Special: Effort to Save Canyon's River Running Legacy
Date: July 2001; 11 Photos; © NPS Photo

July 22, 2003 (NPS): On Wednesday, July 23, the Grand Canyon National Park Foundation, in collaboration with the National Park Service, embarks on an effort to save the Grand Canyon's river running legacy by conserving fifteen historic boats currently suffering from decades of benign neglect. The "Save Our Boats - the Grand Canyon Historic Boat Project" is an estimated three-year $300,000 effort to:

• remove these boats from inadequate outdoor storage conditions,
• provide a thorough cleaning of the craft,
• conduct conservation treatments to stabilize and protect the boats in their used condition; and
• capture the history and stories associated with their use on the Colorado River.

"This project is very exciting to us," commented Joe Alston, Superintendent of Grand Canyon National Park and a river boatman. "These boats tell the story of river running on the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. The opportunity to make right the damage caused by decades of neglect, and protect these boats and their history, is incredible. We appreciate greatly the Foundation for initiating this effort."

"We are delighted to be in partnership with the park on this project," stated Deborah Tuck, President of Grand Canyon National Park Foundation. "With the help of a coalition of dedicated boatman and boat company owners, we have quickly positioned ourselves to jumpstart this project, contributing energy and expertise to conserve this piece of Grand Canyon's legacy."

The first phase of this project begins on July 23 with the moving of three boats from the outdoor display area at the park's former Visitor Center where one has rested since the 1950's to a newly established indoor Conservation Workshop. There they will be cleaned and evaluated as to the extent of damage and appropriate conservation treatments to be completed in the coming year.

The three boats being moved are:

• An unnamed boat, known as the Stone Boat for its use on a trip sponsored by Julius Stone, the oldest remaining boat to have run the Colorado River through Grand Canyon. The 1909 trip of 1300 miles ran from Green River, Wyoming to Needles, California.
• The Edith, a white cedar and oak-hulled boat named for Emery Kolb's daughter, which was used by Emory and Ellsworth Kolb for their 1911-12 photographic expedition, and
• The Glen, a wooden Galloway boat, used on the 1921-1923 United States Geological Survey expedition, lead by Emery Kolb to survey for dam sites along the Colorado River.

In October, the next group of boats will be similarly moved indoors, cleaned and conserved.

The Grand Canyon National Park Foundation is a private not-for-profit fundraising partner to the National Park Service at Grand Canyon. Established in 1995, the Foundation's mission is to help protect, preserve, and enhance Grand Canyon, through funding specific projects and programs that are beyond the financial capacity of the National Park Service and promoting citizen stewardship of the Grand Canyon.

If you wish to become involved with the "Save Our Boats - the Grand Canyon Historic Boat Project" please contact the Grand Canyon National Park Foundation at (928) 774-1760 or at http://www.grandcanyonfoundation.org/.

The Kolb brothers boat, Edith, being secured in the trailer for transport to the boat conservation lab.

The Edith being unloaded at the boat conservation lab by GCNPF and NPS staff.

The Stone boat being moved into the park's boat conservation lab.

The Glen leaving the park's HQ building for a trip to the conservation lab.

Members of the GCNPF staff and advisory committee in the HQ patio after sucessfully moving the boats: l to r: Dave Edwards, Gaylord Staveley, Ellen Tibbetts, Fran Joseph, Cameron Staveley, Deborah Tuck, Brad Dimock, Richard Quartarolidave Edwards, Gaylord Staveley, Ellen Tibbetts, Fran Joseph, Cameron Staveley, Deborah Tuck, Brad Dimock, Richard Quartaroli.

Ashley Falls, Red Canyon UT, Emery Kolb in boat, "Edith" running the chute in Ashley Falls. 18 Sept 1911. Kolb Bros.

Photo of boat "Edith". July 2003. NPS Photo, Quinn.

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. Upstream from the right bank 12.5 miles below the Little Colorado River. August 15, 1923. Colorado River Survey of 1923 (Birdseye). USGS LaRue

Photo of boat "Glen". July 2003. NPS Photo, Quinn.

Running a rapid in a Stone Expedition boat. Probably Whirpool Canyon on the Green River. Circa 1909. Cogswell.

Photo of Stone Expedition boat. July 2003. NPS Photo, Quinn.

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