At each timber slide the raft had to be dismantled into cribs. George Grant told about his trip down the slide at Calumet Falls in these words: "We embark on board a crib above the slide-gates at the falls of the Calumet. The raftsmen bid us take firm hold of one of the strong poles which are driven between the lower timbers of the crib. Above the slide the waters of the Ottawa are still and deep; at the left side, through the intervening woods, we can hear the roar of the cataract. The slide-gates are thrown open; the water surges over the smooth, inclined channel; our crib, carefully steered through the gateway, slowly moves its forward end over the entrance; it advances, sways for a moment, then, with a sudden plunge and splash of water, rushes faster and faster between the narrow walls. The reflow of the torrent streams over the crib from the front; jets of water spurt up everywhere between the timbers under our feet; then dipping heavily as it leaves the slide, our crib is in the calm water beneath, the glorious scenery of the cataract full in view". Running the slide took considerable time and there was always a race to obtain the best prices at Quebec. Low or high water levels also created problems for running the timber slides. Low water, at times, meant dragging the sticks through individually.
Some men caught "Calumet fever", the fear of running the slide. For others, conquering the slide was a personal triumph.
Courtesy: John Ross Robertson Collection, Metropolitan Toronto Library Board
