Читать книгу Alligators of the North - Harry Barrett - Страница 8

Acknowledgements

I must admit that when Dave Lemkay, of the Canadian Forestry Association and John de Witt, chairman of the Forest Capital of Canada Committee, approached me in mid September 2008, about expanding on the draft manuscript that told the story of the West & Peachey Alligator Warping Tugs by the late Clarence F. Coons, I agreed to do so with considerable trepidation.

To complete and enhance his amazingly detailed research with its complement of remarkable photographs required that I not only maintain his high standards, but do so in a manner that would have been pleasing to him and appreciated by his fellow professional foresters. Finally, it must appeal to the general reader as an interesting and informative addition to our understanding of our Canadian heritage. I hope our combined effort achieves that purpose.

I am indebted to Scott Gillies, curator, and the archives volunteers of the Eva Brook Donly Museum, as well as Ian Bell, curator of the Port Dover Harbour Museum, for their cheerful assistance in finding pictures and material that I requested of them.

The writings and stories remembered from the late Colonel Douglas Stalker and the late Bruce Pearce, both friends and one-time presidents of the Norfolk Historical Society, have made significant contributions to the story. Barbara Wright, granddaughter of James Peachey, has been most helpful with stories and pictures. James Christison, Ron, and Fred Judd, Albert Potts, and others have added anecdotes regarding the restoration of the Alligator tug, the W.D. Stalker.

I wish also to acknowledge the significant help from my son, Toby Barrett, MPP, and his efficient Simcoe office staff in speedily finding needed information from the Library and Ministries in Queen’s Park for me. With time being of the essence they were lifesavers. Also, thank you to Jane Gibson and to Shannon Whibbs for all their editorial guidance and to Barry Penhale for his ongoing support and belief in this project. Finally to John de Witt, my sincere thanks for your keen interest and e-mailing abilities in keeping those involved in this effort informed and aware of problems and needs for action as they arose.

Harry B. Barrett

Port Dover, Ontario

I would like to extend my personal thanks to all those who assisted by providing information and photographs for this monograph. I would specifically like to thank the staff of the Public Archives of Canada and the Ontario Archives as well as all other museum staff who were so helpful.

I am very grateful for the encouragement and assistance of John Corby, curator of Industrial Technology at the Museum of Science and Technology in Ottawa, whose earlier studies and writings were most helpful. Also to John Quinsey of Mississauga, Ontario, great-grandson of John Ceburn West, whose biography of him was most useful. The memories of Colonel Douglas Stalker of Simcoe, West’s grandson, were much appreciated and very informative. As a boy growing up around the factory he witnessed the events relating to the Alligators unfold before his eyes. I would also like to thank all other members of the West and Peachey families who assisted me with my research.

Finally, I would like to thank the Canadian Forestry Association and the contributing forest industries which supported the publication of this book.

Clarence F. Coons, 1983

Kemptville, Ontario (written 1983)