The Lumbering Industry

The Lumbering Industry. . , Introduction , The lumbering industry began in this area in the 1860's. There was a great demand for lumber in Canada, the U. S. A. and abroad. The vast stands of white and red pine of the Massey area met this need. Thousands of workers produced millions of feet of lumber. Farmers were able to sell surplus hay, grain and livestock to the lumber companies. Trades people provided their services. Lumbering was the reason for Massey's settlement and development and is still an important economic factor., The Bush Camp (1904) , The timber cruiser was the first on the scene after the lumber company had obtained its cutting area. He chose the campsite. The buildings were log and consisted of a bunkhouse or two, cookery, shops for clerks, blacksmith and sawfiler as well as warehouses and stables. The bush workers and their support staff (125 - 150 persons) went into the camp in late fall and stayed until spring break-up. Farmers used to supplement income by working in the bush or toting goods into the camp, hence “The Tote Road”. , Running the Rapids (1920’s) , To avoid portaging around rapids, the “Pointer Boat” was often steered through by two men. Pointer Boats hauled men along the river as they cleaned up the logs that were stuck or on shore. When the last drive took place, school was dismissed so that the children could witness the event. A replica “Pointer Boat” has been constructed by the “Friends of the Spanish River”. , Chutes , Where there were rapids or waterfalls, a large wooden chute was built. The water and logs were diverted around the obstacle. These were also known as “slides” or “flumes”. Chutes is a common name used by some local businesses and the Provincial Park in Massey. , Hauling , Ice roads were made. A horse weighed fifteen to sixteen hundred pounds and was shod. Because they were very important to the bush work, these horses were very well looked after. The logs were loaded on sleighs at the skidway and hauled to the river banks. Very large loads called “Brag Loads” relied on ingenious mechanisms to brake the load when going up or downhill. , Cutting , All work was done by hand , axe, crosscut saw, canthook and pike pole. The logs were hauled by horses to a skidway where they were piled. These piles often reached twenty feet in height. Special skills were needed to perform these tasks. , River Drive (1906) , During the spring breakup the logs were floated down the creeks and rivers. The Sable and Spanish Rivers were main routes. When the logs reached the mouth of the Spanish River they were sorted according to the stamps on their end. Each lumber company had a distinct stamp. At times there were 30-40 companies operating in the area.