Featured Artifact
2009 BOAT OF THE YEAR
"SUWANEE"
1996.006
Built in 1909 by L.E. Fry and Company near the current Antique Boat Museum campus, "Suwanee" is truly “Made in Clayton.” The boat was originally ordered by William Owen of Thousand Island Park and built to his specifications that Suwanee would be built just within the 32’ American Power Boat Association regulations. With a length of 31’-6” and a beam of 4’, the boat was designed to be a combination racing launch and pleasure boat.
"Suwanee" is made of red elm, Canadian cedar, and the decks are of a thin mahogany. The contracted boat would cost $675 and Mr. Owen would provide the power, a four cylinder two-cycle Watertown engine.
Long, narrow launches were a typical scene on the St. Lawrence River just prior to World War One. What made Suwanee unique was the boats extreme length to beam ratio, which allowed the craft to travel at high speeds for her era. The boat is also equipped with “steamboat” steering, where the wheel must be turned in the opposite direction from which you want the boat to turn.
Robert Cox purchased the powerboat in 1955. "Suwanee" has earned many accolades over the years. The boat has been featured in many magazines, including the May 7, 1973 issue of Sports Illustrated, and has won many awards including the 1976 Antique Boat of the Year at The Shipyard Museum’s, now The Antique Boat Museum’s, annual Boat Show. "Suwanee" is also listed as number two in The Antique Boat Museum’s Registry of Antique Boats.
"Suwanee" was donated to The Antique Boat Museum by Robert Cox in 1996 and has been named the 2009 Antique Boat Museum Boat of the Year.
1996.006
Built in 1909 by L.E. Fry and Company near the current Antique Boat Museum campus, "Suwanee" is truly “Made in Clayton.” The boat was originally ordered by William Owen of Thousand Island Park and built to his specifications that Suwanee would be built just within the 32’ American Power Boat Association regulations. With a length of 31’-6” and a beam of 4’, the boat was designed to be a combination racing launch and pleasure boat.
"Suwanee" is made of red elm, Canadian cedar, and the decks are of a thin mahogany. The contracted boat would cost $675 and Mr. Owen would provide the power, a four cylinder two-cycle Watertown engine.
Long, narrow launches were a typical scene on the St. Lawrence River just prior to World War One. What made Suwanee unique was the boats extreme length to beam ratio, which allowed the craft to travel at high speeds for her era. The boat is also equipped with “steamboat” steering, where the wheel must be turned in the opposite direction from which you want the boat to turn.
Robert Cox purchased the powerboat in 1955. "Suwanee" has earned many accolades over the years. The boat has been featured in many magazines, including the May 7, 1973 issue of Sports Illustrated, and has won many awards including the 1976 Antique Boat of the Year at The Shipyard Museum’s, now The Antique Boat Museum’s, annual Boat Show. "Suwanee" is also listed as number two in The Antique Boat Museum’s Registry of Antique Boats.
"Suwanee" was donated to The Antique Boat Museum by Robert Cox in 1996 and has been named the 2009 Antique Boat Museum Boat of the Year.
