Donkey puncher

For other uses, see Donkey punch (disambiguation).

A "donkey puncher" on the job in a gyppo logging operation in Tillamook County, Oregon. (October 1941)

A donkey puncher is the operator of a small steam donkey, a machine used in logging in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Description

Steam donkey on display at Disney California Adventure Park theme park

A donkey consists of a steam boiler and steam engine, connected to a winch mounted on a sled called a donkey sled. The donkeys were moved by simply dragging themselves with the winch line. They were used to move logs, by attaching lines to the logs and hauling them.

The donkey puncher was the machine operator and engineer. Use of the term gained currency in 1920. In later times the donkey puncher was too far away from the end of the line to know what to do, so whistle codes (steam whistles) were employed. The whistle operator was known as a whistle punk, who was placed between the men attaching the cables (choker setters), and the donkey puncher, so that he could see the choker setters. When the cables were attached, a series of whistle blows signaled the donkey to begin pulling and the choker setters to stay out of harm's way. This is an oversimplification of a closely orchestrated sequence of operations, where mistakes were often fatal and where good men stood in line for the jobs. Although the steam engine, and its whistle, have been replaced by gasoline and diesel engines, the whistle codes are still used in many current logging operations. The whistle has been replaced largely with airhorns.

See also

• Geared steam locomotive – often used on forestry railways
• Lidgerwood – manufacturer of steam-powered logging equipment
• Steam locomotive
• Steam power during the Industrial Revolution
• Steamroller
• Steam tricycle
• Steam turbine
• Timeline of steam power
• Yarder – a larger steam-powered logging machine

External links

• Glossary of Logging terms, Center for the Study of the Pacific Northwest, under Donkey puncher and Whistlepunk.