DCHP-1 Online

boom ((1)) ((n.)) 1 † Lumbering

• 1 n. a barrier of logs or other timbers linked by chains and serving to restrain or enclose floating logs, pulpwood, etc.

  See also: log-boom  

  • 1828  The reports from the Coves on the St. Lawrence this morning were distressing, booms broke and timber of an immense value swept adrift. . . .
  • 1831  At the head, the lumberers have placed a permanent boom, about three quarters of a mile, and secured midway by two anchors.
  • 1883  A short distance above the [chute] a strong "boom" is laid across the river in order to keep back the timber, and "knowing hands" are stationed here to let it out gradually, a few sticks at a time. . . .
  • 1958  . . . prancing the boom's full length, [he] leaped across water to the back of a recalcitrant log to dance it into place.

• 2 n. a large enclosure formed by logs chained together and used for holding floating logs, pulpwood, etc. until ready for transporting to a mill.

  See also: holding boom  

  • 1805  All loose Lumber that may drift upon the said Beach will be taken care of and put within the Boom and delivered to the respective owners on paymenting for trouble and expense. . . .
  • 1846  Timber vessels receiving their cargoes, from any of the coves above the Town, will endeavour to secure a loading berth, as near as possible to the Boom from which they receive their supplies.
  • 1904  Not for nothing was it, however, that the woodsman had learned to "run the logs" in many a tangled boom and racing "drive."
  • 1964  In the B.C. coastal waters . . . little "log broncs" herd strays back into the booms. . . .

• 3a n. a raft of logs or square timber fastened together for transporting by water.

  • 1860  The booms were broken up and timber cast far up on the beaches, or driven with clipper speed up the Nipisiguit.
  • 1952  When the logs are in place, the truck starts off for the booming ground on a lake, a river, or the sea coast where the load is dumped into the water in readiness to be made up into a boom.
  • 1955  So that the logs will not float past the mill they are often made into booms. These are made by bringing many logs tightly together. They are held closely packed by outer boom-sticks.

• 3b n. a collection of logs or pulpwood gathered to form a tow, for transporting by water.

  See also: bag boom  barrel boom  bundle boom  flat boom  raft ((n.)) (def. 1)  tow  

  • 1958  With the drive almost completely underway . . . tug boat engines [will] tow booms of pulpwood to the Exploits Dam. . . .