New England sawmillers in Scotland – Sawmill site possibly in Strathcarron
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.
A view of yet another sawmill on site. This particular site area is untypically very level in front of the mill, the flue is of a larger diameter than many of the others and has no spark arrester fitted.
Little is seen of the mill machinery but outside there are three four wheeled wagons lined up to receive products from the saw. The nearest wagon, end on, may have rail sleepers on board and is set up to be pulled by two horses. The other two have smaller dimensional timber the further away wagon with square sided battons and nearest may be waney edged material. In foreground right is a set of large wheels which may have been for fitting on and transporting the steam engine. Note that the saw blade is sitting out and away from its working location and may be a spare that is to be fitted.
Each mill had an office close to the saw where the book keeper tallied up and kept a daily record of all the output products and time sheets for all the workers. This is quite a substantial building for an office but may have also been used for other purposes or a storage location. The pile of ‘backs’ or first cut off log with all the bark is substantial and assume the better bits would have been used for fuel wood in the steam engine, in the stoves heating the living quarters of the men and for cooking.
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Groups: American sawmillers in Scotland 1917, Buildings in Forests, Forestry Areas, Forestry in Action, Groups of people, Sawmills, pulp mills, chipboard mills