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1
Our people, the Nipmuc, used the dugout, or
mishoon, primarily over lakes and large ponds.
2
A large tree, tall and straight, was felled by
burning it around the base until it toppled.
White pine or chestnut were commonly chosen.
After placing the log on supports, they would
remove the bark and branches. Then, alternating
between burning and scraping, the inside of the
log was dug out to form the mishoon. Making a
dugout was laborious and took days.
3
Written reports of such craft go back to Roger
Williams in 1643 Mishoon an Indian boat or
Canow made of a Pine or Oake, or Chestnut-tree
I have scene a Native goe into the woods with
his hatchet, carrying onely a Basket of Corne
with him, and stones to strike fire when he
hadJeld his tree (being a chestnut) he made him a
little House or shed of the bark of it, he puts
fire and followes the burning of it with fire, in
the midst of many places. his corn he boyles and
hath the Brooke by him, and sometimes Angles for
a little fish but so tree continues burning and
hewing untill he bath within ten or twelve dayes
(lying there at his worke alone) finished and
(getting hands) ranched his Boater with which
afterward tree ventures out to flsh in the
Ocean.... Some of (the canoes) will not well
carry above three or foure but some of them
twenty, thirty, forty men.... Their owne reason
hath taught them, to pull of a Coat or two and
set it up on a small pole, with which they will
saile before a wind ten, or twenty mile.... It is
wonderfull to see how they will Denture in those
Canoes, and how (being oft overset as I have my
selfe been with them) they will swim a mile, yea
two or more safe to Land I having been
necessitated to passe waters diverse times with
them, it hath pleased God to make them many times
the instruments of my preservation. and when
sometimes In great danger I have questioned
safety, they have said to me Feare not, if we be
overset I will carry you safe to Land.
4
Because of its immense weight, the mishoon was
not easily moved from place to place,
unlike its lightweight counterpart, the birch
bark canoe.
5
Thus, for winter storage or concealment, the
owner would intentionally submerge the mishoon by
loading it with large rocks until it laid below
the surface of the water. This would preserve it
during the winter.