Nine Lies of B.G. Davies

The Line in the Sand (Part 3)

Illustration of George Gray: "A Canadian Athlete", Harper's Young People Vol. XI. October 14, 1890 Harper and Brothers, New York. 

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SIR: We beg to submit the following report of our work, during the season of 1900, in connection with Exploration Party No. 3, sent out under your instructions, in charge of Mr. Geo. R. Gray.

OUTLINE OF WORK.

The party left Sudbury and proceeded via Wahnapitae and Metagam-asing Lakes to Dewdney Lake. Commencing where the north boundary of the Township of Mackelcan crosses Dewdney Lake, a micrometer, log and compass survey was carried forward through Dewdney, Ohinicoochichi, Saw Horse, Adelaide, Button, Dougherty, Frederick and Stoufier Lakes, to the Sturgeon River. The survey was then carried up the river to where Stull's branch comes in from the north-east. The route through to Shusawagaming or Smoothwater Lake, via this branch and its chain of lakes, was then explored; and the survey carried through, connecting at Shusawagaming Lake with Sinclair's traverse of the Montreal River.

The party then proceeded down the east branch of the Montreal River to its con fluence with the west or main branch, and after calling at Fort Matachewan, turned and travelled down the main Montreal River to Bay Lake, returning to Mattawapika Lake, the outlet of Lady Evelyn Lake. After exploring the vicinity of Mattawapika and Lady Evelyn Lakes, the Lady Evelyn River route was traced through to Apex Lake just south of Shusawagaming Lake on the route to the Sturgeon River. A compass and canoe traverse of this route was made on the return trip to Lady Evelyn Lake.

The party then proceeded via Non-wakaming or Diamond Lake to Lake Temagami. From this lake as a centre, the territory around White Bear, Net, Cedar, Rabbit, Cross and Gull Lakes was examined. Obabika Lake was next visited, with Wakemika and Round Lakes and the Obabika River. From the month of the Obabika River to Sturgeon River was followed down to the portage route leading westward to Maskinonge Lake. Via this route the party passed through to Metagamasing and Wahnapitae Lakes, and down the Wahnapitae River to Wahnapitae Station on the Canadian Pacific Railway.

DEMOREST and SILVESTER, Ontario Land Surveyors on Exploration Survey Party No. 3. To the Honourable E. J. DAVIS, Commissioner of Crown Lands, Toronto, Ontario. 1901

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On the twelfth of June, 1900, we set out from the town of Sudbury. Our gear, provisions and support crew had arrived on schedule and were assembled for us at the train station by the local government agent. From the CPR station we travelled by stage north to Wahnapitae Lake, a long and rough trail more severe than any of the tote roads I was familiar with in the Ottawa Valley. Here, the swamps were longer and more frequent and the high ground was bare of soil; the roadway always canted to one side or another, and on two occasions, our cart lurched to the side and toppled, its contents spilling down the hill. The very retrieval raised questions as to whether the vast amount of our kit was necessary, how we would fit all the gear into our five canoes, and if my stipend of thirty-five dollars per month was equitable to the physical work the expedition would entail.

We did, somehow, manage not only to arrive at the lake at the planned hour, but were successful in packing all the gear into our canoes. We must have appeared to be a strange lot to the loggers who were repairing the quay as we struggled to stuffed the boats with packs and poles. The photography equipment, the care of which I was charged, was most difficult to pack, owing to the size of the tripod. Gray directed every aspect of the vessel loading and had previously determined who would be responsible for each piece of survey and climbing implements. The scientific equipment was divided among the four surveyors' canoes so, in the unlikely event of a capsize, not all would be lost; the expedition would still be able to fulfill its mandate. Jimmy's canoe, which was to be paddled by the Indian in the solo fashion, carried the necessities for the camp and most of the provisions.