In the late 1800s, steam technology replaced horse and oxen hauling and increased logging production enormously. “Get rid of that dribbling pot and bring back the bulls!” was the reaction of one logger on being introduced to a steam donkey, but the machines proved so versatile their use rapidly became widespread. Steam donkeys could be used for yarding, hauling and loading logs. Mounted on a log sled, they were pulled onto floats to be towed to a new location. Steam donkeys were numerous all over the Pacific Northwest until replaced by diesel machinery in the 1940s.
The Empire Steam Donkey at the entrance to the Museum at Campbell River was manufactured in Vancouver in 1916. It is equipped with a 10 x 12 engine with separate pinions operating the haulback and main drums.Purchased new by P.B. Anderson for his logging operations at Knox Bay, the donkey was sold to Clarence Boardman of Dot Logging Co. in 1932. The Boardman family logged with it at Hardwicke Island, West Thurlow Island, Boughey Bay, Chatham Channel, Lull Bay and Glendale Cove. It was abandoned at the head of Knight Inlet in 1948.
The donkey was brought to Campbell River during the 1980s and moved onto the Museum site in 1994. In 1999 a project to restore the donkey began in earnest. Five years and hundreds of volunteer hours later, it was fully restored to operational state. On Labour Day, 2004, the donkey “got up steam” for the first time in nearly 60 years. It is fired annually for special occasions.
Sled Replacement Project
This rare and beloved, fully operational steam donkey is about to receive a brand-new sled. After 20 years in the elements, the original sled has deteriorated. Thanks to the dedication of volunteers and the generosity of our community. This project will ensure the preservation of a remarkable piece of logging history for years to come.
What
Who
When
Built in 1916, the Empire Steam Donkey came to the Museum in 1994 and was meticiously restored by volunteers to working condition. For decades, it has captivated visitors with its story of ingenuity and resilience, immersing them in the tough realities of early coastal logging.
The donkey is one of only a handful of operational steam donkeys in North America, maintained by a volunteer crew of five. But the wooden sled it rests on—built more than 20 years ago—is deteriorating. Volunteer Dave Hamilton recognized the need for action, securing a donation of three yellow cedar logs and spearheading the restoration effort.
Replacing the sled is no small feat. The project requires:
- Multiple machines to cut the logs to the right size and shape
- A crane to lift the donkey
- Sandblasting and painting
- Pest treatment for the sled
A dedicated team of volunteers, skilled craftspeople, and generous community supporters is coming together to build a brand-new sled for the Museum’s 1916 Empire Steam Donkey. Donating their time, talent, and resources, these passionate individuals are breathing new life into a remarkable piece of logging history. Thanks to their efforts—and beautiful yellow cedar logs already secured—work is well underway, with the new sled set to be in place by Labour Day 2026.
Special thanks to these individuals who have already made amazing contributions:
- Norm Kempe, BC Timber Sales
- Roland Doering, BC Timber Sales
- Jordan Degraaf, BC Timber Sales
- Tyler Cawley, Night Train Contracting
- Rance Robazza, Ministry of Forests, Engineering Branch
- Chris Wickman, Ministry of Forests, Engineering Branch
- Bruce Visser, Discovery Crane
- Pete Darwin, Lemare Lake Logging
- Brad Beaton, Stonecroft Engineering
- Casjen Kramer, Nickel Bros.
- Orie Bloomfield
Thanks to generous partners and hardworking volunteers, three beautiful yellow cedar logs are already in hand. Work is underway, and the Museum is launching a fundraising campaign to help cover the costs of installing the new sled and to help with ongoing maintenance of the Steam Donkey for years to come.
Replacing the sled is no small feat. The project requires:
- Multiple machines to cut the logs to the right size and shape
- Space to store and prepare the sled for the donkey
- A crane to lift the donkey onto its new sled
Costs will continue as the Museum maintains the operational status of the donkey. These costs include:
- Periodic sandblasting and painting of the boiler
- Pest treatment for the sled
- Ongoing certification of volunteers to operate it, including renewal of the operators’ Antique Show Boiler Licenses
- Annual inspections & the twice yearly running of the donkey
We need your support
The story of the Steam Donkey reflects the very spirit of the Museum: passionate people working together to safeguard history for future generations. But projects like this come with costs, and we’re asking for your support.
Please consider a donation to help cover essential expenses like equipment rentals, materials, and certification fees—ensuring the Steam Donkey remains a living, working link to our past.
If you’re a local business and would like to partner with us, please contact Alison Liebel at museum.promotions@crmuseum.ca.
Dive Deeper into the History of the Steam Donkey
We need your support
Your donation will help cover essential expenses like equipment rentals, materials, and certification fees—ensuring the Steam Donkey remains a living, working link to our past.