 o'clock,