Editorially speaking...
Who was it who said, “The only thing we learn from history is that we don’t learn from history?”
And, does history really repeat itself?
Maureen Alexander of the Malahat Mill Bay Historical Society reminded me of these old expressions by her latest report of what’s happening at the old Bamberton cement plant site on the Malahat.
This is the wholesale clearcutting of this long abused mountainside in full view of the traffic on the Island Highway.
Again, it’s a quarrying operation; the only difference is, the limestone and igneous rocks are for purposes other than the making of cement. But the resulting damage to the landscape appears to be greater, much greater, than ever it was in the past.
Only a year ago we had disastrous flooding in the Cowichan Valley, much of it the direct result of land clearing, logging operations and development over the past 175 years. Now—again—it’s the Bamberton site’s turn to face further damage from run-off.
Maureen reminds us that it’s not the first time, this photo showing rains running rampant down the mountainside in 1912.
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On a more positive note, Port Alberni area’s historic McLean Sawmill is alive and well after having experienced funding and attendance problems, the latter thanks to our good friend COVID.
We in the Cowichan Valley have the B.C. Forest Discovery Centre but we’re not the only historic logging show around. Here’s the Western Vancouver Island Industrial Heritage Society’s latest report that shows how hard work and enthusiasm can overcome most if not all obstacles:
'OLD-TIME STEAM LOGGING DEMONSTRATIONS - UPDATE
Due to "Covid 19" and other factors beyond their control, the "J.J. Logging Crew" have only given one Demonstration in the past three years and that was the Memorial Show in honour of legendary old-time logger and founder of the Show, Jack James.
The Covid situation meant no shows in 2020 and 2021. In 2022, the Crew were prepared to do some 'Special Event'’ Shows but Liability Insurance issues could not be sorted out in time to do any Shows before the end of the tourist season.
The City of Port Alberni owns the Steam Donkey and the land that it sits on. The volunteer Logging Crew maintains and operates the machinery, and puts on the Demonstrations.
Vintage steam boilers must be re-certified and tested every five years and the five years were up. Earlier this year, the Industrial Heritage Society, with the assistance of a couple of retired Boilermakers, Island Boiler Guru, Roger Blagborn and "Kodiak Non-destructive Testing" tech, Jim Isnor, had the Boiler tested and re-certified. The former Steam Engineer at the McLean Mill, Keith Young, graciously helped out as he had operated the Donkey Boiler more than anybody in the past decade.
Local businessman and logger, Bill Coates of "Roc-Star Enterprises" and Whiskey Creek well-driller Ken Fyfe donated the money to cover the costs of the Re-certification work.
'THANK YOU!!!"
Boiler Operators must be (re) certified, too, and the 1929 "Washington Iron Works" boiler needed a new Operator. This takes 50 hours 'mechanicking' the unit, as well as 50 hours’ operating time. John Land, who is also one of the Alberni Pacific Rail steam locomotive Engineers, offered to get his ticket on the Donkey boiler. This meant sitting...and passing!... a Steam exam, as well. Keith Young mentored John on the Donkey.
This meant that, after the Boiler Re-certification was complete, the Boiler was fired up for several days, so that John could build up his operating hours. The Woodpile at the Donkey site is considerably smaller than it was in May! It was lucky that the Crew had done some wood-splitting this Spring!
At the end of the September, without having given any Shows for the Public, the Steam Donkey was 'put to bed' for the winter. It had to be fired up, then the Boiler drained, so that it could be stored dry for the winter. One has to try to minimize corrosion!
Over the winter, the Crew will work with the City to try to solve the Insurance impasse.
This "Old-time Steam Logging Demonstration'' is unique. "High-lead" Yarding with a fully-rigged wooden Spar Tree, powered by a Steam Donkey used to be the standard method used on the whole Pacific Coast in the first half of the Twentieth Century. That is how the McLeans got logs for their Sawmill.
The "J.J. Logging" demonstration is about the last operating example of this technology remaining and that is why the group is proud and willing to continue to present it.
We hope to be able to do this in 2023...
I’ve not visited the McLean Mill but have always wanted to do so. Here’s hoping it will be open to the public this summer~
The McLean Mill’s venerable steam donkey, once a common sight but now, other than at the Mill and the B.C. Forest Discovery Centre, a rare sight