Some Conestoga It required less animals to pull and to feed on the trail and could move faster (20 miles a day vs. 13-15 for the Conestoga wagon). Such wagons required reasonably good roads, such as the National Road, and were simply not practical for moving westward across the plains. Generally, the canvas topped “Prairie Schooners” had wagon boxes about four feet wide by nine to eleven feet long and two feet high, with rear axle clearance of about two feet. The covered wagon was long the dominant form of transport in pre-industrial America. Prairie Schooners only required between 2 and 6 oxen to pull them, and could carry up to 2,500 pounds of cargo. Teaching as a performance: How one teacher stays connected to his class The Conestoga wagon was much larger and heavier than a prairie schooner. Conestoga wagon wheels would be built up to 6 feet high. Conestoga Wagon 1750-1850 was the freight wagon of early america. Hardships and ChallengesHow the pioneers dealt with the weather, diseases, trail and common mistakes. Wheel spokes and rims were made of Osage orange, hickory, oak or other very strong hardwoods with iron rims or tires. Slightly smaller wheels in front provided greater turning capability for the Prairie Schooners. Named for its white canvas top, which at a distance made it resemble a sailing ship, the prairie schooner had a flat body and lower sides than the Conestoga wagon. In fact, the Prairie Schooner was considerably lighter than the Conestoga Wagon, which allowed for fewer oxen or mules to pull it along, generally only two or four. – The metal rims on the wheels for the Conestoga wagon were 4" wide to float the weight of the wagon across long stretches of sandy trails. Originally these heavy 2 1/2" wide steel tires would have been held on with lynch pins. …smaller and lighter wagons called prairie schooners (the white canvas tops, or bonnets, of which appeared from a distance to resemble sailing ships) were much more suitable for long-distance travel than the big, heavy, and unwieldy Conestoga wagons of the East. Fortress, ambulance, amphibious home on wheels—the humble covered wagon stands as the symbol of the winning of the West . Another word for conestoga wagons. The height of the axles was intended to clear ruts in the roads and tree stumps. Photographs . Provisions and Prices. The Wagon. The usual average rate of travel with such wagons on the Oregon Trail was about 2 miles (3.2 km) per hour, and the average distance covered each day was about 15 to 20 miles (24 to 32 km). George R. Stewart. Updates? Blue sky view white canopy Prairie Schooner wagon standing front Cavalry Barracks building, Fort Laramie, Wyoming, USA. December 2020 . storage features. The wheels were made of wood, with iron bands fastened to the outside of the rims; at times, when the wood would shrink, these “tires” would separate from the rim. The wheels had 10 inch broad oak rims, to help prevent the covered wagon from sinking in the mud. Wagon Diagram and Information. How to use Google Classroom: Tips and tricks for teachers; Sept. 30, 2020. The entire wagon stood up to 11 feet high, and was up to 24 feet long, from the front and rear canvas tips. Prairie schooners were ordinary farm wagons, which had the lightness and durability necessary for a cross-country trip. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). wagon box were caulked with tar to protect them from leaking while Hardships. The sides of the wagons were waterproofed with tar, so they could ford rivers and keep the cargo dry. I often ask guests if they would drive a Peterbilt up the Blue Ridge Parkway? Put 10 Things in Your Wagon. 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