In the Summer of 1913, Schroeder made arrangements for logging in the townships of Wilson, Ferrie and Brown. He then contracted James Ludgate to take out the timber. Ludgate made his headquarters at Salines, later known as Drocourt. It was not until the autumn of 1916 that Schroeder Mills & Timber Co. purchased outright, the of timber berths in Mowat and Blair, from the Victoria Harbour Lumber Co. It was following this purchase, that Lauder, Spears and Howland began construction of the new mill at Lost Channel.