How was the York boat used in the North American fur trade?

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Alaska: Commercial fishing — boat A commercial salmon-fishing boat in Alaska.

The York boat was a large, sturdy rowboat specifically designed for transporting heavy freight across the inland waterways of the Canadian Northwest during the North American fur trade.1

Named after the York Factory trading post in Manitoba, these vessels were essential for moving goods and furs through rugged terrain where larger ships could not navigate. Unlike smaller canoes, the York boat provided the capacity needed to haul significant cargo, serving as a primary logistical workhorse for companies operating in the region.1