From stump to ship: A 1930 logging film

ARC Identifier 13585 / Local Identifier 95.287 - Department of Agriculture. Forest Service. Division of State and Private Forestry. Fire and Aviation Management Staff. (1986) - 1930 - The long log drive: a spring journey down icy streams and rivers moving logs from the forest to the mill for sawing into boards, laths, and clapboards. For more than 150 years, logging techniques remained the same. Men cut trees by hand and loaded them on horse-drawn sleds to be hauled over snow to the river. Skilled river drivers maneuvered the logs downstream, risking their limbs and lives every day. This film survives as a record of the long log business. Highly detailed scenes, filmed year-round, are uniquely enhanced by the original script, written to be read with the silent footage in the 1930s. The soundtrack is brought to life by Tim Sample, narrator and renowned Maine humorist, in the role of the filmmaker, Alfred Ames. - Copied by Thomas Gideon

[@whisperwire]

Not sure how I got here but sure glad I watched. A awesome TRUE step back in time. If KZbin had a best list, this should top the list!

[@InHisImage1161]

Spent a few years "cleaning up" after these power houses diving in Moosehead lake Maine for the saw logs that sank and didn't make the mills. We pulled up some corkers. Axe cut maple 30 inches at the stump, beautiful figured birch and lots of relics, boom chains to peeves and much more. Shipped several railcars of the prettiest wood you've ever seen to Wisconsin. Great experience.

[@Spaceman_spliff]

That’s very friggin cool, thanks for sharing. I’ve got half a mind to make the trek up from Portsmouth nh and go do some diving myself.

[@InHisImage1161]

@@Spaceman_spliff Moosehead has some good diving. Ask around the locals can put you on some spots.

[@tommy..980]

I just ran across this in 2022 I absolutely memorized me… That’s when men were men… Loved the man accent and his love for all his workers… Thanks for whoever put this on KZbin

[@dedeye1]

While hunting in the north woods of Maine I have stood on stumps cut with two man bucks and followed an old gouge from a log dragged thru the woods to the edge of a small stream by a team of horses and my imagination brought me along the journey much the same as this video did. Thanks for posting it!

[@philgiglio7922]

This is a national treasure...hope the National Archive has a copy.

[@piad2102]

Love these old videos. I have deeply respect for all the hard working people, well, men. They sure were tough skinned. No whining, working insane conditions, cold, heat. Danger everywhere. Respect.

[@Spaceman_spliff]

As a 27 year old chairmaker who starts with logs and ends with chairs (Windsors and ladderbacks) that apprenticed to be a chairmaker in midcoast Maine, this video is 11/10 friggin amazing. Maine was a wild place to be alive in the early 1900’s and earlier.

[@dannymayhew2749]

I am watching this on February 1, 2022 and am sooo impressed with it! Thanks for all the great comments below!

[@bugnfront]

watching in 2018...I build a log home in 1994 by hand...I didnt know about PeeVees. peeled 5,000 feet of logs. and used a chainsaw...I have collected many old log tools...they use a ferrel saw horizontily back then...and a buck saw vertically...cross cut buck!...men were men then! I had great help by a man named Brad...he was a forester and Vikng by heritage. love the tree!!! Pine sol in my blood!!! no greater craft that is so dangerous and rewarding ..a Art in every sense...the toppers died more then any other job or craft..."widow makers"! I sooo appreciated this film!!!

[@bigger680]

My great great grandfather was a camp carpenter for a logging company, his son my great grandfather was a camp cookie. This was back in the logging days of Michigan. Thank you for such a wonderful video.

[@petersaupe7455]

A film to show children what work was and a hard life their forebearer,s had.Real people in a real world.

[@randlerichardson5826]

I enjoy watching these old logging videos I was a logger for 30 years I miss it to

[@chrism.713]

A fantastic look at the past. Every young person should see this movie and appreciate what it took to make a living in the 1930s.

[@davin1287]

Not everyone lived like this in the 30s, don't be stupid.

[@scottwebster695]

@@davin1287 Please tell me more.

[@Spaceman_spliff]

Agreed that it’s a great look at the past, it looks amazing. However their wages were far more in line with the average cost of living than what we see today. There’s no comparison to be made. Also there are definitely many jobs that still exist today that are as difficult and as strenuous.

[@bmcc12]

I spent thirteen months in Viet Nam with a wind up eight millimeter camera. In all that time, I think I probably took four or five, five or ten minute films. This guy,, thirty years before me, managed to record a cohesive, long and carefully made film. He must have been a genius, and a serious man!

[@4545harrypotter]

September 9, 1968 at 11 O'clock at night I walked the gang plank out onto the "Queen Mary Log Sorter" on the Kennebec River Log Drive in Winslow, Maine. This video was 38 years prior but brings back a lot of memories of working the drives.

[@Antipodean33]

Brilliant little doco and his cinematic skills were pretty good. Up at 4 work all day till dusk, tough hard life, imagine trying to find enough men of that quality nowadays.

[@MrJterbush]

This footage is truly priceless!

[@mrwess1927]

Almost as priceless as the old growth forests these logs came from.

[@locke3862]

Rip to the men in this video. Such a great generation

[@andrewczuba498]

Still standing in awe of their work, for sure. And what impresses me most is that the narrator spoke of every man as a man that he knew, he spoke of the fact that they all owned their own homes, they ate together, worked together. there is a sense of respect and pride for the man and the work and the community which is sorely lacking today.

[@flinkostememniakgrant1266]

Andrew, very keen observation .

[@charlessummers2742]

I'm sure that the gentleman who made this film would be so tickled to know we're all watching this in 2015 - and standing in awe at their work! Love it, just love it. Best parts: hard work, people everywhere, and that the narrator honours every worker by their full name!

[@JosephKulik2016]

This video has great historical significance. This is especially so because since the Industrial Revolution started around 1800 "history" began to accelerate almost beyond comprehension. Whole industries, and with it many unique job roles, came and went. Many completely disappeared into "history" almost without notice. It is only through seemingly obscure and seemingly trivial old films like this one that they are kept alive in our cultural memory for future generations to appreciate. ... [e-mail]

[@damianpascual97]

2020😎

[@1974jrod]

My grand father had this film on VHS back in The late 80s. I watched it several times, and now I'm glad it's found it way to KZbin 30 years later. Good memories.

[@mrwess1927]

I wish they took forest conservation more seriously back then.

[@toddcaspersen8041]

2022

[@brianlopez8855]

Fascinating history.

[@dijonstreak]

A MUST see for all interested in this fascinating endeavor....The World of Logging !!

[@MagnetOnlyMotors]

It’s amazing what two hauses can haul to the yaad.

[@madtrapperofmudcreek9183]

Yea two hauses can twitch quite a load back to the yaad

[@jorda.2412]

My Gramps and his brother picked up where this old timer left off. Late 30s Steam pony ran the sawmill, hand saws in the bush, whole families lived in logging/ sawmill camp 7 months of year. They ran 30 men, horses brought in the logs. 3 ton trucks hauled sawn lumber to railhead or town 60 miles. Then came tractors, cats and diesel power after the war. Norther east Sask., Canada. Torch river and north of Saskatchewan River.

[@fletcher3913]

This is a wonderful history lesson. Thanks to all responsible for getting this on KZbin.

[@Chosen2serveG]

At 8:28 the young man watches the elder man take his hat off and follows his example...never in 2021 lol

[@GeraldMcveigh]

4 meals a day 😊 they deserve it 😅 keep your crew happy 😊 and they will never let you down 😊❤

[@sheldonwalton5905]

My great grandfather, Erville Palmer and his father, did this sort of work, over in Bristol Maine.

[@dur84]

Thank you for working your tail off to build America. There's something to be said for getting out of high school and working for 5 years or so. No play just work and become a great American and not a whinny need a new iphone mine got a scratch.

[@williamjamesrapp7356]

I dont know any of these people but I like that he spoke of peoples names and pointed them out -- I am sure some family member who may not even know this video exists may find them some day

[@centman1000]

Enthralling, a superb historical document

[@alexpark7139]

The gist of the story is..many land owners, and timber men DID take forest conservation seriously back then. The repeated harvest of marketable timber on this companies tracts clearly tells that story. My father, grandfathers on both sides, uncles and cousins have been timbering in the main woods for at least 150 years, probably longer. It is only most recently, the last 50 years say, that the practice of clear cutting and follow-up re-planting of inferior species has left vast areas of the north woods in sad shape. Even so, there are still, and again, many efforts to protect the environment and it’s inhabitants. The woods are the only real source of income for millions of north-woods folk, and they proudly strive to keep them healthy and productive.

[@pauldolan1493]

What a look into the past! Teamwork and so many different skill sets required to not only be productive but to not get smooshed a hundred different ways. “Note the steam coming off the horses”

[@petermladinic8249]

I lived outside Machias, in Cutler in ‘66-67. I found this film very very interesting, and got an idea of the labor, skill, and character of the loggers and mill workers. I hope to watch it again, soon.

[@johnrogers1661]

Great video, the man made this video like he did his work, no nonsense or fluff! These men could feel good that they did honest real work, God Bless all of them!

[@sonnygivens4549]

It's amazing how he speaks of walking the river for the first time in 1879, at first I thought he said 1979 and had to Rewind...but it is so amazing that the man speaking on this recording had lived through the more lawless times of American history and now is video recording his work in 1930, it must be an amazing feeling to be able to record video for personal use like this after living most of his life in a slightly more primitive America , very cool.

[@zionisimkills1098]

Lawless in 1879, are you kidding America has so many laws now, the more laws, the more corrupt the government is. No more corrupt than in 2020, I would go back to 1879 in a heart beat, the freedom to be a man in 1879 what dream.

[@russellloomis4376]

I have to disagree back then people still lived and followed biblical principles, unlike today. This is still a younger America when people believe in hard work and the American dream. Nowadays they sit on their ass and collect welfare. I would love to live in a pre-1960s America before it became a shit hole of illegal immigrants who hate this country but take everything they'd can from it.

[@daintree98]

Image that, his father was managing the mill since 1858 and that was before the American Civil War when lumber was in great demand. Also note, not one of the workers are wearing gloves, splinters galore.

[@richardsweet5853]

Great old picture. For 46 years I worked for the Pacific Lumber Co at Scotia, CA. It was chartered in Maine.

[@tomrogers9467]

Loved the history. My family camp in Central Ontario, Canada is on land just like this. The river that runs near the lake was used for river drives, with a water powered sawmill at the dam. Dad used to take me exploring in it after it shut down. Six foot circular in that one. I remember the smell today- pine, leather, oil and sweat. If you’ve ever met a mill worker you’ll know what I mean, and it’s not unpleasant. Our land was clearcut in the 20’s, burned bare by a railway caused fire. Today we’ve white pine three feet at the stump. The second or third harvest is being taken all around the province.

[@scotthruska4906]

Very good, A old lumber company man lived next to me when I was 6+ years. WOW. He had a shed full of the old cross cut, and more. Axes 🪓 Too. All types. Thanks 😊

[@isakbonaventura2825]

Never forget the past!!

[@brucewilliams6292]

Wow, I could picture my ancestors doing this. Thank you for sharing this great video.

[@DaffyJeffy]

I would describe myself as an environmentalist (even a bit of a tree-hugger). You are completely correct. Simply harvest at a rate slower than growth and it's all good. :)

[@ShakespeareCafe]

The harses are the unsung heroes in this film

[@seanoreiley48]

Incredible! I’m glad this has been preserved for future generations to see

[@nickw3867]

Second breakfast, second lunch, its really a thing!

[@thomwat]

Outstanding historical gem and always enjoy seein the draft horses and teamstas! Amazing to see so much mechanization in 1930 as well!

[@homebuiltindoorplane]

this was just fantastic, what a historical treasure, thanks for posting!

[@rawbacon]

These guys are still alive today and still log the old fashioned way too.

[@torballs]

I am ignorant when it comes to horses. I didn't know they could haul that kinda load. Impressive.

[@SuperPeader]

Great historical movie. Kudos for the restoration and keeping our history alive. Remarkable!

[@pompilid6]

I could watch that kind of stuff all day. Although logging in those days was fraught with danger it seems the employees were well looked after, four dinners a day sounds alright to me, with the strenuous nature of the work (no chain saws in that film) they would need a terrific intake of calories to keep going. Thanks for posting this, absolutely fascinating - Rog

[@GlobalistJuice]

And these were not heavy muscled men by any means, average men with the strength of a horse!!!

[@Blessings.429]

It’s 2020 (pandemic) and its fascinating still. Really enjoyed it. Thank you

[@danielbeloin340]

My Dad was a teamster in the 30's in the eastern townships of Southern Quebec. That's basically the same place with similar timber as Machias ME. At a dollar a day for him and a dollar a day for his team of horses with room and board for both he was making better money than we can today. With $12 dollars a week he was putting $10 dollars a week in the bank. People lived a lot simpler then....no frills.

[@russellloomis4376]

@phục êwê fuck off you haven't got a clue what he's talking about.

[@guzziventure1750]

What a great documentary. And by one of the men who worked and lived in logging. How fantastic! And now, after almost a century Iater, somebody from the Netherlands (Europe) is watching this awesome, astonishing movie!

[@NoctisIgnem]

Even now us Dutch are looking

[@oldladymaz]

To those questioning the accent: That is a genuine Maine accent.

[@garymeador6750]

True!

[@McLainACS1978]

The accent in most Stephen King movies

[@russellloomis4376]

My aunt is from South Boston when she came to California I could barely understand what she was saying. Ive had to ask her what she meant more than once over the years.😂😂😂

[@chris-vd8tw]

Its Tim Sample!

[@dcrog69]

@@McLainACS1978 The accent they attempt in Steven King movies.

[@Clunk49]

Fantastic history! Thank you Mr. Ames! Thank you Mr. Sample for the pleasant narration!

[@yokomzare201]

This is History Saved. Thank You

[@foulanchor9537]

I noticed some comments about accents below. I am old enough to remember knowing where people grew up by their accent. Accents are disappearing now or becoming more subtle. So much so, that "millennials" are unfamiliar with regional speech when they encounter it. Maybe that explains why some commenters don't understand older regional vocab and accents. Just an opinion.

[@fasx56]

Excellent comments below that express the value of such a historic film that has been preserved in someones archive, thanks for the upload.

[@david9783]

Men were indeed men in those days.Did you see any of those loggers appear to be overweight?No.Not one.Their work kept them in top shape.And their daily caloric intake was 5000-6000 calories.I have nothing but the highest respect for those men.

[@charliemartin5482]

they got no union breakes no. brakes at all !!

[@russellloomis4376]

@@charliemartin5482 have you watched this video at all? 4 breakfast, 9 first lunch, 2 second lunch. So jobs require you to always be on top of things you take breaks when you can.

[@Tricknologyinc]

Would like to see this digitized again this time in focus. The details would add so much to the preservation of the record! Thanks for sharing this!

[@AdamB12]

The loggers floated timber down the various rivers in the north woods until 1970 or so. The Golden road was built around that time so they could run trucks up there eaiser

[@1950bigkid]

I'd love to see the men on those logging reality shows trying to keep up with these men.

[@karlvincent5875]

Jim Marcum Its what you eat. All the processed/canned foods fast food of today. They lack the quantities of needed vitamins and minerals. Those food pyramids and recommended daily values are what you need to simply survive, not to live to your full potential. What we eat is killing us slowly.

[@gabbyhillier2101]

Bruce Skakle and rrrtttfggyyyyyyy

[@MrYTGuy1]

just go look up the AVERAGE lifespan of people now vs then

[@ArmpitStudios]

@Jim Marcum Your "facts" are reversed. The average lifespan now is MUCH longer than ever. Your small example in no way lines up with the average.

[@garyvanpatten3947]

well they got things done and sleep well at nite time . i spent 30 years doing this was rewarding worked at the last steam mill in Cailf.

[@MarbleLily]

I hope you know we all appreciate your hard work :) Not everyone could do what you did.

[@westmeathguy]

Nice going Gary!

[@kristinabarrett5273]

Gary Van Patten lpdkkfokd

[@MrThenry1988]

Awesome. Hope all is well.

[@user-ru9xy7zv8i]

What a delightful film. Seems like almost a lost art.

[@amypru77]

Just watched this today after a visit to the Patten Lumberman's museum a few weeks ago!

[@Joellikestobox]

I think it's cool how he knows every person by first and last name with the place they are from back when people truly cared

[@63256325N]

What a fantastic bit of history! Thanks for the video.

[@rockandroll4evermore]

Amazing efforts by the workers. Very nice film. Thanks for posting. I am in awe of the workers.

[@maxhole2]

A great piece of history! Thanks for sharing, I'll be showing this to my kids !

[@bctw9004]

Absolutely amazing historical video!!! Thank you for posting

[@eastwestfarm]

My great grandfather did such work in Arkansas after going on his own at the age of 14.

[@osvaldocristo]

Thank you so much to share this video. Simply it is a window to the past! Who tells it is not possible time travel? :)

[@chrismclendon4937]

I like that he knows all of their names.

[@flattenthecurve8623]

He’s was probably one of them at some point.

[@dragonfly8080808]

History preserved thank you

[@dorfrez]

Wow what a wonderful look into the past.

[@nickmad887]

thank you

[@morgansword]

One heck of a great video. I am impressed as I did this kind of work on the skagit river in the fifties, I hope this film is preserved

[@salahhamid1198]

2019 anybody in 2019? 😕

[@ocsteved]

late 1800s thru early 1900s always interesting history in woodland operations.

[@russellloomis4376]

👍

[@jakedeeyah1640]

present

[@brassbrad7427]

Just made it . . . in 2019 !!

[@damianpascual97]

ocsteved 2020

[@IDT69]

Now this was logging! I’m in the last of the hand cutters in my area with a chainsaw and small forwarder, this way is long gone, we still find remnants of old operations once in awhile on blocks being cut a second or third time

[@southhillfarm2795]

Amazing historical film.

[@andvil01]

A nice time documentation. It could have been filmed in north Sweden as well. As a member of a sailing club with a three mast schooner, it's interesting to se when the era of the sail ended, as they say: sail meets steam. Thanks for making YT better.

[@jaredstudley4780]

Just like a pie from church suppah!

[@riverraisin1]

I got a kick out of that as well. Not just any pie....

[@davalleyguy5020]

That accent made it to our southern shore in nova scotia and is still as strong today!

[@SV-Catmantoo]

Great look at the old days

[@pnwRC.]

AWESOME video! Thanks for sharing!

[@NeilGraham.I.M.F]

What a great watch. That was an incredible documentation such great and detailed narration

[@1fromtheroad]

As cool as it can be

[@Relay300]

Great piece of history

[@audreygreen-hite2075]

Awsome real history. I can only dream of being as tough as these men. Luca

[@GlobalistJuice]

That was great!! 👍

[@aubreyaub]

Bloody marvellous film. What a bottler.

[@guydumas2729]

this film is a gem, un vrai bijou

[@homebrewer7]

For a short time in the 1950's, I worked for a sawmill co in southern Oregon. I drove 2 sawdust trucks and several times in the night had to hop out onto the logs with a pole to drag in logs. I did not wear spiked boots and these logs would roll so I had to move quickly. Some logs were small and would sink fast. This all happened while living in Oakland, Oregon. The real " Pond Monky " was always passed out drunk so I had to take his place out on that " Mill Pond ". The water was very rank. Nasty. Now and then a log would come loose and slide back into the water. That would cause this rank pond water to splash on me. I would have to take the pole and guide the log back to the slip. The pole not only had a metal point but also a hook. If I was not fast enough, the sawyer would toot his horn many times quickly. There were normally several logs waiting up there to be cut but I would be late getting back with the saw dust truck.

[@floydlivingston6762]

This is a prime example of good forestry practices

[@thornwarbler]

what an absolute gem.......................Thankyou

[@SurferJoe46]

Feb 2021 here - Hey! Take a look at "Sometimes A Great Notion" to see a list of great actors in a movie that tells of a logging family business.

[@zerofox7347]

I’d love to see a movie like this made onboard one of those schooner’s but it’s hard to find shipping movies from back then.

[@joshuaswanson7210]

The details in the video are very impressive! No doubt some descendents of these hardworking men will find them. Chances are this is the only video they were in. It would be great if someone could document all their names in this video so relatives can find them.

[@russellloomis4376]

I think Mr. Ames did a pretty good job of using the men's names.

[@bob_frazier]

A three master schooner "that we couldn't give away".

[@TheBushfish]

Thanks for the upload, great film.