Photo Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
1993.025.006 |
Object Name |
Print, Photographic |
Description |
A spar tree with multiple cables is the main focus, and at the lower right is a massive steam-powered machine with two boilers that is harnessed to the overhead cable systems. It is the same skidder from 1993.025.005. "Nicholas Morant Photograph from office of Director of Public Information Ottawa" stamped on the back. |
Image File Name |
1920-50 - VL&M Large Skidder - Chemainus - 1993025006 - jpg72 - 001 |
Year Range from |
1920 |
Year Range to |
1950 |
Place |
Chemainus |
Provenance |
The Victoria Lumber & Manufacturing Company (VL&M) was incorporated in 1889 by J.A. Humbird, a US lumberman and protégé of Frederick Weyerhaeuser. He purchased 100,000 acres (400 sq km) from the Esquimalt & Nanaimo Railway for $5 an acre, and a small sawmill in Chemainus. In 1893 VL&M built a new mill, which burnt in 1923 and was subsequently rebuilt in 1925. VL&M went into voluntarily receivership in 1944 and was purchased by the HR MacMillan Export Co. in 1949. The photographs in this accession are from the Estate of Jens Mogens Wiedswang and depict his career in the logging industry. Jens Mogens Wiedswang (1897 - 1993) was a Norwegian high rigger who began logging in BC in 1920. He possibly rigged or helped rig the spar tree pictured. In 1937 VL&M bought a Lidgerwood interlocking skidding engine from Pacific Iron & Steel. They also owned a Willamette Skidder. The machine photographed might be a modified skidder, possibly using elements from both skidders, especially considering the double boilers. |
Photographer |
Morant, Nicholas |
Search Terms |
Victoria Lumber & Manufacturing Company willamette skidder lidgerwood skidder No. 3 Chemainus logging spar tree VL&M Director of Informatiion Ottawa |
Collection |
Logging T&E |
People |
Wiedswang Morant |
Subjects |
Heavy Equipment Yarding & Loading |