Timber rafting is arguably the second cheapest method of transportation of timber, next after log driving. Both methods may be referred to as timber floating.

Unlike log driving, which was a dangerous task of floating separate logs, timber rafting floats timber tied together into rafts. Floaters could enjoy relative comfort of navigation, with cabins built on rafts, steering by means of oars and possibility to make stops. On the other hand, rafting requires wider waterflows.

Timber rafts were also used as a means of transportation of people and goods, both raw materials (ore, fur, game) and man-made.

Raft construction differed depending on the watercourse. Rocky and windy rivers saw rafts of simple, yet sometimes smart, construction. For example, the front parts of the logs were joined together by wooden bars, while the rear parts were loosely roped together. The resulting slack allowed for easy adaptation for narrow and windy waterbeds. Wide and quiet rivers, like Mississippi allowed huge rafts to travel in groups and even be chained into strings.

Rafts could be both driven or floated free.

See also

• International Timber-Raftsmen Association] ^* with member organizations in 11 countries
• Timber slide
• Log flume

Further reading

• Bowering, Ian How timber rafts ran the Long Sault rapids in Standard Freeholder (October 8, 1993) accessed at Cornwall Public Library, Ontario ^* June 21, 2006

Forestry | Wood | Water transport | Forestry occupations | Log transport

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