Log Tong Question - Finished w/ Pictures

[Cypressstump]

....."at risk of hijacking this thread how did you guys get involved in the diving/salvaging of logs? "



Growing up where I have, there have always been logging relics, tales, old mill sites, the stump reminents of giant ancient trees, the history of the logging in the swamps which had logging railroads built thru the swamps, etc. all this intrigued me to great extents. My great grandfather, Levi Garrison, built a home out of all cypress, from singles to sills. It stood for many a year , weathered many a storm until left empty after my great grandparents passed away. As old homes do when not lived in, they too pass on. My uncles used to pull a few sinkers for building needs. Early on, to see a log go from a tree trunk to board, to a building was pretty neat to me in a kids perspective. I am modeling a home somewhat like the old house Grandpaw Levi had.
When I pulled my first sinker log and had it sawn into 4/4 boards, I was hooked. They used to be far easier to locate, but now days the fad has caught on due to the TV shows, they are harder to locate and claim. But the deep ones separate most seekers from the hard core ones.
Just the history of the swamp Cypress logging down here is an amazing feat within itself.

So to answer your question Mikeb1079,  overall exposure to the old logging history and the allure of what resides inside them old sinker logs is what got me hooked. Once when asked why I like to do this for fun, my reply was that I have an obsession coupled with an addiction of being a sinker cypress junkie. And I only scratch the surface of what some of the really hard core guys that rely on the sinkers for a living around here.  I really only tinker with it. A part time junkie I reckon.... ;D




Some colorful boards

[Migal]

 :D Boy they sure could have used one of those new tele handlers!  8) nice pics

[fishpharmer]

Cypressstump, thanks for sharing the fascinating old pictures.  Having done a little recovery diving myself, along with the beautiful product, I can understand the attraction of taking on such an adventure.

And those log tongs, WOW!  I don't see why they won't do the job. Well done.

[thecfarm]

Cypessstump,that was a nice post about yourself. Good job.
That last picture,looks like the logs are on a track,like a railroad?? Being pulled by a ??

[Magicman]

Congrats Cypressstump on your progress.

This preparation and tong building has been a fascinating trip, so now we all wait for the journey.  Hopefully the permits will soon be approved and the salvage operation can begin.   

[Cypressstump]

Thanks guys,

thecfarm, those rails were built all throughout the swamps down here, that picture is one nearer the millsite, which is higher and drier. They used standard guage steamers built from 1890's and up. this picture is of a steam locomotive built in 1914, and was used locally down here..... I wuz gonna spin a tale about Alligator power,, but, nawh.. :



These old boys were paid up to 1.50$ per 10 hour day.

[markd]

I was thinking the same thing but have you ever tried to swing a big hammer under water?

[mikeb1079]

thanks for the informative post cypress.  i love those old pics.  shows you how creative and hardworking them old boys (and gals) were.  cheers!