DCHP-2

head of the line DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

• — North

  the point on the river at the end of stretch where boats or canoes were pulled by tracking lines; specifically, such a point on the Mackenzie River.

  See also: line ((n.)) (def. 1b)  tracking line  

  • 1808  (1897)  At eleven we reached the head of the line where we put ashore to gum and repair our canoes.
  • 1940  After Providence we travelled eighty-nine miles downstream to the "head of the line" . . . this part of the river is called "line" because, in the days before steamers, the scow, boats and canoes had to be tracked upstream with tow-lines.
  • 1943  At the Head of the Line, eight miles above Simpson, we camped.