1

Backbone assembly
2003
Winterton Boat Building and Community Museum, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
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2

Once decisions were made on the type of boat and design to be used, and all materials were gathered, construction began with preparation of the backbone, which consisted of the keel, stem, sternpost and deadwoods (pieces used to join the stem and stern pieces to the keel).

3

Stem
2003
Winterton Boat Building and Community Museum, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
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4

The stem was first chopped, using an axe, to get the rough shape and dimensions. The keel and stern post would also be shaped in this manner.

5

Axe
2003
Winterton Boat Building and Community Museum, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
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6

The axe was one of the most important tools in the traditional boat building process.

7

Planing the stem
2003
Winterton Boat Building and Community Museum, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
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8

After the rough dimensions of the keel, stem, and sternpost were achieved using an axe and saw, a plane was used to smooth and finely adjust their shapes.

9

Jackplane
2003
Winterton Boat Building and Community Museum, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
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10

The jackplane was essential for smoothing and shaping timber pieces.

11

Smoothing timbers
2003
Winterton Boat Building and Community Museum, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
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12

A spoke shave was used to shape and smooth curved pieces of timber.

13

Spoke shave
2003
Winterton Boat Building and Community Museum, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
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14

The spoke shave was an essential tool because it could smooth curved surfaces where the jack plane could not be used.