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3. Pointer Boats
Pointer boats were used on the log drive on the Coulonge River. It derives its name from the fact that it is pointed at both ends, and therefore could be propelled easily from either direction. It is a long, narrow boat with a flat bottom that easily transported its weight in supplies and men.
John Cockburn, the craftsman of this design, as was his grandfather and father, moved his pointer boat business from Ottawa to Pembroke at the request of J.R. Booth (another area lumber baron) The design of the pointer which has not changed in over a century became known to many as “the Ottawa Valley Pointer”, to some as the “Pembroke pointer” and to the French Canadians as “the Bonne”. The surfaces of the pointer were treated with a tested preservative made from double boiled oil and jeweler's rouge. This red brick color became known as Cockburn's trademark.
The replica pointer boat in our display was provided courtesy of Mr. John Dunfield. This pointer was originally built for the Royal Canadian Legion of Arnprior and took part in the pointer boat races for a period of time. The boat is 36ft long, 5ft wide and weighs 1500lbs. It is built of white pine and spruce from the Ottawa Valley.
