New England sawmillers in Scotland – Sawmill team
The images are courtesy of Rene Knott and Kyle of Sutherland Historical Society. However the writer is uncertain of how the photographs known as the Culeve (Location in Strathcarron) collection were formed and who initially collected them. A similar collection is in the care of the Jenks Library in Acton Massachusetts gifted by Webster Blanchard who was the foreman of New England Mill No 3 team. It is assumed that one of the Americans or more had cameras, took a selection of photographs which were passed to various team members. A local Scottish photographer or press reporter should perhaps not be ruled out as there would have been a ready market for photographs among the New England teams. Any further information on the photographs would be very welcome.
The group posing for the camera appear to be the majority of a team that works this sawmill (location is uncertain). The teams appear to have comprised of a millwright, sawyer, engineer, checker, roll on man, take away man, two lumber stickers and a fuel and slab man all possibly represented here. In addition there were the teamsters taking sawn timber to the stacking and loading area, men stacking and inserting the stickers as well as the mill clerk and time keeper.
Note that the man sitting on right appears to have a bandaged hand and no doubt minor injuries were common. Argay House in Ardgay village was the headquarters for the 10 team operation and had a nurse in attendance. Once serious accident is recorded in Strathcarron at Sawmill Unit No 8 where unfortunately a young sawyer Mr Perkins lost a hand and had to go to Inverness Hospital accompanied by Miss Neil, matron of the local hospital. Part of his arm was amputated.
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Groups: American sawmillers in Scotland 1917, Forestry Areas, Forestry in Action, Groups of people, Sawmills, pulp mills, chipboard mills, Tools, equipment and clothing