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I Vv r ^ • • BIBLIOTHEQUE DE LA VILLE DE MONTREAL COLLECTION GAGNON \ \. \ 29 I'orme 1580—1-20 mm I ■, ' I .. -; i .*'■:' I REPORT OF AN e\PLORUI0N OF CERTAIN TIMBER UNITS SITUATED ON THE RIVER BONAVENTURE, BAIE DES CHALEURS, PROVINCE OF QUEBEC, CANADA I Quebec, December 24tli, 1889. Sir, Early in October, according to your instructions, I left Quebec, to explore your timber limits lying along both sides of the Grrand River Bonaventure. I took one man with me, an expert in all details of lumbering operations, and on arriving at Bonaventure, engaged two other men with canoe to transport outfit and ourselves from point to point as the exploration called for a shift of locality. I have ascended and examined the River for about fifty miles above the Baie des Chaleurs, camping for several days at different points and thoroughly exploring the sur- rounding country along both sides of the main river and — 2 — its tributaries and back to the depth at the boundaries of the limits east and west. This exploration continued with scarcely any interru])tion, from bad weather or any cause, during" October, November and a part of December. It was conducted with great care and, I feel, is thorough, correct and reliable in every respect. I found that with the excep- tion of the extreme lower or south end of the limits, that the whole region is splendidly and uniformly wooded, practically untouched and undevastated by fire, windfalls, &c, a virgin forest, I may call it, of Spruce, Fir or Sapin, Pine, Cedar, Balm of Gifead, Bouleau or Canoe Birch, Red and While Birch, with some Tamarac, Ash, Maple and Cy- press or Gre// Pine. The timber is of unusual average size, length and quality and in soundness is loonderfulltj good. Spruce. — Is of such a si/e, diameter and length, (young or undersized Spruce being in smaller proportion than I have generally found it elsewhere) as to yield 3 or 4 logs standard logs 18| ftxl4 inch, per tree below branches, the smaller end of the last or highest logs giving 14 inch dia- meter, and in very many cases 80 logs would give or equal 100 standard logs, and 30 "u of first quality. A de- fective tree, from any cause, is so rare that one is not met in a day's march. I have put, as a low estimate of the quantity of spruce,. 12,000 logs per square mile, equal to about 20 logs 13J ft x 14 inch average to the square acre. Fir or Sapin. — Is also of unusual size and soundness, and is of the best variet//, known as the ivhite sapin or /i?\ and is frequently as large as the Spruce, tho' not so long, giving fewer logs per tree. This wood, I feel sure when fairly put on the market and butter known, will command a price { — 3 — nearly, if not fully, equal to Spruce. It is a fine wood, and on these limits of exceptional size, soundness and quality. I have put the quantity at about one third that of the Spruce, say : 4,000 to 5,000 logs, 13^ ft x 14 in average, per square mile, this is a low count. Pine. — Is about the only variety of timber that has ever been cut. Formerly, say 40 or 50 years ago, it must have been fairly plentiful and good, and even to-day there is still a considerable quantity of good standing Pine which will give an avoraLro size of 18 inches, logs 12^ ft long. I have put the total quantity of logs at about 175,000 12J ft x 18 in. average. Cedar, lohite variety. — 1« found in immense quantity ; large size, reaching 50 to 60 inches diameter, and of a soundness unsurpassed anywhere, the quantity is inestim- able, roughly, I put it at 7,000,000 logs of 12J ft x 24 inch average. Bouleau or Canoe Birch. — Is also met in great quantity all over the limits, of a large average size, long and nota- bly sound, 1 put the total quantity at about 5,000,000 logs 12| ft and 15 inch average. White and Red Birch. — This description of timber is not found in great quantity, of a size to square down to 14 inch, it is, however, of excellent quality and sound. I have put the total quantity on the limits, at say 600,000 logs 12| ft X 15 inch average. Balm of Oilead or Balsam Poplar. — Is found growing along a strip of varying width or depth on both banks of the main river and all its tributary water courses, it is of — 4 — large average size, sound fine quality, and I have placed the total quantity at 200,000 logs 12^ ft + 18 inch average. Tamarac. — But little of this sort of timber is found, and only on the 1st Eaat branch or fork, for a short distance on both banks, did I meet it of a size or in quantity to merit notice. It is of good quality and sound. I have put the total quantity at 1,700 pieces, of 25 feet average lenght and will ilat to 9 inch face. ^.s7t.— This wood I found only on the slopes of the moun- tain to the south and east of the great hend, is excellent in quality, and sound and large average size. I have put the quantity at 1000, to 1200 logs 12J ft + 12 in average. C/jpress or grey pine.— Youiid along main river to the east, and between the Duval and Hall Rivers, 1,000 logs 12| ft X 12 inch average. Maple. — Thin timber is found in pretty fair quantity and size to the east of the head of Hornsinger's brook, on the higher grounds and also near the head of Hall's river, is of very good quality. I will state that the Physical features of the country present no obstacles to the making and gettingout of timber, no where will the hauling be of great length, not to exceed four miles to put the logs on the main river or one of its drivable tributaries (and by the way the limits contain within their boundaries and control all the water cour- ses.) The character of the most part of the limits is mountainous, but CA'^ery where intersected by good valleys at short intervals, and more or less extensive lower lying lands which, denuded of their timber, would be simply — 6-- a rolling- or undulating country. GeneraUy the country is too rough, rocky and mountainous to ever be used for agricultural purposes ; but here and there, one meets with suitable sites for supply depots, where exist spaces of greater or less extent, with good soil upon which farms could be opened in connection with the lumbering operations. This is principally noticeable along the north and south of the great bend. And I think I may safely remark that, as far as my knowledge (which is somewhat extended) goes, there is nowhere in the Province of Quebec, anything to equal, much less surpass, the timber limits of the Grrand Bonaventure for richness and for the extraor- dinary fine facilities for working and consequent economy, in every detail. As a source of lumber supply the valley of the River Bonaventure in which lay your limits, excels anything I have seen in this province, north or south of the liiver and Gulf St. Lawrence. All lumbering operations could be carried on under the most advantageous conditions, the distances by land or water are small, indeed are insignificant, as compared to the remoteness of the forest in other parts of the Province, the length, the roughness, dangerous nature of the rivers and drives, the long hauling &c., for getting out logs, even in cases where woods of rather inferior quality is obtained. All these drawback are absent from operations on your limits, in fact all is reversed, and we have here the most favorable conditions, we need seek our timber only a very few miles from the seaboard. In connection with these limits are fine Mill sites, at or near the discharge of the Bonaventure into the inlet or Barachois, which latter — 6 — affords splendid and safe holding (rrounds and ponds for hundreds of thousands of logs, with deep water lot for wharf &c. I will now speak of the M^ain river and it>: drivahle Iribv taries. I cannot possibly express myself too strongly as regards the unequaled excellence and facilities offered by the main river Bonaventure throughout its entire length, for driving timber of any length ; it is impossible to ima- gine one better, a river of a uniform, strong, even a rapid current, all along its course Alternating short reaches of rapid or broken water with longer intervals of smoo- ther water where, however, there is always a current of five to seven miles, good depth of water even at the season of lowest stage, (and, I imagine, that in ordinari/ seasons, it could with care be driven all summer long.) The banks are everywhere of good height, the water of crystal clearness, running over a strong or ro«.'k bottom, is very hard owing to the calcareous nature of the stone and rock, all being coated with this deposit or lined and im- pregnated with it. Leaving the Barachois or inlet at the Bale and following (in canoe as I did) its course up north for near fifty (50) miles, one encounters not a single impe- diment, absolutely no clearing or repairs required, conse- quently no expense. There is not, in my opinion, (and in this I am sustained by my assistant, an old experienced and practical man, a voyageur and lumberman in all capa- cities for over 30 years) anywhere in this province, flowing into the River or Grulf of St. Lawrence from the north or south, a river that can be compared to the Bonaventure, over its whole course, which at its mouth, offers su- i t -•7 — perior i'acililies for safe holding of many hundred thousands logs &<•., line sites for Mill &c'., deep water lot, &c., otler- inii- veri/ superior advantages for the shipi)ing of sawed lumber to foreign countries or to the sea-board cities of the United Stat«'s. It lies several hundred miles, nearer to all these ports than the City of Quebec, and shipping can be continued perhaps six or eight weeks later in the season than at Quebec. These limits are on the Graspe Peninsula in the county of Bonaventure, Province of Quebec, the mouth of the river is only 10 or 12 miles to the west of New Carlisle, the county seat, and Pasbebiac a great fishing station and port and practically an open port in winter, on the Bale des Chaleuis. There will, also very soon be comi)leted a line of liailway running along the coast and connecting with the Intercolonial Railway and will pass nearby the Mill sites, thus giving coramuiication inland. Now. touching the driimble tributaries, I will begin with the Hal I river which is the first above the Baie (about 5 miles) coming in to main river from the Eaat. Is a Ime little stream, would require some clearing, and close watch on the drive, which, however, would be ahort, not excee- ding 8 or 10 miles. About five or six miles above the Hall River, the Duval filter discharges also from East, it is also a drivable stream, it needs clearing of jams of drieft wood, and attention to drive, which would possibly be 10 miles, at the most, as with short hauling, this driving distance would be reduced considerably. — 8 — At about 2J miles further up, we come to Deep Creek running also from the East, Is drivable but needs clearing of old jams, it has two branches, the upper part is cleaner than near its discharge in the main river. About seven (7) miles above, we reach the mouth of the Ist West fork or branch. This is a good little stream, but obstructed by the work of the beaver, about ^ or | of a mile above its mouth. It needs clearing and close watch on the short drive of 6 or 8 miles. At the other extremity of the Great Bend, some 5 miles, the first East branch comes in. It is a fine little stream wider, clearer than the 1st West branch, however being somewhat flatter, and with battures putting out from t'le shores, it would require good attention during the short drive of about 8 miles. About ten (10) or twelve (12) miles above 1st East fork we have the 2nd or principal rvest branch. This stream is in all respects equal to the main river below the confluence, its current and volume dominate the stream called the main river, which latter above the meeting is very much con- tracted, and rougher, but I believe is longer and is consi- dered the principal stream and so marked on plans. I give further on, a statement of the quantities of stand- ing timber (each variety), in loii;s, their dimensions, turn out in feet Board measure, per log, total feet B. M. average selling price per 1000 ft. B. M. and total value of the sawed produce, also the average turn out from Spruce logs in actual experience, per 1000 feet Board measure, 307,., 1st quality, which latter is a low estimate, for this Spruce will probably — 9 — give 33^ °/o first quality. The quantities are based r«ce itself at a yearly cut of 200,000 logs will furnish timber for 25 years, as the smaller trees increase quite rapidly in girth, say ^ to f inch per annum. All ope- rations could be carri' d on under the most advantageous con- ditions that it is possible to imagine. Many lumbering firms in this province and elsewhere, spend immense sums in transporting all supplies, provisions ^cc, for their .shanties and this through regions difficult of access, sometimes foi- hundreds of miles, and drive rivers and streams (also hun- dreds of miles) every r "■ of which need untiring watch, and months of uncertai ugerou.s work for large gangs of men, besides all the a ^)airs of works such as dams, slides &c., required to keep the worse parts of these streams drivable, all these troubles and sources of expense are conspicuously absent from lumbering operations in the forests and streams of the Irrand Bonaventun^ River. I will now state the result of my observations on an examination of the Islands and IJattures or shoals lying at or near the mouth or discharge of the River Bonaventure into the Inlet or Barachois (as it is called) on the Baie des Chaleurs, also of the Easferl// part of this Bara- chois, In company with my assistant Timotlu' Goudrenvlf who is eminently a practical man, versed in all the details of ('oustruction of the works required by the nature of 4 — 11 — , . the shores, the proposed mill site, &c., &(., such as Dams, Booms, Piers, Wharves as well as the necessary buildings. I made a close and careful examination of all the country in the immediate vecinity and bordering the River and Inlet, and vrill now give our opinion as to the nature and approximate extent of the works required, in case the Saw mill and other buildings should be erected on the point or spit separating the Inlet or Barachois from the waters of the Bale des Chaleurs. There w^ould be two methods by which the timber, logs &c , could be held and brought to the mills for sawing and shipment. First/ii/. — By holding the logs &c. in booms above the Bridge forming the river crossing of the Highway or main road over the Boiiaventure not far above its mouth, at what is <'alled th(' Kigolette a la Truite, but which is really the extreme Easf Channel of the Bivei lormed by the islands (five in number) and would afford a pond or holding ground of large caparity, and still watei\ while the main or extreme WeM Channel has too strong a current, no boom could be placed there to hold against the pressure of a large quantity of logs The head of the rigolette or East channel is at present partially closed by a jam formed by drift wood, betwen the head of the upper island and the main east shonv this could be removed without difficulty or expense, and a good main boom firmly anchored ai or to the pier built on thi' head of this ui>permost island, and follow- ing the drift or course of the current, stretch this boom over to a point on the main iPest shore, as near as I could judge, having no means at hand lor measurement, this distance would be 1200 to 1500 feet more or less, low piers project- — 12 — ing above high water (the tide running in here) would be required at say, each 300 or 400 feet of this distance as sup- port to the booms. I noticed that the current flows natu- rally right into the rigolette, so there would be the least possible strain and pressure on the boom when the logs were coming down, no matter how large a number. A second or retaining boom across the lower end of the rigolette and near and above the eaiit span of the Highway Bridge, would hold the logs in this basin or pond, whence they could be sent at each Tide, in pocket booms, down to the Mill ponds. Secondly : By booming above this rigolette or channel, as I have described, and placing no lower retaining boom, in this way run the logs direct into a large pond formed by darn- ing rtnuss the East Barachoi.s from the lower end of a bank or ledge, (extending out from the lover islands) to a point selected on the spit or neck of gravel separating the waters of the Baie des Chaleurs from those of the Barachois, this Dam would make an angle (obtuse) at the lowest end of the bank, the portion built on or along this bank would be a foot or two less high, thus a sufficient depth of water (say 3 or 4 ieet) would always be had inside to float the timber logs, &('., a good boom being attached all along the top of the Dams so that when the water rose to run over the Dams the booms would lloat and prevent anything going over. The upper end of both boom and dams would be secured at the lower end of the rigoletti^ The total length of these dams and booms (each) will be approximately 1000 to 1800 feet. All the timber for the construction of these Piers, Dams, Booms. &c., can be had from the lands lying above on the Kiver dose to the l)ankH, and but a/m' miln from the works, and can be brought by water direct to the ground. — 18 — \ In concluding this report I would call your attention to the annexed table or synopsis of the approximate quantity of each variety of wood found on these limits, at a low estimate, with further information as to average turn out from spruce logs in actual experience per 1,000 ft B. M. 30"^ first quality and probable cost, counting' all expenses, of manufacture &c., of 200,000 Spruce logs and net profits resulting from sale of produce. Accompanying this report will be found a plan shewing the extent and boundaries of the Timber Limits lying along both banks of the Bonaventure river, in connection with the Barachois or Inlet through which the river discharges into the Bay or Ocean. Also a separate plan, on a larger scale, of the Barachois, Beach lot. Deep water lot, &c. And finally a map exhibiting the Ocean lines of communication with England and the coast-wise cities of the United States, as far south as New- York. Respectfully submitted, J. Benson Williams, C. E. Explorer in charge. TlMOTHl^ GrOUDREAULT, Assistant Explorer and expert. To L. A. EoBiTAiLLE, Esq. Quebec, P. 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