Logging the Franklin River in 1959 and the Machinery That Shaped Vancouver Island’s Forests

[MikePhua]

The Franklin River and Its Place in Canadian Logging History
Nestled in the rugged terrain of Vancouver Island, the Franklin River watershed was once home to one of the most active logging operations in British Columbia. By the late 1950s, the region had become a focal point for industrial-scale timber harvesting, driven by postwar demand and the expansion of Canadian Pacific forestry infrastructure. The Franklin River camp, operated by MacMillan Bloedel, was a hub of innovation and labor, where steam donkeys gave way to diesel-powered yarders and crawler tractors.
The 1959 film documenting operations in the Franklin River valley offers a rare glimpse into this transitional era—when mechanization was accelerating, but the culture of hand-felling and high-lead logging still dominated the forest floor.
Terminology Annotation

• High-Lead Logging: A cable logging method using elevated lines to lift and drag logs from the cutting area to a landing
  
• Steam Donkey: A steam-powered winch used in early logging to haul logs via cables
  
• Yarder: A machine equipped with winches and towers to move logs from the forest to a central location
  
• Skid Road: A path along which logs are dragged, often reinforced with greased timbers or gravel
  

Equipment in Use and the Shift to Diesel Power
By 1959, the Franklin River operation had begun integrating diesel-powered equipment into its fleet. Caterpillar D8 tractors, known for their torque and traction, were used to skid logs across uneven terrain. These machines replaced earlier steam-powered crawlers and allowed for more flexible deployment across logging blocks.
The film shows operators maneuvering massive yarders, likely built by Madill or Washington Iron Works, with towering spars and complex rigging systems. These machines were capable of lifting multi-ton logs from steep slopes, reducing the need for manual hauling and increasing daily production rates.
At the time, a typical yarder crew consisted of:

• Hooktender: Responsible for setting chokers and directing rigging
  
• Choker Setter: Attached cables to logs for yarding
  
• Engineer: Operated the winches and monitored cable tension
  
• Signalman: Used whistles or hand signals to coordinate movement
  

Life in the Logging Camp and Cultural Reflections
The Franklin River camp was more than a worksite—it was a community. Workers lived in bunkhouses, shared meals in cookhouses, and spent evenings in recreation halls. Many were young men from rural Canada, drawn by the promise of steady wages and adventure. The film captures candid moments of these workers—laughing, shouting, and posing for the camera—offering a human counterpoint to the mechanical roar of the forest.
One viewer noted the presence of a young man in a gray and pink shirt, hands on hips, yelling toward the lens. His stance and expression evoked memories of a future hooktender known for his precision and humor. Another recalled living in the area as a child between 1965 and 1967, and how the film stirred vivid memories of the camp’s rhythm and camaraderie.
Environmental Context and Logging Practices
Logging in the 1950s was intensive and often indiscriminate. Clearcutting was the norm, and reforestation efforts were minimal. The Franklin River valley, rich in Douglas fir, western red cedar, and hemlock, was stripped rapidly to feed mills in Port Alberni and beyond. Roads were punched through virgin forest, and rivers were used to float logs downstream.
Today, the legacy of these practices is visible in the patchwork regrowth and erosion scars across the region. However, the film serves as a historical artifact—documenting not only the machinery and methods but also the mindset of an era when resource extraction was synonymous with progress.
Preservation and Educational Value
Archival footage like the Franklin River film is invaluable for historians, forestry students, and equipment enthusiasts. It provides:

• Visual documentation of mid-century logging techniques
  
• Evidence of equipment evolution from steam to diesel
  
• Cultural insights into camp life and labor dynamics
  
• Reference material for restoration of vintage machinery
  

Forestry museums across Canada, including the BC Forest Discovery Centre in Duncan, have used similar footage to educate visitors about the province’s logging heritage. Some have even restored yarders and donkeys to working condition, offering live demonstrations during seasonal events.
Conclusion
The 1959 Franklin River film is more than a nostalgic reel—it’s a window into the machinery, men, and mindset that shaped Vancouver Island’s forests. Through the lens of diesel tractors, cable yarders, and bunkhouse banter, it captures a pivotal moment in Canadian logging history. For those who lived it, the film rekindles memories of grit and camaraderie. For those who study it, it offers lessons in engineering, ecology, and the enduring complexity of working in the woods.