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Antique Occupational Photograph, Workmen Building a Log Crib Dam with Hand Drills and Derrick, ca. 1900ca. 1890s-1910s
A rare and evocative working photograph of a crew building a timber crib dam deep in the woods, around the turn of the 20th century.
The massive log crib, its round-ended timbers stacked in alternating courses, rises behind a group of laborers in work clothes, suspenders, and slouch hats. Several men hold long drill steels and hammers, apparently hand-drilling rock for the dam's footing, while at right stands the tall timber mast of a derrick or pile driver with its gear-driven winch.
Crib dams like this were built throughout New England and the northern woods to control water for logging drives, mills, and early power, and photographs showing the work in progress, with the crew and their tools, are seldom found.
A fine image for collectors of occupational photography, logging and lumbering, engineering, and rural industrial history.
Details:
Original mounted photograph, ca. 1890s-1910s
Log crib dam under construction
Workmen with hand drills and hammers
Timber derrick with geared winch
Location and photographer unidentified
Format: Original silver print photograph mounted on gray card
Size: Mount approx. 4 1/2 x 5 1/2 in.; image approx. 3 x 3 1/4 in.
Condition: Good. Print toned and lightly faded, with surface soiling, scattered spots, and small abrasions, including a small loss at the lower left corner of the image. Mount with a water stain at upper right and light edge wear. Please review all photographs for condition.
Carefully packed and shipped. Ref GMV-0010.Green Mountain Vault: Rare books, ephemera and historical collections
