Sometimes these jams can be loosened by being pulled apart, one log at a time.

A hundred men can pull out an amazing number of logs in a day.

The problem always is to set free or cut out certain "key" logs, which lock the whole mass.

Following is a description by Stewart Edward White of the breaking of such a jam: The crew were working desperately.

Down on the heap somewhere, two logs were crossed in such a manner as to lock the whole.
They sought those logs.
Thirty feet above the bed of the river six men clamped their peaveys into the soft pine; jerking, pulling, lifting, sliding the great logs from their places.