One of our countries first, and very important commercial industries was logging. Back in the old days huge rafts of squared logs were set up by the loggers. These would make the journey downstream along these vast rivers in the Springtime.

The loggers set up their living quarters right on the giant rafts, and many of them slept, and ate on the deck while travelling to their ports of call. Once there the rafts of timber were disassembled, and the logs shipped to England.

As early as the year 1790 a timber raft travelled all the way from Kingston, Ontario to Quebec City. Quite a feat in my opinion even today!

Image Credit: Hopkins, Frances Anne (1838-1919) Library and Archives Canada, Acc. No. R9266-278