1

Boat launch of 2000 for the motorboat built by Ralph Coates.
2001
Winterton, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
TEXT ATTACHMENT


2

A boat would be completely finished inside and out before launching. The launching consisted of gathering together as many helpers as possible to haul the boat from its construction site to the slipway.

A public launch is usually held for the boats built at the Winterton Boat Building and Community Museum. This launch, of the motorboat built by Ralph Coates, took place in the summer of 2000.

3

Moving the sticks
2001
Winterton, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
TEXT ATTACHMENT


4

Hauling the boat to the slipway was made easier by the use of round sticks of wood over which the boat keel could move freely as the round sticks would roll forward. Someone was at hand to move the sticks from the back of the boat to the front as the boat moved forward.

5

Pulling the boat
2001
Winterton, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
AUDIO ATTACHMENT


6

Someone usually volunteered to sing the Johnny Poker, a shanty that helped everyone pull in unison.

Sound clip:
Oh it's to me Johnny Poker
Another jit will do 'er
And it's to me Johnny Poker
Haul boys haul

Oh it's to me Johnny Poker
Well rock and roll 'er over
And it's to me Johnny Poker
Haul boys haul

Oh it's to me Johnny Poker
Well haul dis heavy joker
And it's to me Johny Poker
Haul boys haul

7

The boat on the slipway
2001
Winterton, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
TEXT ATTACHMENT


8

At the slipway the boat was launched into the water stern first.

9

Sculling the boat
2001
Winterton, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
TEXT ATTACHMENT


10

There was no further ceremony other than complimentary remarks to the builder as the boat floated freely off the slipway and was sculled to a nearby stagehead or wharf.

11

The 2003 boat launch
2003
Winterton, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
TEXT ATTACHMENT


Credits:
photo by David A Taylor

12

Another boat launched from the Winterton Boat Building and Community Museum was that built by Fred Green. This boat was launched in the summer of 2003 as part of the annual Scilly Cove Festival.

13

Pulling the boat over the laid out sticks
2003
Winterton, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
TEXT ATTACHMENT


14

The Johnny Poker was again sung as the group hauled the boat over the sticks toward the slipway.