Designed and built by three generations of the local Cockburn family, the pointer boat was instrumental in the settlement of Pembroke and the development of Canada. It was the workhorse of Canadian rivers for over a century. Locally th pointers were contracted by lumber companies to clear or sweep grounded logs from shallow rapids, shoals and beaches along the Ottawa river.
The Cockburn pointer, painted a trademark brick red colour, had tow high pointed ends from which it derived its name. Each boat was powered by six to eight men rowing in unison using 3 metre long oars. Eventually the Cockburn family built a dozen different types of pointers, the largest being 12 metres long and weighing one ton. Each was stable, tough, graceful, easy to handle, and because of its symetrical design it could reverse direction without being turned around. Legend has it that because of its ability to navigate in only 2 cm of water the Cockburn pointer boat could "float on heavy dew."
The Cockburn pointer, painted a trademark brick red colour, had tow high pointed ends from which it derived its name. Each boat was powered by six to eight men rowing in unison using 3 metre long oars. Eventually the Cockburn family built a dozen different types of pointers, the largest being 12 metres long and weighing one ton. Each was stable, tough, graceful, easy to handle, and because of its symetrical design it could reverse direction without being turned around. Legend has it that because of its ability to navigate in only 2 cm of water the Cockburn pointer boat could "float on heavy dew."
Pictures taken by Montaigne of Pembroke
Arnold Gillies Muirhead collection
Sept 6, 1955
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