REDWOOD LUMBERING. 65 



MANAGING SINKERS IN WATER. 



In following the redwood log from stump to mill, by rail 

 and raft, it may occur to the reader that one little bit of infor- 

 mation is lacking. And it is an answer to an inquiry in- 

 variably made by a stranger, how the butt logs that sink in 

 water are rafted to the mill or run down the stream. The 

 current of the streams down which the logs are run to pond 

 or boom at tide-water, is so strong and swift during the " run- 

 ning " season, that boulders weighing twenty or thirty tons, 

 not firmly imbedded in the earth along their banks, are rolled 

 along like pebbles in a mill stream. How much easier is it, 

 then, for a smooth, round " sinker " or butt log to make any 

 resistance ? So rapid are the streams that a " jam " is impos- 

 sible. It is after arriving at the ponds or tide-water storing 

 grounds, where the sediment from hills has settled, that the 

 " sinker " becomes troublesome to the raft-men. To place 

 them in line of march to the mill, after they have settled in 

 the mud at the pond or at tide-water, two floating, scow-built 

 boats twenty-five or thirty feet long are employed. These 

 boats are rigged with windlasses, chains and grab hooks. 

 The position of a sinker being ascertained, two floaters, or 

 logs from the upper portion of trees, are floated to the spot, 

 upon each side of which the sinker is to be fastened ; the 

 grab chains from the scows are lowered, and the sinker is 

 raised to the surface. Then the three are joined together by 

 short iron chains, having thin wedges attached at each end 

 and driven solidly into each. Thus the sinker is supported 

 and rafced to the mill. 



