After arriving at Lake Bennett the stampeders built boats or scows from whipsawed lumber, or rafts of logs, to transport their outfits down the Yukon River to the Klondike. These huge barges and rafts were capable of carrying some 20 tons of supplies.
Their first obstacle was navigating through the confining basalt walls of Miles Canyon just south of Whitehorse. Having survived this ordeal the stampeders immediately faced the turbulent white water of Whitehorse Rapids that has since been tamed by a hydro-electric dam.
Control of the rafts and barges was maintained by the use of long “sweeps” located both fore and aft of the craft. Sometimes skilled pilots were hired, the most famous one of all being author Jack London.
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