The journey of tar from the forests to the ports was long and demanding.

Before the construction of railways or land connections, people, goods and boats all travelled along the Oulujoki river. At that time, the Oulujoki river still flowed freely and its roaring rapids were beautiful but challenging for travellers. The 20-kilometre-long Pyhäkoski rapids in Muhos, in particular, were imposing and demanding.

Very few people dared to descend the rapids without the help of a river pilot. They were professionals in their field, official and sworn and renowned for their skill in rafting, serving tourists and tar burners alike. Sometimes, travellers of the rapids would carry out their journey while sitting on top of tar barrels.

Each of the river's rapids had its own river pilots. In order to take on the task, they had to present a guarantee of their skills from two reliable persons and an official certificate. They were then appointed by the county court, later the governor of Oulu province. The river pilots also had to commit to compensating for any damages caused by their negligence.

River pilots had to be ready to guide boats at all times, and they had to remain perfectly sober during their work. Sometimes, it could be difficult to reject the extra drinks and cheese sandwiches that boaters offered when they wanted to set off before anyone else.

There were waiting places at the rapids where tar transporters could wait for a river pilot and stay overnight. An example of such a place was Merilä, from where the boats set off to the Pyhäkoski section of the river. Sometimes, there could be a kilometre's worth of boats waiting to continue their journey.

According to the rules, one had to be standing while descending the rapids. The rapids were travelled daily, and on the busiest days, river pilots guided several boats through their own sections of the rapids. The only day off was Sunday, and even then for only part of the day. If a river pilot became ill, he had to ask the governor for a leave of absence.

Even though the work was hard, the river pilots were proud of their professionalism. They were also appreciated for their calmness and skill. The river pilots knew the routes through the rapids like the backs of their own hands and were able to avoid any shoals. This skill was often passed down from father to son. They were river pilots born and raised along the banks of the Oulujoki river.

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Sources:

Merilä, Aino 2002. Merilästä elämän ja koskien kuohuihin.

Oulujoki Osakeyhtiö 1954. Entinen Oulujoki – Historiikkia ja muistitietoja.

Sihvo, Pirkko 1996. Lamminaho – Elämää Oulujoen Niskakoskella.

Valantehneet laskumiehet. Utajärvi municipality. Available, accessed 19.12.2023: https://www.utajarvi.fi/download.php?id=167&type=101. Originally from: Kuohujen väylä Kajaanista Ouluun 2000–2012, Kirjastovirma (archived 30.11.2021).

Vuorela, Maarit & Vimpari, Tarja (Eds.) 2013. Kuohuissa kulkeneet – Kertomuksia Oulujoelta.

Photo: Tar boat in Pälli, Muhos, Oulujoki. Photo: I. K. Inha, producer K. E. Ståhlberg 1890–1899. Ethnographic collection. The Finnish Heritage Agency.

Production: Rokua UNESCO Global Geopark / Humanpolis Oy, 2023. Implemented as part of the Fascinating Stories as Attraction Factors for the Rokua Geopark area project granted by the Regional Council of the European Union and the State of Finland, granted by the Regional Council of North Ostrobothnia.