Bull-of-the-Woods Logging Scow facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Bull-of-the-Woods Logging Scow
|
|
.jpg)
St. Croix Logging and Milling Company photo of the scow and crew in Birch Lake, Minnesota
|
|
 Location in Minnesota
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Hoist Bay, Burntside Lake, Morse Township, Minnesota |
|---|---|
| Area | Less than one acre |
| Built | circa 1893 |
| Built by | Unknown |
| MPS | Shipwrecks of Minnesota's Inland Lakes and Rivers MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 99000189 |
| Added to NRHP | February 12, 1999 |
The Bull-of-the-Woods Logging Scow is a unique kind of boat that sank in Burntside Lake in Morse Township, Minnesota. It was built around 1893 for companies that cut down trees (logging companies). This special boat helped move logs across lakes and even land. It is the only one of its kind known to still exist today.
Contents
What Was the Bull-of-the-Woods Scow?
The Bull-of-the-Woods Logging Scow was a small, flat-bottomed boat. It used a paddle wheel, like old steamboats, to move through the water. It also had a special engine called a "steam donkey." This engine powered the boat and a strong machine called a winch. A winch is like a giant spool that can pull heavy things with a rope or cable.
How Did It Work?
These boats were very useful for logging companies. They could do many jobs:
- They towed large groups of logs, called timber rafts, across lakes.
- They used their winch to lift heavy logs.
- They could travel in shallow water where other boats could not go.
- They could even pull themselves across dry land using their winch! This is why they were sometimes called "alligators" or "gators."
When Was It Used?
Several of these "alligator" boats worked in northeastern Minnesota in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The Bull-of-the-Woods Scow might have been used until 1926. That was when the last logging company stopped working on Burntside Lake.
Why Is This Scow Special?
The wreck of the Bull-of-the-Woods Logging Scow is very important. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1999. This list includes places that are important to American history.
A Unique Discovery
This scow is special because it's the only known example of its kind. These "alligator" boats were very important for moving timber. But not much was written about them. The wreck helps us learn more about how they were built and used.
A Look into the Past
The scow also shows how the logging industry changed. Machines like the steam donkey made it easier to cut and move logs. This boat is a symbol of how technology helped the industry grow. Studying the wreck can also help archaeologists learn more about its design.
