The mill pond near the mouth of Big River was the final destination for the large rafts of logs floated downstream from the Boom to the Mendocino Mill. Central to moving these rafts was the “Maru,” a flat-bottomed scow launched in 1902 and powered by a steam-driven paddle wheel. Before its arrival, men guided the rafts by standing on top of the logs with long poles, a task requiring balance, strength, and courage. Rowboats were later introduced, giving workers a safer way to steer the rafts downriver.
Big River Mill Pond. Photograph looking eastward up Big River near the sawmill, showing the mill pond. The image appears to have been taken from the haul road on the north bank. Kelley House Collection.
The Maru changed everything. Unlike oxen dragging logs over land, it did not tow the rafts but instead held steady tension on a connecting rope, keeping them within the river channel and guiding them safely toward the mill. Every trip to the mill pond had to be made on an outgoing tide, and many were made at night. Crews often had no light except the reflection of the moon on the water. Sometimes they worked in total darkness, relying on instinct and experience to navigate safely through the river’s twists and currents.
As the Maru approached the mill pond, the raft was unhooked and allowed to drift forward under its own momentum and the pull of the tide. It passed through a swing gate, which opened for logs coming down the river when the tide was going out, and closed when the tide reversed. This clever system trapped the timber in the pond until the mill was ready for it, ensuring a steady supply while preventing valuable logs from escaping back into the river or out to sea.
When its work was finished, the Maru tied up at its dock near the mill. The crew released the boiler’s pressure, let the fire die down, and set about replenishing the wood supply and adding water to the steam boiler and tank to prepare for the next run. While the logs floated in the pond waiting their turn at the saws, the Maru was rarely still. Trip after trip, it kept the timber moving, a small but vital link in the operation that powered Mendocino’s lumber industry.
Celebrate Oktoberfest with a live homebrewing demo and tastings from Foggy Coast Brewers and North Coast Brewing Company. Watch brewers turn grain into your favorite craft beer, pick up expert tips, and savor beer while taking in the stunning Mendocino Bay view from the Kelley House Museum lawn. Grab your ticket and raise a glass to the art of homebrewing! Saturday, September 13, 12 PM – 4 PM