Durham Boats Photo

Photographer’s Note

In the 1700’s and early 1800’s, Durham boats similar to these reproductions were used to haul goods between the upper reaches of the Delaware River and the city of Philadelphia. These boats reached lengths of 60 feet (18 m) and some of them could carry loads weighing as much as 20 tons (18,000 kg) going downstream. The load upstream would, of course, be considerably lighter.

These boats floated downstream with the river’s current with the aid of oars. Moving the boats upstream took considerably more effort: they were propelled by setting poles into the water. On the sides of each boat were walking boards on which the boatmen stood to guide the boats upstream. Two members of the crew would stand at the front end of the boats on opposite sides and place their poles into the river bottom at the same time. They would then walk on those boards to the rear of the boat pushing it forward. While they rapidly returned to the front of the boat to repeat the process, a third crewman used a pole to keep the boat from floating back downstream.

When the wind was favorable, sails enabled the boats to move upstream. At one time there were several hundred of these boats operating on the Delaware River. Often they moved together in fleets of as many as 25 boats and would make a beautiful sight moving upriver when their sails were up.

papagolf21, supereira, Albrecht, nwoehnl, PLD_images, erdna, digi-mom, jrj, Georges, MoosicMan, ChrisJ, roball has marked this note useful

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devimeuxbe (55865) 2005-03-21 6:06

Hi , i like your very original composition. Well seen.
Bertrand

papagolf21 (56233) 2005-03-21 6:29

Bonjour Linda,
Très intéressante note relative à ces bateaux (les anciens ne reculaient devant rien et faisaient montre d'un courage exemplaire).
Quant à la composition, c'est une véritable réussite.
J'aime beaucoup.
Amitiés.
Philippe

supereira (9576) 2005-03-21 6:41

I like the composition and point of view.Good textures,light and sharpness.Great reflections in the water.Good colors and contrasts.Well done!

Albrecht (11002) 2005-03-21 9:35

Very nice composition. The emptyness is great. well done. Good colors and DOF. Greetings

nwoehnl (118) 2005-03-21 15:19

Hi Linda. I really enjoy the simplicity and elegance of this one, with the mid-March light nicely accentuating the details of the boats. Good inclusion of the reflections, and lovely colors. What is the shadow entering the frame from the bottom right, a tree?

Hanssie (9133) 2005-03-21 15:28

Serenity........
A superb composition, Linda, and a wonderful light in your picture

PLD_images (7141) 2005-03-21 20:27

Bonjour Linda,

Nice simple photo. To me, this is a well balanced shot with good lighting effects on the boats. I also like that you have decided not to show the whole boats and more water. It's more original and makes stronger composition.

erdna (5348) 2005-03-25 0:54

Unusual composition but nice. The light coming from behind you gives a beautiful effect on the boats and water. The big area of the water compared to the size of the photograph weakens the focus area which are the boats and the light on the water.

jrj (34779) 2005-03-28 13:46

Nice graphical compo Linda. The nose of the 3 boats very much off centered placed in the blue setting of the water is simple, but just by this well made - nice job..

Suh (10) 2005-04-02 13:26 [Comment]

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Georges (11183) 2005-04-03 4:21

Une image simple mais tres agreable a regarder car le petit melange des couleurs sur les degradés de bleu attire beaucoup.
Bien vu d'avoir inclus ce petit bout de barque Linda.

MoosicMan (1231) 2005-04-12 10:33

Hi Linda, nice shot here, and a very good note, too. Like the sharpness, and the contrast. Good light you caught.
Best to you,
Matt

ChrisJ (70099) 2005-04-26 4:56

Hi Linda

Excellent lighting, sharpness, & color. I like the almost luminous glow from the water surface. Good use of the principle of 3 & repetiton, with the boats. Superb reflections. Well done!

Lisas_world (1180) 2005-05-16 15:29

Hi, Linda, This is such a simple, elegant composition. I am drawn to the subtle blue/violet colorations of the water and the glimpse of sunlight playing on the bottom of the river in the foreground. Very well done.

Regards, Lisa

pinakie_slg (835) 2006-11-16 2:12

a very wonder full composition and especially the colour of the water is mind blowing.

i also have a post on boat, check it.