Voyage of the Paper Canoe Informative Summary

Overview:

The “Voyage of the Paper Canoe” by Nathaniel H. Bishop chronicles his geographical journey from Quebec, Canada, to the Gulf of Mexico in 1874-1875. Initially, Bishop traveled in a traditional wooden canoe, but later adopted a paper canoe, “Maria Theresa,” for its lighter weight and durability. This daring decision allowed him to navigate over 2,000 miles of inland waterways, overcoming numerous obstacles and experiencing the diverse landscapes of North America. Bishop’s journey was not without its challenges, including a harrowing capsize in Delaware Bay, where he had to swim for his life.

Throughout his voyage, Bishop details the historical context of the regions he traversed, highlighting encounters with both native peoples and descendants of early colonists. He offers vivid descriptions of the natural world, including encounters with wild animals like alligators, panthers, and a variety of birds. His observations on the evolving social and economic landscape post-Civil War, especially the changing dynamics between whites and blacks, provide a unique insight into the era.

Key Findings:

The resilience and strength of paper canoes were proven during Bishop’s journey.
Southern hospitality towards northern travelers remained prevalent despite the Civil War.
The post-Civil War landscape reflected changing social dynamics, especially between freedmen and former slave owners.
The natural world of the eastern U.S. was rich and diverse, presenting unique challenges for a lone canoeist.
The importance of interior waterways for transportation and commerce in the United States was highlighted.

Learning:

Paper Canoe Technology: The text demonstrates the strength and adaptability of paper canoes for long-distance travel, highlighting the innovation of the Waters family in Troy, New York.
- The paper canoe, “Maria Theresa,” proved remarkably durable despite its light weight, withstanding rough waters and various challenges.
- Bishop’s use of the paper canoe highlights the importance of continuous research and development in materials science.
Southern Hospitality: Despite the recent Civil War, Bishop found that southern hospitality was still prevalent.
- Southern people offered him assistance and shelter throughout his journey, regardless of his northern origin.
- This demonstrates the resilience of human connection and the ability of different groups to overcome historical divides.
The Changing South: The text offers insights into the social and economic changes in the American South post-Civil War.
- The relationship between freedmen and former slave owners was complex, ranging from cooperative to conflict-ridden.
- Bishop’s experiences highlight the challenges of social and economic transition in a society transitioning from slavery to a free labor system.

Historical Context:

The text was written in 1878, following the Civil War and Reconstruction. While the country was undergoing a period of healing, social and economic tension remained, particularly in the South. This tension is reflected in Bishop’s observations on the lives of freedmen, the relationships between whites and blacks, and the impact of the war on the southern economy.

Facts:

The Great Auk (Alca impennis), a flightless seabird, was once abundant in the North Atlantic, but is now extinct, likely due to over-hunting.
Anticosti Island in the Gulf of St. Lawrence is known for its rocky shores, strong currents, and numerous shipwrecks.
The Saguenay River, a tributary of the St. Lawrence, is known for its dramatic scenery, including the towering Capes Eternity and Trinity.
The white whale found in the Gulf of St. Lawrence is actually a porpoise, distinguished by its teeth rather than whalebone.
Lake Champlain is not actually 150 miles long, as some sources claim, but rather between 100 and 112 miles.
The Adirondack region of New York State is a vast wilderness of lakes, mountains, and forests.
Mount Marcy, Mount MacIntyre, and Mount Haystack are the three highest peaks in New York State, all exceeding 5,000 feet in elevation.
Lake George, also known as “Horicon” or “Lake St. Sacrament,” was discovered by the missionary Father Isaac Jogues.
The first successful steamboat voyage was made by Robert Fulton’s Clermont, which traveled from New York to Albany in 1807.
The Delaware Bay is 26 miles across at its widest point, located some miles inland from the Capes.
Philadelphia is the head of navigation for large vessels on the Delaware River, while Trenton is the furthest point for light-draught steamboats.
Delaware is the only state in the United States that still uses the whipping post and pillory as forms of punishment.
The eastern shore of Maryland and Virginia is known for its extensive marshes, sandy beaches, and inlets.
The famous oyster beds of Chincoteague Island extend 20 miles south of the Hommack.
Chincoteague Island is known for its annual pony fair, where semi-wild ponies are sold.
The Dismal Swamp Canal connects the Elizabeth River with the Pasquotank River, which flows into Albemarle Sound.
Currituck Sound, on the coast of North Carolina, is known for its shallow waters, abundant wildlife, and a variety of inlets.
The Scuppernong grape, native to North Carolina, produces a sweet, white wine.
Cape Hatteras, the easternmost point of North Carolina, is known for its dangerous Diamond Shoals and frequent shipwrecks.
The Gulf Stream, a warm current flowing from the Gulf of Mexico, frequently influences the weather near Cape Hatteras.
Ocracoke Island, off the coast of North Carolina, is known for its historic association with Sir Walter Raleigh’s Roanoke colony.
Body Island Lighthouse, off the coast of North Carolina, is used to warn ships away from the dangerous shoals near Oregon Inlet.
The city of Newbern, North Carolina, is located on the Neuse River, 100 miles from Cape Hatteras.
The pine forests of North Carolina produce large quantities of turpentine and resin.
The Waccamaw River, known for its numerous bends and submerged swamps, flows into the Atlantic Ocean near Myrtle Sound.
Alligator Creek, a tributary of the Waccamaw River, is a habitat for alligators.
Alligator Lake, in Stump Sound, is also a habitat for alligators, despite its name.
The Sea Islands of Georgia are known for producing long-staple Sea Island cotton.
Bull’s Island, off the coast of South Carolina, is a habitat for both deer and wild hogs.
The phosphate mines of South Carolina, located in the lowlands, are a source of fertilizer for agriculture.
The Santee Rivers, North and South, are known for their rice plantations, a major industry in South Carolina before the Civil War.
Fort Sumter, in Charleston Harbor, is a historic fortification that was the site of the first shots fired in the Civil War.
Jehossee Island, in South Carolina, was a model rice plantation before the Civil War, owned by Governor William Aiken.
Governor William Aiken was a prominent figure in South Carolina, serving as governor during a turbulent period in the state’s history.
The Suwanee River, often called “the river of song,” is known for its wild beauty, rapid currents, and extensive forests.
The Seminole Indian Wars took place in Florida, and the Suwanee River region was a haven for Seminole warriors.
Old Town Hammock, on the Suwanee River, was once a Seminole Indian town and later a plantation owned by Colonel J. L. F. Cottrell.
The panther (Felis concolor) is a rare sight in Florida, and is known to attack humans on occasion.
The water-moccasin (Trigonocephalus piscivorus) is a venomous snake found in the southern United States, and is considered more dangerous than the rattlesnake.
Cedar Keys, a town on the Gulf Coast of Florida, is the terminus of the Atlantic, Gulf, and West Indies Transit Company railroad.

Statistics:

The Great Auk could be captured by the boatload in the 1700s.
The Great Auk now sells for $1,500 in gold as a stuffed skin.
Anticosti Island is 123 miles long and 10-30 miles wide.
The North Channel of Anticosti Island is 15 miles wide.
The St. Lawrence River system, including the Great Lakes, is about 2,000 miles long.
The area drained by the St. Lawrence River system is nearly 6 million square miles.
The Richelieu River is about 80 miles long.
The Champlain Canal is 64 miles long, connecting Lake Champlain with the Hudson River.
The Adirondack region of New York State covers nearly 5,000 square miles.
Mount Marcy in the Adirondacks is 5,402.65 feet high.
The Adirondack Survey designed a canvas boat weighing only 10 pounds.
Lake George is about 34 miles long and 1-4 miles wide.
The Champlain Canal is 64 miles long and connects Lake Champlain with the Hudson River.
The Erie Canal is 6 miles long and connects Albany with the Hudson River.
The Delaware and Hudson Canal is 54 miles long and connects Rondout on the Hudson with Port Jervis on the Delaware River.
The Delaware River is about 300 miles long.
The Chesapeake and Delaware Canal is 14 miles long and connects the Delaware River with Chesapeake Bay.
The Delaware Bay is 26 miles across at its widest point.
The Delaware peninsula has over 60,000 acres of peach trees.
The Delaware peninsula has a workforce of 25,000 people to harvest the peach crop.
It costs $30-40 to plant and cultivate one acre of peach trees.
The Dismal Swamp Canal is 22 miles long.
Drummond’s Lake in the Dismal Swamp is 7 miles long by 5 miles wide.
The Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal is 8.5 miles long.
The “new canal” connects the Elizabeth and North Landing Rivers.
Currituck Sound is about 35 miles long and 4 miles wide.
The North Carolina legislature passed a law to protect grouse introduced into the state.
Ocracoke Inlet is 14 miles south of Hatteras Inlet.
The Chesapeake Bay is 40 miles across.
The Gulf Stream flows north from the Gulf of Mexico and frequently approaches Cape Hatteras.
The new Hatteras Light tower is 190 feet tall.
The “Julia” yacht is owned by Judge I.E. West.
The distance between Cape Henlopen and Cape Charles is 136 miles.
The distance between Cape Charles and Cape Henry is 13 miles.
There are over 100,000 acres of land in the Waccamaw Swamp.
The Waccamaw River is 20 miles long, but very crooked.
The Waccamaw River is about 90 miles long by land.
The Waccamaw River is about 165 miles long by water.
The Peedee River is 1.5 miles wide and has a strong current.
The Winyah Bay is 2 miles wide at its mouth.
The Santee Rivers empty into the Atlantic Ocean but their entrances are shallow.
The “Eye of the Needle” is a narrow channel in the South Santee River.
The “Caswell” is a Coast Survey schooner.
Bull’s Bay, in South Carolina, is 20 miles wide.
The Ashley River is 30 miles long.
The Wadmelaw River is 10 miles long.
The North Edisto River is 10 miles long.
The Jehossee Island rice plantation is 5,000 acres in size.
Governor Aiken owned 1,000 slaves before the Civil War.
Jehossee Island produced $70,000 worth of rice a year before the war.
Governor Aiken owned 873 slaves before the Civil War.
Governor Aiken’s family plate was worth $15,000.
Governor Aiken lost $45,000 worth of silverware to the Union Army during the Civil War.
Governor Aiken lost 3,800 bottles of wine worth $8-9 a bottle to the Confederate Army during the Civil War.
Governor Aiken lost all of the furniture from his Jehossee Island home to the Freedman’s Bureau.
A faithful freedman lost $500 in savings when the Freedman’s Bank failed.
The A.G. & W. I. T. C. Railroad connects Fernandina on the Atlantic Coast with Cedar Keys on the Gulf Coast.
The Atlantic, Gulf, and West Indies Transit Company offers a 40-acre homestead for $50.
The St. Mary’s River is 175 miles long by water.
There are over 4,000 acres of land in the Rixford turpentine and resin works.
The Suwanee River is 235 miles long.
The Suwanee River has rapids between Columbus and Ellaville.
The Santa Fe River is a tributary of the Suwanee River.
The Suwanee River has a rapid current, especially during the wet season.
A large alligator can weigh up to 1,000 pounds.
A water moccasin can be up to 2 feet long and 5-6 inches in circumference.
Clay Landing, on the Suwanee River, was a place of deposit for blockade goods during the Civil War.
The Santa Fe River is 23 miles long.
Old Town Hammock is 2,000 acres in size.
The St. Mary’s River is 175 miles long.
The Altamaha River is 150 miles long.
The Darien River is 125 miles long.
St. Simon’s Island is 8 miles long.
Jekyl Island is 10 miles long and 5 miles wide.
The “Wanderer” slave yacht landed 1,000 African slaves on Jekyl Island.
The Altamaha River is 150 miles long.
The Savannah River is about 300 miles long.
The Skiddaway River is 50 miles long.
The Great Ogeechee River is 100 miles long.
The Ossabaw River is 100 miles long.
St. Catherine’s Island is 10 miles long.
Sapelo Island is 10 miles long.
The South Santee River is 80 miles long.
The Combahee River is 100 miles long.
The Bull River is 60 miles long.
The Coosaw River is 70 miles long.
The Stono River is 30 miles long.
The Cooper River is 100 miles long.
The St. Mary’s River is 120 miles long.
The Suwanee River is 235 miles long.

Terms:

Alca impennis: The scientific name for the Great Auk.
Delphinopterus Catodon: The scientific name for the white whale.
Bonasa umbellas: The scientific name for the Ruffled Grouse.
Cupidonia cupido: The scientific name for the Pinnated Grouse.
Mimus polyglottus: The scientific name for the Mockingbird.
Anser hyperboreus: The scientific name for the Snow Goose.
Otolithus regalio: The scientific name for the Weakfish or Sea Trout.
Anas boschas: The scientific name for the Mallard.
Meleagris gallopavo: The scientific name for the Wild Turkey.
Felis concolor: The scientific name for the Panther or Cougar.

Examples:

Extinct Auk: The Great Auk was once abundant in the North Atlantic, but is now extinct due to over-hunting. It was a large, flightless bird that was easy prey for sailors and pothunters.
Anticosti Island: The island of Anticosti in the Gulf of St. Lawrence is known for its rocky shores, strong currents, and numerous shipwrecks.
Adirondack Wilderness: The Adirondack region of New York State is a vast wilderness of lakes, mountains, and forests, with a variety of wildlife.
Lake George: Lake George, also known as “Horicon” or “Lake St. Sacrament,” is a beautiful lake in the Adirondacks, famous for its clear waters and scenic beauty.
Dismal Swamp Canal: The Dismal Swamp Canal connects the Elizabeth River with the Pasquotank River, which flows into Albemarle Sound. This canal is a historical waterway, originally dug with shovels and wheelbarrows.
Cape Hatteras: Cape Hatteras, the easternmost point of North Carolina, is known for its dangerous Diamond Shoals, which have been the site of numerous shipwrecks.
Roanoke Colony: Sir Walter Raleigh’s Roanoke Colony was a failed attempt to establish a permanent English settlement in North America. The colonists disappeared without a trace, leaving behind only mysterious clues.
The “Wanderer” Slave Yacht: The “Wanderer” slave yacht landed 1,000 African slaves on Jekyl Island in Georgia in the 1850s. This event highlights the horrific practice of slave trading that continued in the United States before the Civil War.
The Suwanee River: The Suwanee River, often called “the river of song,” is known for its wild beauty, rapid currents, and extensive forests. This river was immortalized in the song “Way Down Upon the Suwanee River.”
The Seminole Indian Wars: The Seminole Indian Wars were a series of conflicts between the United States government and the Seminole Indians in Florida. These wars were often brutal and lasted for decades.
The Water-Moccasin: The water moccasin (Trigonocephalus piscivorus) is a venomous snake found in the southern United States, and is considered more dangerous than the rattlesnake. This snake is a major threat to humans in the swamps of Florida and other southern states.
Clay Landing: Clay Landing, on the Suwanee River, was a place of deposit for blockade goods during the Civil War. This landing was used to supply the Confederate Army with goods from ships that evaded the Union blockade.
Okefenokee Swamp: The Okefenokee Swamp is a vast, uninhabited area in southern Georgia, known for its rich biodiversity and unique ecosystems.

Conclusion:

“Voyage of the Paper Canoe” is a captivating testament to human endurance and the power of nature. Bishop’s journey through the Eastern U.S. waterways highlights the diverse landscapes, historical context, and societal changes of the late 19th century. The text offers a unique perspective on the challenges of navigating these waterways, the complexities of the post-Civil War South, and the remarkable strength and adaptability of the paper canoe. It is a reminder of the power of exploration, the resilience of the human spirit, and the importance of appreciating the natural world.

Learn more