New England sawmillers in Scotland – Small diameter timber at mill site
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.
Piles of small diameter timber poles and stem tops lying above a mill site. Initially it looked like piles of birch logs but more likely Scots pine and larch. There is a little sorting into little larger diameter straighter poles along with piles of lighter and quite bent looking material. It looks as though this material was much less of a priority than the sawn material and left piled back in the wood until a suitable market was secured.
There is mention of mining timber being produced by the mill teams and would have been a priority. Evidently small round wood props were not used. It is assumed this material would have been used in the agriculture and market garden industry. Any thoughts and potential wartime uses very welcome.
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Groups: American sawmillers in Scotland 1917, Forestry Areas