1

The S.S. Cardinia silhouetted against the beautiful West Coast sky is shown docked at the mill wharf in Powell River, circa 1917. This formerly German ship was captured in Newcastle and was the only sailing ship ever to load paper at Powell River.

2

Large sailing ship
Circa 1910
Powell River, British Columbia, Canada

Credits:
P08093

3

Built as the Barque Olinda at Port Glasgow in 1903, the ship was seized at the start of World War 1. Later, as a freight carrier, she was on route from Levuka, Fiji to Apia when she went aground of a reef on the 22nd of September 1921 and later sank in heavy seas. At the time she was carrying a cargo of 1420 tons of copra.

The ShipsList.com

4

S.S. Cardinia
Circa 1917
Powell River, British Columbia, Canada

Credits:
P07693

5

On its way to a remote destination, a roll of paper often faced a variety of hazards. Sometimes Powell River newsprint travelled by rail; sometimes by boat; sometimes tractors--even horse carriages were used; occasionally it travelled on river steamers, then to rail and back to river boat again before arriving at its final harbor. Every known risk along the way was studied and provided for. As a writer for the Digester put it: However excellent the quality of the newsprint, it is of little value if received in a damaged and unsatisfactory condition by the publisher.

The Powell River Mill Story

6

Wooden barrel packaged rolls
1928
Powell River, British Columbia, Canada

Credits:
P00126

7

The shipping docks at Powell River were often busy with numerous ships coming and going at the same time. This scene from August 28, 1935 may be representative of the many busy days on the waterfront.

8

Freighters docked
28 August 1935
Powell River, British Columbia, Canada

Credits:
P12037

9

Deep sea ships are a little different in procedure. Our Jeeps are used to bring the rolls to the ship's side, where they are slung, then picked up by the ship's winch and lowered into the hold.

Men and Paper
Vol. 1 No. 43
March 8, 1947

10

Loading paper
Circa 1930
Powell River, British Columbia, Canada

Credits:
P01217

11

An experienced gang of our own men then "stow" the rolls securely in place.

Men and Paper
Vol. 1 No. 43
March 8, 1947

12

Hawaiian Craftsman loading paper
August 1957
Powell River, British Columbia, Canada

Credits:
PC-SH30
R.F. Metcalf, photographer

13

Powell River is the third largest shipping port in B.C. In tonnage shipped, we rank next to Vancouver and New Westminster. Few people realize this or know about the local shipping problems. The mills are now producing 750 tons of newsprint and 130 tons of pulp daily. Added Sunday production with a limited storage places a strain on our shipping facilities.

Harry Slade,
Men and Paper
Vol. 1, No. 22
October 12, 1946

14

Freighters loading paper.
Circa 1940
Powell River, British Columbia, Canada

Credits:
P01226