DCHP-1 Online
sturgeon-head (boat) [so called because the shape of the bow and stern resembled the shovel-snout of a sturgeon] Northwest, Hist. 
n. a freight boat about 55 feet long and 11 wide, with a draught of little more than two feet, capable of carrying 10-12 tons and propelled by poles and or oars, or, in later days, an outboard motor.
See also: rapids boat sturgeon (boat) sturgeon-head scow sturgeon (-nosed) scow
- 1889 (1892) These inland boats, as they are termed, are extraordinary specimens of marine architecture, classified according to shape as York boats, sturgeon-heads, and scows. . . .
- 1892 (1948) The same sturgeon-head boats of the downward trip were in readiness, loaded with bales of furs.
- 1928 A large sturgeon-head boat powered with an outboard motor put out to meet the steamer as we came abreast of the fishing camp.
- 1930 (1964) Goods were sent to Athabasca Landing, taken up the river by steamboat and then hauled in a sturgeon-head to Lesser Slave Lake post and carried by trail to Peace River.
- 1948 Here the rapids boats--sturgeon-head boats they were called, "something between a scow and a York boat" with blunt, rounded bows. . . .
- 1889 (1892) These inland boats, as they are termed, are extraordinary specimens of marine architecture, classified according to shape as York boats, sturgeon-heads, and scows. . . .