The spatial patterns of log cutting in Bay d'Espoir, 1895-1922

Cokes, Edward Gordon (1973) The spatial patterns of log cutting in Bay d'Espoir, 1895-1922. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

There are few studies by geographers or others on the spatial patterns of log cutting and, as far as is known, the topic has not been examined at a micro-level. This thesis attempts to analyze the spatial behaviour of a small group of loggers operating in the forests around Head Bay d'Espoir, southern Newfoundland, between 1895 and 1922, This inner portion of the bay was settled after 1850 mainly from coastal settlements immediately to the south. Nine small settlements, containing about 550 persons by 1890, were established around the inner bay. A multiple resource economy based on logging, farming, hunting, trapping, and fishing evolved. Commercial logging became significant after 1895, with the introduction of the first local sawmill. Prior to this, the technology of logging comprised essentially the manually operated axe and sled and this technology persisted until 1903, by which time hauling distances extended one half mile inland from most waterways. It was no longer economically feasible to haul logs manually, so animal draft was introduced. -- The hypothesis tested in this dissertation was that this technological change resulted in a change from a basically linear pattern of cutting along waterways to an inland, lateral pattern of expansion. This change in technology also resulted by 1922 in quadrupling the area exploited in 1905, despite increased physiographic, economic, cultural and political impediments. -- The thesis is arranged chronologically, with chapters on the influx of settlers and pre-sawmill cutting, the sawmill era, technological innovation and the changing spatial patterns of cutting. There is an introductory chapter on methodology and one on the ecology of the forest. The basic hypothesis was validated, and the reasons for the changing spatial patterns are discussed in detail in the conclusions.

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