River Driver Crews Converging on a Big Log Jam

Boat crews converge on a big log jam further downstream on the Montreal River which flows into Lake Superior.

The Pointer Boat
Ontario Department of Lands and Forests
1963

River Drivers Breaking up Log Jam from Their Pointer Boat

Two river drivers use their pointer to break up a log jam on the Montreal River which flows into Lake Superior north of Sault Ste. Marie Ontario.

The Pointer Boat
Ontario Department of Lands and Forests
1963

Mississauga River Drivers

Mississauga river drivers return hung-up logs to the main stream.


The Pointer Boat
Ontario Department of Lands and Forests
1963

Pointer Leaping into Rapids

This pointer leaps into the swift and dangerous action at Pig Pen Chutes on the Mississauga River between Blind River and Elliott Lake Ontario.


The Pointer Boat
Ontario Department of Lands and Forests
1963

Pointer Boat Portage

River men roller a pointer around dangerous rapids. Boat crews co-operate at portages because a pointer, although responsive in the water, weighs half a ton or more on land.

The Pointer Boat
Ontario Department of Lands and Forests
1963

Legacy of the Cockburns - Pointer Boat Racing

Back in the 80's until the mid 90's the friendly rivalry between towns along the Ottawa gave rise to "Pointerboat Races" that were held at various town regattas. Boats were entered from Arnprior, Renfrew, McNab Twshp, Calabogie, Gilles Lumber in Arnprior, Fort Coulonge and Pembroke

This photo was taken at Arnprior in 1983. Some of the boats were the real thing
while others were replicas built to Pointer boat specs. In this photo the boats are being towed out to the starting line by an ICO Tug. Then the race was on to the finish line which may have varied from one mile to four miles away.

Photo courtesy of John Wright

Legacy of the Cockburns - Pointer Boat Racing

Back in the 80's the friendly rivelry between towns along the Ottawa gave rise to "Pointerboat Races" that were held at various town regattas.

This photo was taken at Arnprior in 1983. Some of the boats were the real thing
while others were replicas built to Pointer boat specs. The boats were towed out to the starting line by an ICO Tug that day and then the race was on to the finish line which may have been at least a mile away.

Photos courtesy of John Wright