Peapod (boat) facts for kids

A peapod is a special kind of small boat. It was first used a long time ago for catching lobsters in Maine, a state in the United States. Peapods are shaped the same at both ends, like a pea pod! They were usually made from wood. Today, people mostly use them for fun, like going for a row on the water.

What is a Peapod?

Peapods are unique rowboats. They were created in Maine especially for lobstering. Imagine a boat that can go where bigger boats can't!

Where Did Peapods Come From?

Records from the 1800s say that peapods were first made around 1870. This happened on an island called North Haven in Maine. However, some boat builders, like Eric Dow, think they might have started in different places across Maine. People first called them "double-enders" because of their shape.

Peapods have a very shallow draft. This means they don't need much water to float. This was perfect for the rocky waters of Maine. Lobstermen could row them into small coves. They often stood up and faced forward while rowing. This helped them see better.

Who Used Peapods?

Besides lobstermen, lighthouse keepers loved peapods too. Their easy movement made them great for getting to and from lighthouses.

A famous builder of peapods was James "Jimmy" Steele. Many of his tools and molds are now kept at the Penobscot Marine Museum.

The author Elisabeth Ogilvie wrote many novels about lobstering in Maine. She often mentioned peapods in her stories. Younger lobstermen in her books would fish from peapods. In her novel The Dawning of the Day, she wrote that boys would use peapods in good weather. But in winter, they would go out with their fathers in bigger boats.

How Are Peapods Built?

Peapods are built using a traditional method. This is called "plank-on-frame" construction. It means wooden planks are attached to a strong wooden frame. The boat is perfectly the same from its front (stem) to its back (stern). Peapods were made in different sizes. A common length for them was about fifteen feet.