Cribbing: How It Is Done

artifact found in the store, with an added blog title

Cribbing is a frame or crib of logs, secured under water to form a support for a fish stage.

— Heritage foundation of Newfoundland & Labrador

Due to its age and the harsh weather conditions, the cribbing that supported both the store and the fish stage needs important repairs. We need to replace rotten logs with new ones in order to prevent the building’s partial or complete collapse into the ocean.

As opposed to building a foundation on solid ground, the construction of cribbing involves practical knowledge about the natural elements. From the harvest of selected lumber in the beginning to the installation of the “pile junks” at the end, it is a lengthy and methodic process that can provide us insight on how to work with the forces of the tides, winds, waves and ice. The animated diagram below illustrates the process of cribbing as explained by Freeman and Jeff who stayed on site to install the fresh logs in place.

Here is a list of Newfoundland fishery terms in order of appearance:

Wharf sticks: primary structural elements that form the crib

Ballast bed: a framework of heavy logs or beams, filled with rocks, forming the crib of a wharf

Ballast: rocks that hold the crib in place

Pile junks: siding to protect the crib from sea ice intrusion that might break apart the framework

1. First, start the framework with four logs; these are called called the wharf sticks

2. Lay down a series of smaller size logs which form the ballast bed

3. Fill with ballast rocks to stabilize the foundation against the forces of the winds and waves

4. Repeat steps 1–3 until you reach the desired height

5. The last step consists of closing the gap on the perimeter with the pile junks which will protect the crib from sea ice intrusion

Log Rinding

The process begins with the ordering of logs from the mainland. Once we received the logs, we have to prepare them for the cribbing. Log rinding or the process of stripping the bark off the logs has to be done on site. Our team of builders split up in two. While Jack and Greg worked on the log rinding, Freeman and Jeff stayed on site to install the fresh logs.

Greg and Jack are rinding or taking the bark off the logs to prepare them for the installation. A pile of ready-to-go logs

Rotten siding is removed and temporary scaffolding is put in place

Freeman and Jeff installed the new logs to replace the rotten ones

What’s Next?

Freeman and Jeff are working on replacing the rotten posts, beams and roof rafters. The next post will showcase the artifacts found on site and their stories told by Freeman, Jeff, Jack and Greg.

Two new beams have already been installed

About Shorefast

Shorefast is a registered Canadian charity based on Fogo Island, Newfoundland, which operates with a mission to build economic and cultural resilience on Fogo Island.

We have committed to preserving and to carrying forward the knowledge contained in Fogo Island’s traditional small wooden boat, the punt. As part of that commitment, we are restoring a fishing premises in the community of Joe Batt’s Arm. Comprising a family house, two fisherman’s lofts, a fishing stage, and a new floating dock to launch and haul up punts, the property will become known as the Punt Centre.

Here on this blog, you can follow the progression of this heritage restoration and learn about traditional outport Newfoundland architecture, and in so doing, explore the balance between heritage and modern restoration, people and architecture, design and purpose, as well as culture and locality.

www.shorefast.org / fb: @ShorefastFogoIsland / t: @shorefastFI / insta: @shorefastfogoisland