Francis Metallic Surfboat
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox NRHP
| name = Francis Metallic Surfboat
| nrhp_type =
| image = Francis Metallic Surfboat Douglas MI.jpg
| caption =
| location= 130 W. Center St., Douglas, Michigan
| coordinates = {{coord|42|38|39|N|86|12|12|W|display=inline,title}}
| locmapin = Michigan#USA
| built =
| architect OR builder =
| architecture =
| added = April 21, 2015
| area =
| governing_body =
}}
The Francis Metallic Surfboat is a boat, currently housed at 130 West Center Street in Douglas, Michigan. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2015. It is one of two known surviving examples of its kind, one of the first type of coastal rescue craft used.
History
The Francis Metallic Surfboat was designed by Joseph Francis, an inventor who specialized in inventing and constructing maritime lifesaving equipment. Francis constructed 137 of these vessels from about 1849 to 1857, of which 48 were used on the Great Lakes.{{citation | title = Francis Metallic Surfboat | publisher = Michigan Markers | url = http://www.michmarkers.com/detail.asp?txtID=S0742| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170323234858/http://www.michmarkers.com/detail.asp?txtID=S0742| url-status = usurped| archive-date = March 23, 2017}} This particular boat dates from approximately 1854, and was in use from 1854 until at least 1863. It was originally stationed near the mouth of the Kalamazoo River.{{citation | title = Francis Metallic Surfboat, one of two of its kind, added to National Register of Historic Places | author = Misty Miller | publisher = State of Michigan | date = June 12, 2015 | url = http://www.michigan.gov/som/0,4669,7-192-47796-357187--,00.html}}
The vessel gradually deteriorated until the 1930s, after which its remains were put into storage. In about 2006, volunteers from the Saugatuck-Douglas Historical Society (SDHS) restored the boat. In 2011, the Society constructed a dedicated building in Douglas to display the vessel.{{citation | title = HISTORICAL SOCIETY'S RESTORED FRANCIS LIFE BOAT TO GET STATE HISTORICAL MARKER SATURDAY, OCT. 15 | author1 = Nathan Nietering | author2 = John Peters | date = October 7, 2016 | url = http://sdhistoricalsociety.org/Newsletter/releases/Release%20-%202016%20Lifeboat%20Historical%20Marker.pdf}} The boat remains on display in the building in Douglas.
Description
The Francis Metallic Surfboat is a 26-foot vessel with a six-foot beam. The hull is made of iron. The boat was built using an innovative metal fabricating technique invented by Joseph Francis. The boat is an example of a distinctly American type of rescue craft known as the "pulling" surfboat, which is designed to be pulled through the water by oars, rather than propelled by a sail or motor.
References
{{reflist}}
Further reading
- {{citation | title = Patent metallic life boats: manufactured at the Novelty iron works, New York | author = Francis' Metallic Life-Boat Company | publisher = J.P. Prall | year = 1850 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=kdELAAAAYAAJ}}
- {{citation | title = Francis' metallic life-boat company | author = Francis' Metallic Life-boat Company | publisher = W.C. Bryant & Co. | year = 1852 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=k2wDAAAAYAAJ}}
- {{citation | title = US patent 3974 | author = Joseph Francis | date = March 26, 1845| url = https://patents.google.com/patent/US3974}}
External links
- [https://sdhistoricalsociety.org/sites/schoolhouse/boathouse.php Old School House Museum]
- [https://www.wilkensdesignstudio.com/gallinipper-historic-lifeboat-museum/ Gallinipper Historic Lifeboat Museum]
{{National Register of Historic Places}}
Category:Ships on the National Register of Historic Places in Michigan
Category:National Register of Historic Places in Allegan County, Michigan
Category:Museum ships in Michigan
{{Michigan-NRHP-stub}}