Brockman's Sawpit

Statement of Significance

Historic, Scientific, Rarity and Representativeness

Physical Description

• Cleared site surrounded by bush;
• Pit in ground, approx 3m x 2m;
• Large log lying lengthways along pit;
• Log balancing on three rounded timber logs (bearers) spanning
the pit;
• Secured in place with timber chocks;
• Saw (original or replica) in log to show how the pit operated, and;
• Post and rail fence around sawpit.

History

This sawpit is thought to have been built by the Brockman family, who
were the first settlers in the Pemberton district. Edward Revely
Brockman took up land on the banks the Warren River in the early 1860s.
He married Capel Bussell in 1861 and they had nine children. Brockman
became a leading citizen in the district, and he was the first Chairman of
the Lower Blackwood Road Board.
This sawpit is one of the best preserved of the many which remain in the
bush nearby. It is thought that it was probably dug by convicts in about
1865 to provide timber for the construction of the Brockman homestead
and outbuildings, which is located approx 5km north west of the sawpit.
In 1972 forest workers discovered the pit, the logs and the sawn flinches
in the scrub. The timber had weathered really well, and marks from saws
and axes were clearly visible. The sawpit was then reassembled by DEC
to give insight into an important period of forestry history. It has been
interpreted for tourist purposes. It pays tribute to the back breaking
labour of the pit sawyers who worked so hard to help with the settlement
of the district.
How the sawpit worked was:
Trees were felled with axes and crosscut saws. They were then trimmed,
the top was cut off, and then the logs were dragged to the sawpit by horse
and bullock team. A log was then rolled onto bearers spanning the pit,
and was secured with wooden chocks. Two men operated the saw. One
standing or lying in the pit pulled down, cutting the log, while the man on
top pulled the saw back up, aligning it for the next cut. The bottom man
suffered extreme hardship, often working in mud and water, and being
constantly showered with sawdust. This could be the origin of the term
Top Dog and Bottom Dog.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Very Good
Authenticity: Very Good

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

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