• The 1999 James River Batteau Festival in Photos
• The 2000 James River Batteau Festival in Log Entries and Photos
• The 2001 James River Batteau Festival in Log Entries and Photos

In the Summer of 1998, the members of Venturing Crew 1776 chose to embark on the adventure of constructing and operating a batteau in the 1999 James River Batteau Festival.

The name chosen is The Blackwater. Named for Blackwater Creek, which enters the James River at Lynchburg, the waterway was identified on the 1752 Jefferson-Frye map of Virginia. Dr. George Cabell, who built Point of Honor, in 1815, also owned a tobacco warehouse along the creek named the Blackwater Tobacco Warehouse, which was established in 1805.

Batteau Articles and Research Papers:

• A history of batteau travel in Virginia, by Dian McNaught
• "Rucker's Battoe" by Thomas D. Mackie
• Construction & Operation of the James River Batteau, by Joseph W. Ayers
• The James River Bateau: Tobacco Transport in Virginia, by Bruce G. Terrell


Articles on Period Clothing

• What They Wore, by John Clarkson
• The Height of Fashion, 1775-1850, by Jonna Clarkson


We are indebted to Sue Pechmann and Charlie Hatcher of the Frank Padgett for providing us with ribs and wood to get started. Due to construction schedule challenges, Crew 1776 was not able to construct a new batteau for the 1999 Batteau Festival. Instead, they borrowed a boat (formerly known as Boat VI or The Cartersville of Cumberland) from the Goochland County batteau group. Thanks to Dave Griener, Monk Wachter, and the rest of those guys for loaning us this boat. Special thanks also go to Ralph Smith of the Anthony Rucker for the use of his batteau trailer.

The NEW Batteau Blackwater

In January of 2000, Venturing Crew 1776 acquired The Beaver from Jason Severson of Altavista, Virginia. Jason constructed The Beaver before Christmas of 1999. This craft became the last James River Batteau to be operated in the 20th Century, and the first of the 21st Century due to two trips made on the Staunton River on the day after Christmas and New Year's Day.

Ribs are laid out on a frame.

King Plank and other key members are attached to the hull.

Remaining planking is applied to hull.

After nosecones are attached, the hull is covered with tar.

Completed boat showing interior and exterior walkboards.
The 10" Hemlock gunwales provide excellent exterior walkboards. 

 
The new Blackwater is 40 feet long, with a beam (width) of 7 feet.