Alligator warping tugs in Northwestern Ontario forestry
In April 2023 J F Hopper detailed Alligator boats used in the Quetico region to tow log booms along inland lakes toward Lake Superior. These 20 to 40 foot tugs used winches and anchors to move timber, aiding boom assembly, sluiceway guiding, and river-drive work, many built by Russell Brothers.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
J.F. Hopper
Ontario
Quetico
Lake Superior
Lake Nipigon
Russel Broth
Thunder Bay museum chronicles Russel Brothers forestry boats
Looking Back traces Thunder Bay area boatyard craft used in Nipigon river log drives. It highlights Russel Brothers small winch boats and large warping tugs built in Owen Sound, with examples such as the 35 foot Outan of 1938 and the 42 foot Onaman. The article notes regional use, a non Russel winch boat Rachel S, and invites stories from readers while thanking Jeff Mundy for help.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ers
Fort Frances
Owen Sound
Russel Brothers
Russelbrothers.com
Steve Briggs
Abibiti Power & Paper
Nipigon River
Jessie Lake
Onaman
Lake Nipigon
Thunder Bay
Russel
Nipigon Lake
Nipigon
Quetico
Lake of the Woods
Jeff Mundy
Home wood sterilizing and end crack prevention tips
Heat treatment at 60 C for 30 minutes is reliable for sterilizing wood after air drying. Painting ends helps prevent end cracks on valuable lumber like black walnut. shading piles also aids drying. For water damaged floors, start with 80 grit sanding, progress to 120 grit, test stain on scrap oak, and finish with semi gloss urethane. Steve Maxwell offers guidance through BaileyLineRoad.com.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Minwax
Varathane
Also Mentioned on This Page
BY Michael Dejong
THE
Thunder Bay Museum
Donald St. E
Thunderbaymuseum.com
Steve Maxwell
BaileyLineRoad.com
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!