Silk Sails (27 page)

Gladys bought the 95-ton vessel from the trustee of the bankrupt sale of Hollett Sons & Co. of Burin on September 18, 1961. She changed the name of the vessel from
Trinity North
to
J. W. Wiscombe
in honour of her late husband, merchant at Creston. She took a mortgage on the ship. The ship was totally lost in January 1965 when it ran aground at Point May.

Selina Frances Vallis, Coombs Cove, Married, 1961-65,
John C. Musseau

Selina bought the 15-ton vessel on November 1, 1961, and on December 12 appointed Walter Chesley Vallis of Coombs Cove as managing owner, i.e., “the person to whom the management of the vessel is entrusted.” The record states, as in all cases of this kind: “Advice under the hand of Selina Frances Vallis received 12 December 1961.”

Evelyn Whiffen, Bonavista, Widow, 1963-4,
Anita Joyce

Andrew Whiffen, fisherman of Bonavista, had owned the ship since 1955; he died without a will on August 3, 1963. Letters of
Administration were granted to Evelyn Whiffen, widow, on April 9, 1964. She sold the ship on July 3, 1964.

Rita McDonald, Salmonier, Married, 1964-65,
Halford Robert & Lawrence

John Joseph Hickey of O'Donnells, St. Mary's Bay, bought the ship on August 4, 1964, and the next day took a mortgage with Rita McDonald. She discharged Mortgage B on December 23, 1965.

Ellen Murray, Carbonear, Widow, 1828-,
Hope

Ellen's husband, John Murray, planter of Carbonear, was a joint owner of the
Hope
with Robert Pack, John Goss of Poole and William Fryer of Wimborne in the County of Dorset, merchants. John Murray probably was the master of the ship, which had been built at Belle Isle in 1805 and “enlarged under the hand of William Rockwood builder dated 15 March 1827.” John Murray died on June 7, 1828; he had bequeathed by his will of June 28, 1827, his 32 shares in the
Hope
to his widow Ellen. The record ends with a note which leads one to believe that Ellen remained a majority partner with the three merchants.

Olivia Emma Winsor, Wesleyville, Widow, 1908-21,
Tasso

Olivia's partners at the time of purchase on January 14, 1908, were Jesse Winsor and William C. Winsor, though she was the first-named owner. She sold her shares and rights to them after 13 years, on October 5, 1921.

Catherine Saunders, Aquaforte, Widow, 1916,
David M. Hilton

This ship had been built in Essex, Massachusetts, in 1888. Richard Saunders owned 16 shares in this ship. He died without a will on April 8, 1916. Letters of Administration were granted to Catherine on August 3, and she sold the 16 shares just 18 days later.

Alice I. Butler, St. John's, Spinster,1918-26,
Admiral Drake

Alice inherited two shares when William F. Butler, architect of St. John's, died without a will on February 24, 1918. She was still holding the shares in 1926. Minnie Ellis, spinster of St. John's, became an executor for the estate of William J. Ellis and was a joint owner of this ship for four months. See Minnie in the “Sole Owner” list above.

Agnes H. Fitzgerald, St. John's, Stenographer, 1919-28,
Emily E. Selig

Agnes bought 2 shares in this vessel on May 29, 1919, from A. S. Rendell & Co. Ltd. The vessel was totally lost at Groix Island sometime in 1928.

Adelaide Winter, Burin, Married, 1922-24,
Beulah Mae

Adelaide bought one share from Thomas V. Hollett, merchant at Burin, on April 15, 1922. She held this share until the vessel was sold on December 4, 1924.

Hannah Boyce, Jersey Harbour, Widow, 1926-27,
Nina Beatrice

Daniel Boyce, merchant of Jersey Harbour, died May 5, 1926, and in his will appointed Hannah executrix. She sold her 48 shares in the
Nina Beatrice
and her partner, Orlando Bungay, sold his 16 shares to D. Boyce & Sons Ltd., undoubtedly Hannah's sons, on May 15, 1927. See Hannah also in the “Sole Owner” list above.

Abigail Horwood, Harbour Le Cou, Merchant, 1926-36-,
Syabilla M.

Abigail's partner in the 17-ton
Syabilla M.
was John Herridge, her brother. The ship was built by Josiah Farrell of Bay de Nord, La Poile, in 1926, and it is probable that Abigail had the ship built for her purposes. In the record it states that Abigail was a fisherman and John was a merchant. This was an error, and the occupations should be reversed. Abigail's husband was Todd Horwood, merchant, and they were in the business together. She carried on the business after her husband's death. The people in Harbour Le Cou stated during my 1994 visit: “She was never a fisherman.” It was said that she bought the ship for her brother Ernest Herridge, but that perhaps was because he was the master of the ship. Abigail's nickname was “Sis.” John Herridge died in 1935 and Abigail became the “person acquiring title or power.” As
sole owner of the small ship, she had an engine installed in 1936 and continued to use the vessel for several more years. Abigail may have sold the vessel in later years since the record states: “Registry closed 16 January 1953. Vessel decayed and sank sometime ago at North Sydney, Nova Scotia. Advice received from Messrs. H. B. Nickerson & Sons. Ltd., North Sydney.” It is likely that Abigail owned this vessel for 20-plus years.

Alice Maria Nash, McCallum, Married, 1933-34,
Alice M. Nash

This 35-ton schooner had been built in 1931 by Morgan Roberts at the Head of Bay D'Espoir, and bought by Wilson Riggs, clerk, and Alice Maria Nash, both of McCallum, Hermitage Bay. Alice must have changed the name at the time of registration. They sold on November 27, 1934, to Hy. Clements Ltd., merchants at Burgeo.

Margaret Grace Ryan, St. John's, Widow, 1934-37,
Our Lady

1934-43,
H. F. Wilson

1934-43,
Hunter

1934-44,
Saffron

Daniel Ryan, merchant of King's Cove, died July 6, 1934. Executors appointed were Edmund Joseph Ryan, John Thomas McCarthy and Margaret Grace Ryan. After three years they sold all four ships to Ryan Brothers Ltd. of Trinity and three of them subsequently to other buyers. The Hon. Daniel A. Ryan had owned both firms at King's Cove and Trinity. Margaret Grace McCarthy of Carbonear had been Daniel's wife, and they had a daughter Margaret. The executor in this case was probably the wife, though she would have been in her 80s at the time.

Hannah Elizabeth Carter, St. John's, Widow, 1935-37,
Earl of Devon

This 194-ton vessel was built at Govan, Glasgow. Alexander Carter, master mariner of Greenspond, owned 32 shares in the ship as of December 31, 1915. Alexander died on June 27, 1935, and his will of February 7, 1933, appointed Hannah Elizabeth as executor of his estate. She was by then living at St. John's. The executors for the other owner, Arthur C. Peters, and Hannah Elizabeth sold their shares on March 16 and 18, 1937, to the Commissioner for Public Utilities, Commission of Government of Newfoundland.

Isabel Frampton, White Rock, T.B., Widow, 1937-38,
Dorothy Beryl

This 62-ton vessel was built at White Rock by Ezekiel Frampton, mariner, in 1936. Ezekiel owned 36 shares and Henry Thomas Stone, accountant of White Rock, owned 28 shares. Ezekiel died intestate on May 18, 1937, and Letters of Administration were granted to Henry Thomas who settled the estate by selling Isabel's 32 shares and his 28 shares on November 25, 1938, to Kenneth Fowlow, fisherman of Trinity East.

Miriam May Hiscock, Flat Islands, B.B., Spinster, 1938-39,
Grace Hilda

On November 4, 1938, Miriam May bought 16 shares in the 98-ton
Grace Hilda,
which had been built at La Have, Nova Scotia, in 1916. William Hiscock, fisherman, had originally owned the vessel but before he died on July 18, 1938, he sold the vessel to William Francis Hiscock. It was from William Francis that Miriam May bought the shares. They sold the vessel on June 26, 1939.

Millicent Bragg, Glovertown, Spinster, 1940-41,
Royal Visit

Martin Bragg, fisherman and builder of this ship, Gideon Paul and Millicent Bragg were joint owners of the
Royal Visit
as of March 15, 1940. The ship had been named to commemorate the royal visit of their majesties to Newfoundland in 1939. Millicent's sister Lily was married to Gideon Paul, and her sister Mary was the postmistress in Glovertown for many years. Millicent married late in life. The ship was lost at Horse Islands on July 15, 1941.

Mary Oldford, Salvage, B.B., Widow, 1942-43,
Britannia

Edward Oldford, fisherman of Salvage, owned 48 shares in this ship as of June 26, 1933. The owner of the other 16 shares was Kenneth Brown, merchant of Salvage. He had a mortgage with Bowring Bros., merchants of St. John's. Edward Oldford died intestate on July 11, 1942, and Letters were granted to Reginald Brown, fisherman, and Mary Oldford, both of Salvage. They sold Mary's 48 shares on November 4, 1943, to Clarence Bertram Oldford, fisherman of Salvage.

Rosa May Pomeroy, Brigus, Widow, 1943-44,
Ellen L. Maxner

This 105-ton ship had been built at Lunenberg, Nova Scotia, in 1899. It had been rebuilt in 1929 by Isaac Bowering of Bay Roberts for William Pomeroy and Frederick G. Pomeroy, planters of Brigus.
William Pomeroy died intestate on December 21, 1943, and Letters of Administration were granted to Rosa May and she sold her shares in the vessel on March 30, 1944, to the Monroe Export Co.

Lydia Carter, St. John's, Married, 1945-49,
R. A. Squires

Lydia and Wilfred Eugene Butler, grocer of St. John's, were joint owners of this ship. They had the vessel altered and a new engine installed at the time of purchase. They sold the ship on November 29, 1949.

Amelia Valencia Buffett, Rose Blanche, Married, 1945-50,
Dulcie Ann

Amelia and James Buffett, fisherman, were joint owners of the
Dulcie Ann
when they bought it in 1945. James died on June 21, 1950. Amelia moved to North Sydney and sold the vessel there on September 5, 1950. She informed the registrar at St. John's in writing. Amelia was from Diamond Cove.

Alice Hatcher, Rose Blanche, Married, 1946-49,
A. M. Hatcher

Josiah Farrell of Bay de Nord, La Poile, built this 12-ton ship in 1932. The first owner, Robert Hatcher, fisherman of Rose Blanche, sold it on December 9, 1946, to Stanley Robert Hatcher, fisherman, and Alice Hatcher of Rose Blanche. They used the ship for three years and sold it in 1949 to Robert Allen Newman, merchant at Petites. Alice was a Cox from nearby Diamond Cove.

Harriett Chislett, Rose Blanche, Married, 1946-58,
H. B. Chislett

Harriett Chislett and Walter Thomas Chislett, fisherman, bought this ship in 1946 from Robert Allan Newman, merchant at Petites. Harriet's husband was John, so Walter Thomas may have been her son or brother-in-law. In 1958, after 12 years of ownership, Walter Thomas bought Harriet's shares. They did not have a mortgage when it was co-owned, but when Walter Thomas bought it in 1958, he took a mortgage. Harriett was a Stroud from Rose Blanche.

Hannah Celia Hollett, Burin, Widow, 1947-48,
Golden Glow

1947-48,
Keith V. Colin

Thomas Vigus Hollett, Hannah's husband and merchant at Burin, died July 27, 1947. His will of August 9, 1942, did not appoint an executor. Letters of Administration were granted to Hannah Celia
on March 27, 1948. Of the 26 shares that Thomas V. Hollett held in the
Keith V. Colin,
Hannah Celia sold 10 shares to Donald Hollett, 10 shares to Edward Glyndon Hollett, and 6 shares to Keith McKenzie Hollett on March 24, 1948; these were her sons. Of the 36 shares which Thomas held in the
Golden Glow
, Hannah sold 10 shares to Donald Hollett, 10 shares to Edward Glyndon Hollett, 8 shares to Keith McKenzie Hollett, and 8 shares to Hollett Sons & Co. Hannah Celia had been born at Great Burin in 1881. Her father used to hold school in their kitchen at Great Burin. Hannah and Thomas were married on January 18, 1905. They had eleven children. She died in 1949. Hannah regularly attended business meetings held at their home.

Ruth LeMoine, Rose Blanche, Married, 1947-, A
ugustus Gordon

1949-54,
Kevin J. Mildred

Harold Llewellyn LeMoine, mariner, and Ruth LeMoine jointly owned the
Augustus Gordon
from 1947 to an undetermined date. By 1949, when they jointly bought the second ship, Harold was designated as a master mariner. Ruth was an Anderson from West Point.

Elsie May Blackwood, St. John's, Married, 1947-50,
Mary H. Hirtle

1951-54,
Belcher Queen

Elsie May and Job Blackwood, mariner, had left Safe Harbour, Bonavista Bay, by the mid-1940s and were living in St. John's. They jointly bought the
Mary H. Hirtle
in 1947 and took a mortgage for $8,000 with John Gilbert Higgins, solicitor of St. John's; the mortgage was discharged after four months. Then they took a second small mortgage in 1948 with Crosbie & Co. Ltd. The vessel was wrecked in Codroy Harbour on December 19, 1950. They bought the ship
Belcher Queen
in 1951 and sold it to their son Eric in 1954. Capt. Eric Blackwood was at that point an ex-RCAF pilot who in 1945 formed Newfoundland Aero Sales & Services, with seven planes delivering weekly mails to the Northern Peninsula and doing aerial seal spotting. Because of a serious plane accident on Random Island in 1952, Blackwood gave up commercial flying and thus 10 years of aerial service. See Elsie May Blackwood in the “Sole Owner” list.

Maud Billard, Harbour Le Cou, Married, 1947-53,
Dolores Kaye

1963-84,
Austin & Dianne

Simeon Matthew Billard, fisherman, and Maud Billard, married woman, bought the
Dolores Kaye
from Augustus and Phoebe Buckland in 1947 and sold it to U.S. subjects in 1953. It is difficult to be precise about whether the Billards owned the vessel at the time of the sale, because advice had been received from Maurice James Banfield of North Sydney, “the last operator of the vessel.” That is unusual language if Banfield was the owner; it is probable that he sold the vessel on behalf of the Billards. In 1960 Simeon bought the
Austin & Dianne
, a long-liner, and in 1963 he registered it jointly in his own name and the name of his wife Maud. The ship sank on June 30, 1983, approximately 20 miles SE by E from Rose Blanche Point. It is assumed that Simeon and Maud were still the owners, because there was no transaction indicating a further sale. The period of Maud's ownership thus covered a total of 36 years. Maud was a Clarke from Harbour Le Cou; she was born on December 26, 1920, Simeon on June 4, 1918. Simeon died in 1990 and Maud was still living when I visited Harbour Le Cou in 1994.