History of Canoes

No one can say exactly where canoeing started, but canoes have been around for thousands of years. Several years ago, archeologists discovered the remains of a dugout canoe among ancient ruins believed to be 8,000 years old [source: Antiquity].

What's In A Name?
There are two theories for the derivation of the term "canoe." Some claim that the word is of Arawakan origin. Originally spelled canoa, the word was later Anglicized as "canoe." Another theory posits that the term is derived from the word kenu or kanu which means "dugout" [source: Camp].


Although canoeing is now considered a sport, canoes were used for transportation throughout history. Clues from the history of Indian canoes can help us understand how got the canoes we use today. In North America, the very first canoes were used by the indigenous people of the Caribbean to travel between the islands [source: All About Canoes].

Throughout history -- even over the last century -- the canoe has evolved from those made of logs to modern canoes, made of aluminum and fiberglass. The Seminoles in Florida and the Choctaws in the Gulf of Mexico traveled in dugouts -- which were carved out tree trunks. West of the Rocky Mountains, Native Americans used skin boats. A close relative of the modern canoe, the birch back canoe, was used by Native Americans, explorers, missionaries and trappers. Since it could haul huge lots of cargo while handle all sorts of conditions such as quiet waters, open lakes, quickly-moving rivers and coastal waters, it was perfect to navigate North American waterways.

The Canoe in Early American Pop Culture
Because the canoe played such an important part in the settling of the North American continent, the vessel also was frequently referenced in songs, poems and paintings. In particular, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow emphasized the importance of the canoe to Native American culture in the closing of his American epic poem "The Song of Hiawatha." As the poem ends, Hiawatha accepts Christian missionaries and launches his birch bark canoe into the Western sunset to depart forever.


As soon as European explorers came to North America, they found canoes quite handy and started using them. In fact, the Europeans were amazed with the advanced engineering skills that the Native Americans used to design sophisticated canoes. Instead of hollowed out logs, these canoes were framed and constructed of multiple types of wood and held together with glue made from trees [source: Canoe.ca]. In 1603, Samuel de Champlain was the first explorer to record the dimensions of Native American canoes. He wrote that they measured up to 23 feet (7 meter), to a 50 inch (1.27 meter) beam, and carried as much as 1,000 pounds (454 kilograms) of cargo [source: Malo]. The French used the canoe to establish the fur trade and further explore what we now call Canada and the mainland United States.

Canoeing has deep roots in world history and continues to draw enthusiasts from all walks of life. Discover more about how canoeing works and get lots more information by browsing the great links on the next page.