[TheForge] Re: Smiths in AK, was Square headed screws

Mon May 20 00:43:00 2002

Morning Donn:

It's not surprising nobody knows anything about smithing, I've stopped by a
few museums in southeast AK. and rearranged the smithing display (if any)
and catalogued the tools. It's amazing how many historical "experts" will
set up a maniquin at an anvil holding a set hammer upside down, just like
hollywood. I guess it looks cool and since NOBODY knows any different, why
not. EH? Goldrush, Logging, fishing and big fires is about all anybody knows
anything about. Thing is most of the staff at the small town museums are
volunteers so I cut them some slack and try to help out when I can.

I used to do soils exploration for the Alaska DOT, specifically bridges and
foundations. Shallow holes, most around 100' but in places where highway
engineers thought a bridge, etc. should go, judging from an aerial
photograph. <grin>

Jerry
------------------------
If it ain't forged
it ain't real.
Wrought iron is.
The FrostWorks

----- Original Message -----
From: "D.E. Barnes" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, May 18, 2002 2:32 AM
Subject: Re: [TheForge] Re: Smiths in AK, was Square headed screws

> Jerry,
>
> I wouldn't mind living in Ketchikan, but no, I live in Texas. I was in
> Ketchikan for a visit and happened upon the forge tools in the Salvation
> Army thrift store. The lady running the place told me they were donated by
> locals. Stuff that heavy must have been there for a purpose and I had
hoped
> to find out some history. No luck. Everybody I talked to agreed that there
> must have been a smith or smiths working in the area in the past, but
nobody
> had any information. Even the two local historical societies were of no
> help. The focus was on the gold rush and smithing was of little interest
to
> them. Shame, isn't it. Wonder who they think forged all those repair parts
> and shod all those horses?
>
> What kind of drilling is it that you do? I've worked offshore drilling for
> years now. Mostly Gulf of Mexico, south and Central America.
>
> Regards,
> Donn
>