Area	Lower Big River
Topic	Tour: Historic Photos of Lower River Log Drives

 

  Click on image to enlarge (64K).

Log rafts on Big River at the old boom ready to move down to the mill. Note the log float loaded with various gear in the foreground. Circa 1870-1880. Original photo taken by Ira C. Perry. #02647. Photo provided courtesy of the Mendocino Historical Society and the Held Poage Memorial Home and Research Library (from the Collection of Robert Lee).


  Click on image to enlarge (25K).

A very early view of lower Big River. Starting a log raft. Mendocino Lumber Company woods. Picture probably 1880 or earlier. Photo provided courtesy of the Mendocino Historical Society and the Held Poage Memorial Home and Research Library (from the Collection of Robert Lee).


  Click on image to enlarge (123K).  Click here to display a larger version (390K).

A busy scene on Big River. Mendocino Lumber Company locomotive #2 (Excelsior) with work train in conjunction with a pile driver building train trestle foundations. Note lighter (small barge) loaded with lumber and ties for bridge and trestle construction. In foreground men are working on long log raft. To the right shows steam powered Maru used for rafting and sorting logs. Photo provided courtesy of the Mendocino Historical Society and the Held Poage Memorial Home and Research Library (from the Collection of Robert Lee).


  Click on image to enlarge (53K).  Click here to display a larger version (168K).

Steamer Big River (Maru) towing logs to the mill. L#07962, A. Knight. Photo provided courtesy of the Mendocino Historical Society and the Held Poage Memorial Home and Research Library (from the Collection of Robert Lee).


  Click on image to enlarge (101K).  Click here to display a larger version (320K).

The log boom at the Mendocino Lumber Company mill. Note the pier in the center of the picture. Photo provided courtesy of the Mendocino Historical Society and the Held Poage Memorial Home and Research Library (from the Collection of Robert Lee).


  Click on image to enlarge (97K).  Click here to display a larger version (312K).

Mendocino Lumber Company log pond. The floating derrick-like apparatus was called a sinker machine. A grappling hook was used for snagging sunken logs. Most of the redwood butt cuts were heavier than water and sunk to the bottom, hence the sinker machine. After logs were raised, they were cradled between two lighter logs. Photo provided courtesy of the Mendocino Historical Society and the Held Poage Memorial Home and Research Library (from the Collection of Robert Lee).

---

To learn more about this topic click here
 
 

www.krisweb.com