\(/ooden Rafts

The Bell Lumber Company, Bell, California, discontinued the retail lumber business for the duration in the fall of 1942, and turned over the plant to the exclusive building of wooden rafts for the U. S. Maritime Commission for use on Merchant Marine vessels.

The first contract was in September, 1942, lor Balsa floats, and they are still making some of these floats. A 'contract for the wooden rafts was received in December, 1942. They made 1100 of this model, but it was discontinued in April, 1944, when they were awarded a contract for the new-model raft, which they are now making.

common and better, S4S, American Lumber Standards, are used in the construction. All members are cut to pattern, painted a dark gray before they are prefabricated, and are put together with galvanized bolts, screws and rods. No nails are used.

The water-tight containers in each raft carry 41 items of equipment, among which are the following: 40 cans of provisions, 120 cans of water, Bible, log book with indelible pencil, blankets, chart container, distress signals for both day and night, drinking cups, first aid kit, fishing kit, flashlight with extra bulbs and batteries, hatchet with

1000 pounds oI equipment,

This new model is known as the well-deck 20 person type raft. It is 16 feet long, from point to point, 7-1/3 f.eet wide, and 45 inches high. There is neither a top nor bottom to the raft, whichever side comes up after it hits the water is used. Each one has four compartments which carry water-tight containers in which are stowed food, water and other equipment. The raft carries twenty steel tanks, each with a capacity of eight cubic feet of air space, which keeps the raft buoyant. Five rafts are installed on a vessel, and each raft carries 2O men and 1000 pounds of equipment.

2x6, 2x8, 2xI0,2xI2, 4x4, and 4x6, No. 1 Douglas fir,

Rcrlt equipped with oqrs, ccnvcs enclosure <rnd scril. lanyard, one gallon illuminaiing oil, lantern, life preservers, matches, main sail, signalling mirrors, signal flag, etc.

Attached to the outside of the raft are a boathook, electric rvaterlight with batteries, mast with rigging, oars (10 feet), oar (I2 feet), rowlocks on chains attached to oars, and canopy rods (11 f.eet,7l inches long).

The company operates a second plant at Wilmington, California, and there is another one operating under license at Concord, N. H.

Jack Shacher is the owner of the Bell Lumber Company. When the war is over, Jack says, "We will be back in the retail lumber business again." He is doing a fine job for the war effort.