"My Boat Floats"

By the 1668's, three major European countries had claimed and were colonizing vast areas of North America as their own. In Quebec, Canada, the French had established a successful business through the trading of fish and fur with the Seneca and Huron, Native American tribes. While these goods were usually exported to Europe where a sizable profit could be made, often the French made a profit selling or further trading the fish and fur with other colonies throughout North America.

A rivalry between Britain and France existed. These two powers battled for power around the world. Between 1689 and 1763, the two powers fought in Europe, in India, in the Caribbean, in North America, and on the open seas. Each of these powers hoped to bring into their country more of the valuable furs and fish from North America.

The French wanted to expand their business from the St. Lawrence River to the Mississippi River and along the Ohio River. An excellent harbor was available in New Orleans. The French planned to build forts along the rivers to stop rival fur traders from bringing their furs down the rivers. This way they could also use the rivers for travel and trade and avoid problems with British ships located along the eastern seaboard.

The French had observed the vessels used by the Native Americans to travel along the rivers. These canoes were and effective means of transportation, but could they carry large cargoes? The French may need to develop floating vessels that could transport large amounts of goods along the rivers. They had ships, but would they be useful on the rivers? Could they use their ships to carry imports from Europe to their outposts and to colonies situated along the rivers? Samuel de Champlain offered 10 acres of viable hunting land as a reward for solutions offered.

La Nelle Harvey - 93rd Street School, Los Angeles, CA