Shipping pit props (support beams for mine shafts) by boats continued until the outbreak of World War I. At that time all trade with Europe slowed down because Newfoundland was surrounded by enemy boats. Since coal had to be mined, the demand for pit props was high so a method of getting them to Britain was sought. A man named Bayley from Sydney came up with the idea of a log raft. It contained a million logs, and carried 40 men. The log raft was 45' wide, 40' deep, and 250' long.