Richard (Dick) Proenneke - Oakum
In memory of Dick Proenneke 1916 - 2003
Dick Proenneke stated, 'Any gap I could get a table knife through, got Oakum'
So what is Oakum? Whilst researching the life of Dick Proenneke I read this quote and after some searching came up with nothing! I assumed it was a type of filler to fill in any gaps between the log construction of his cabin but could not find out exactly what OAKUM was.
So the search for information was on. After searching high and low it turns out that Oakum is actually 'Hemp Fibre' commonly used by pipe fitters and plasterers. It is naturally occurring fibres from the hemp plant stems.
Oakum is installed with a steel chisel and mallet into the gaps between each layer of logs to provide a flexible filler to keep out the wind and rain.
Filling the gaps in a log cabin building is commonly referred to as 'Chinking the cabin.'
Dick Proenneke actually mixed Oakum with Moss to chink some parts of the cabin to make the Oakum go further!