The Sinking of The Lady Hobart

A few months ago I noticed a book for sale on a local online classified website.  It was quite expensive (hundreds of dollars) and original.  "The Sinking of the Lady Hobart" and "Lower Island Cove" was in the ad title.  This caught my eye.  It was the first time I heard about The Lady Hobart. 

I was anxious to learn more but could not pay that kind of money for a used book. Through some online searching I managed to find a copy of the book.  It was digitized at the University of Alberta.

In reading the book, I soon learned how Lower Island Cove (Island Cove) fit into the story.  A truely remarkable tale of survival.

The short book describes the voyage of the Lady Hobart Packet on June 22, 1803.  The ship was leaving Halifax for England, Captained by William Dorset Fellowes. The book was Captain Fellowes first hand account of the events that lie ahead.

Captain William Dorset Fellowes, 1769 – 1852

Packets - or Mail Packets - were used by the Royal Mail in the early days to transport mail overseas.  It was a dangerous time on the seas, and most packets were heavily armed.  The instructions to the Captains were to run from danger while they could, fight when they could no longer outrun the vessels, and to throw the mail overboard with weight to sink when fighting was no longer an option.

On June 26th The Lady Hobart encountered a French schooner that Captain Fellowes felt was a threat to them. It was the L'Aimable Julie of Port Liberte, captained by Charles Rosse.  It was leaving St. Pierre and was loaded with salt codfish.  As it approached a warning shot was fired it surrendered and both vessel and crew were captured.

Lieutenants John Little and William Hughes of his Majesty's Navy (who were passengers on The Lady Hobart) were put in change of the captured French schooner.  Captain Fellowes gave instructions to a couple of his own crew to man the newly acquired schooner along with a couple of French captives.

The same morning he fired another shot stopping two more schooners.  Once discovering they were English he gave them the remained of the French prisoners to bring into St. John's.  The only French that remained on the Lady Hobart was Captain Rosse, his mate, and his young nephew.

On June 28th the Lady Hobart made her way towards England and struck an "island of ice" which did significant damage to the vessel.  All the crew and passengers managed to get into a cutter and a jolly-boat and away from the sinking Lady Hobart.  They estimated to be 350 miles from St. John's when they ran into trouble.

The story of survival which followed is remarkable.  After spending many days at sea they were finally rescued by a couple schooners out of  Island Cove.

 Here's a few photos I found online searching for information.

Black and white print of Lady Hobart on the morning of 28 June 1803 by Nicholas Pocock; Engraver R. Pollard, 1804 (TPM 2009-0014)

The Loss of the Lady Hobart Packet National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, 26 January 1805

The perilous situation of the Lady Hobart Packet on an Island of Ice. [n.d., c.1810.]

Mr. John Lilly, a planter from Lower Island Cove played a large role in the story.  He received the rescued people with "attention and humanity".  I found John Lilly's name mentioned in old plantation records which indicated that he lived next to the Brodericks up in the cove.  That would be not too far from Jackson's Gulch.  He is also mentioned in The Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland and Labrador and that he resided there in 1784.

Due to the lack of medical aid and fresh provisions in LIC they wasted no time proceeding onto St. John's.  It appeared that the only food available in LIC at the time was potatoes and salt-fish.

Here's a clipping from "When was that - A Chronological Dictionary of Important Events in Newfoundland down to and including the year 1922" (page 76-77).  The first part describes a terrible house fire in which claimed the lives of Garlands.  The second part describes the Lady Hobart sinking 1802, but it was actually 1803 according to the original story.

The whole book can be read here.  It's a great tale of survival and leadership by the Captain.

Narrative of the loss of The Lady Hobart Packet

https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=aeu.ark:/13960/t9p277q1m&view=1up&seq=12

Hope you enjoyed this little writeup.

S.

The Settlement of Bonney (Bonhay, Boney, Bonny, Boney Brook)

I've heard this place called a few different things over the years.  Usually "Bunny" or some variation of the word.  Some people hunt moose, small game or go berry picking in the area.  

I've always wondered where exactly the settlement was located.  It appears to be a bit of a mystery.

Looking towards Bonney from Low Point Road

This clipping from a Journal of the House of Assembly in 1839 describes resident William Tilly and others of Old Perlican petitioning the Government to build a road from Old Perlican to Bonney, which would join the road leading to Bay de Verds.

Journal of the House of Assembly of Newfoundland 1839 4th Session

This excerpt is taken from "The Journal of Oliver Rouse Anglican Missionary in Newfoundland September 1846 - May 1850".  This entry dated December 27, 1847 describes Mr. Rouse arranging a order of Molasses for John White of Bonhay.  My Wife's Grandparents on her Mom's side of the family were Whites from Low Point.  A good chance they were related to Mr. John White.

The Journal of Oliver Rouse Anglican Missionary in Newfoundland September 1846 - May 1850

This clipping from the Journal of the House of Assembly in 1851 shows an estimate for roadwork "from Island Cove to Bay-de-Verds, passing by Low Point, Caplin Cove and Boney"

Journal of the House of Assembly of Newfoundland 1851

The Census of 1869 shows Bonny with 8 Inhabitants.

Newfoundland Census 1869

A 1874 Census shows the Population of Boney Brook as 24 people.  This leads me to believe the settlement was close to the stream which runs down through the area.  The following page of the Census show that there were 3 inhabited houses in Boney Brook.  It's interesting that Caplin Cove and Kettle Cove are lumped into one heading - with 58 residents.

Newfoundland Census 1874

Common practice in the 1800s was to have a "List of Unclaimed Letters" in the newspaper.
Here's a clipping from The Morning Courier.  Mail for Thomas Whalan Bonny which was perhaps being delivered by Rev. Mr. Duffy.

From The Morning Courier

Where exactly was this settlement?  In talking to a few people, this appears to be a bit of a mystery.  Was it on the north or south side of the brook?  Was it closer to Caplin Cove or Monday Pond? Perhaps it was right on the coast.

Here's an aerial showing the general area that the settlement was located between Low Point and Bay de Verde.

A closer look at the area showing the brook (Boney Brook). Also a couple areas circled that could be possible locations of the homesteads or farmland.  However, the area towards Monday Pond was used as pasture land in recent years.  These worked areas could have been more recent gardens from the 1900s.

The yellow dashed line is the ATV trail that runs through the area, which would have been the road years ago connecting Bay de Verde with present Low Point Road.  The trail head is just behind the small fenced graveyard on Low Point Road.

This clipping from 1846 showing completed roadwork Bonny was 2.5 miles from Bay-de-Verds, and 2.5 miles from Low Point.  That's a clue to it's location.

The Star and Advocate November 19, 1846

Drawing a rough 2.5 mile long line from BDV and Low Point (using existing roads/trails), this aerial shows Bonny around the area of these four small gullies. This is nowhere near the main brook described above.

In the clipping below from 1838, James L. Prendergast describes the budget required to construct various bridges in the area - to improve the road from Bay de Verds to Carbonear.  Bonny had 50 pounds put aside for it's bridge.

Some of the names are familiar today such as Pinch Gut Brook, which is the bridge not far from what we call Pinch Gut Island (not really an island since it's connected to shore by a small isthmus).  The concrete foundation of this bridge still stands on the old road adjacent to the new highway between Flambro Head and what we call the Featherbeds.  Pissing Mares bridge is the bridge in Burnt Woods, LIC.  Anybody know where "Horrids" bridge is?  Sounds horrible!  How about Mobsley's Northern and Southern?

Journal of the House of Assembly 1838

This clipping talks about Bonny Brooks.  Two brooks 15 feet wide and very difficult to cross after heavy rains.  Maybe the brook that flows out of Monday Pond was referred to as one of the brooks? It's hard to say.

Journal of the House of Assembly 1845

Below from 1871 describes Boney Brook Bridge being in hard shape.  But it only mentions one bridge - not a pair.  It says that the bridge is about 4 miles to the Old Perlican Road.  In what direction would that be? Perhaps towards Bay de Verde which would make Monday Pond brook close to 4 miles to Bay de Verde and the road to Old Perlican.

Journal of the House of Assembly 1871

The census of 1884 do not have any residents listed for Boney.  Perhaps the settlers moved to larger villages.  However, it do list Broom Cove (another settlement - closer to Bay de Verde) having 11 residents.

I'm hoping to take a trip down there and see if I can find any evidence of the settlement at some point.

If you have any information about where Boney was located, please drop me a line or leave a comment.

Hope you enjoyed this little write up.
S.

Giant Squids and Late Capelin

It's squid fishing time in Newfoundland.

Here's an article about a little boy in Lower Island Cove who discovered a Giant Squid on the beach!  I'm guessing this was probably the small beach where the community wharf and breakwater is located today.  There are only a few small rocky beaches around LIC, and most are hard to access on foot.

The particular giant squid or cuttlefish was measured at 32 feet long.  It's tentacles alone were 21 feet long.  It's described as having a body bigger than a horse and a pelt around three inches thick.

It would be a job to make stuffed squid with that one!

Evening Telegram December 5, 1890

Giant squids are no strangers to Newfoundland and many sightings have been recorded throughout the years.  The pic below shows one that washed ashore in Catalina in 1877.  There appeared to be quite a few recordings in the late 1800s.

Giant Squid September 24, 1877 Catalina Trinity Bay Source: Wikipedia

Here's another report where a 36 feet long squid was captured by fisherman David Boleyn at Smooth Cove which is between Ochre Pit Cove and Northern Bay.  It was found entangled in his bultow (trawl), and after a fight, he managed to get it to shore.

Evening Telegram - September 11, 1899

Capelin usually spawn on beaches in NL sometime between June and  August, but this clipping describes an unusual occurrence. A resident of Burnt Point observed capelin in the community in October which is very late.  It sounds like a fisherman had to go and dip up a bucket just to see that the resident wasn't telling lies!  Very strange.

Evening Telegram - October 30, 1907

Hope you enjoyed this little write up.
S.

Pascoe Plains and Mount Herbert

 In doing some Lower Island Cove research I came across this old article describing some Christmas activities that took place in LIC - January 1893.

The author of the letter Drummer and a few others travelled to LIC to attend and play music during the annual march at the Orange Hall.

It took them two hours to drive from Western Bay to LIC by horse and cart.  They were given a lunch and some hot coffee to warm them up at a friends place, and then carried on to the Orange Hall. This would have been the original hall in the cove.

Members of the LIC Society, led by Mr. Eli Garland then joined them and they formed a procession to march.

They leave and proceeded to Mount Herbert, then to Pascoe Plain.  Does anyone know where these areas would be located?  Mount Herbert is probably what we refer to today as "The Mount" but it's the first time I heard of Pascoe Plain.  They then marched back to the residence of Rev. J. Heyfield, then back to the Hall where they had a "very superior tea" prepared for them.

Sounds like Drummer was quite impressed with the reception they received in LIC.

The Evening Telegram - January 5, 1893

Here's another mention of Pascoe Plains in the Statutes of Newfoundland.

There was $20 set aside for roadwork to Pascoe Plains.  Also some other areas of LIC and surrounding areas.   It's interesting that the statute mentions farms in LIC owned by Thomas Garland and John Sparks.  Also Turner's Farm.

Statutes of Newfoundland 1875-1878

This clipping shows a John Lewis, Justice of Peace, who died at Mt. Herbert aged 77 years.

The Evening Telegram - June 2, 1892

If anybody could verify where these locations were, please comment or send me an email.  Thanks for reading!

S.

Schooner and Boat Losses

1879 - Losses at Kettle Cove, Caplin Cove & Carbonear

This large storm destroyed a boat belonging to Mr. Shanoe of Lower Island Cove - one of my ancestors.  I haven't heard any other accounts of this disaster.  It appears that the boat was destroyed at Kettle Cove and contained 75 quintals of winter fish which was going to be used for personal use rather than being sold.
Another boat owned by Mr. Morris of Lower Island Cove was lost which contained 7 casks of oil belonging to Mr. Eli Garland.

In the same storm, the St. Patrick was lost at Caplin Cove on it's way from Random Sound with various lumber items.  It's interesting that the locals looted all the gear from what was left of the destroyed vessel.

The Mary Jane of Conception Hr. was also destroyed in this storm when it ran ashore near Carbonear Island on a rock ledge referred to as the Sisters.  Over 500 quintals of fish were lost.

Harbor Grace Standard November 29, 1879

1882 - Loss of the Island Home

Loss of the Island Home 1882 - Lower Island Cove.  Owner Mr. E. Garland, lost at Kettle Cove.

Evening Telegram December 19, 1882

1886 - A Burnt Point Schooner Disaster

The article below describes a terrible incident which happened in the Fall of 1886.

The schooner Mary Ann out of Burnt Point (Samuel Stockwood, master) was sailing to St. John's with it's seasons cargo of fish.  It left Burnt Point at 10pm and set sail under a moon and moderate NW breeze.

All was well as the schooner rounded Cape St. Francis and headed towards St. John's.  But then a little while later, at an area known as Sugar Loaf near Logy Bay, it ran into trouble.  It was 4 a.m.

A lot of the crew were asleep below deck when the they suddenly found themselves on a collision coarse with the schooner Somerset which sailed out of Twillingate - Captain Rideout at the helm.  Both vessels had no lights visible.

There appeared to be some confusion onboard the Somerset with sail adjustment to avoid the collision.  Quick decision making was needed, and time was not on their side.

Within minutes the two schooners collided.  With both schooners heavy with cargo, the impact was great.  The Mary Ann suffered the worse being the smaller of the two vessels.  She was basically split in two, only being held afloat for five minutes or so because it's anchor got tangled in the Somerset's rigging or rail.

Efforts were made to get all the people below deck off the schooner.  Everyone got out except four people - three men and a Mrs. Fahay.  A broken-off mast blocked the exit and the boat was filling with water fast. A crew member grabbed Mrs. Fahay's hand but could not rescue her because the boat was filling quickly and he had to escape to save his own life.

The Mary Ann survivors were taken back to St. John's on the Somerset.  They later met with Government representatives of their district to obtain some financial relief.

People who were lost:

Sarah J. Fahey   (Burnt Point)
Charles Wicks    (Burnt Point)
N. Milley   (Burnt Point)
Leander Milley   (Burnt Point)

People who were saved:

Charles Milley   (Burnt Point)
Samual Stockwood   (Burnt Point)
Jasper Wicks   (Burnt Point)
Thomas Tucker   (Burnt Point)
Charles Tucker   (Burnt Point)
Andrew Milley   (Burnt Point)
John Davis   (Burnt Point)
John Oliver   (Gull Island)
Bartlett Oliver   (Gull Island)
Patrick Hogan   (Gull Island)
Mark Delaney   (Gull Island)
John Doyle   (Gull Island)
James Doyle   (Gull Island)
Peter Doyle   (Gull Island)
Michael Percy   (Gull Island)
William Oliver   (Gull Island)
Thomas Fahey   (Gull Island - husband of Sarah who drowned on the schooner)
Gregory Lemon   (Gull Island)
James Lemon   (Gull Island)
Leander Stockwood   (Gull Island)

The Evening Telegram September 24, 1886

1891 - Flamboro' Head

This clipping describes two boats that were fishing off Flamboro' Head when caught in a gale of wind.

The crew of one boat were rescued while the other was not so lucky.  Michael Broderick and Edgar Lowe of LIC survived.  The bodies of Edward Broderick of LIC and James Ryall of Job's Cove were not recovered.

The Evening Telegram August 22, 1891

1894 - Grates Cove

An interesting tale of a steamship.  The S.S. Calitro was built at Deptford England by John Laing and Co.  She was built for the Neptune Steam Navigation Co. Ltd. and launched in August 1892. Her official number was #99612.

The Delano (pictured above) was built the same year for the Neptune Steam Navagation Co. Ltd. and appears to have had the same specifications, other than the engine size.  So this is probably what the Calitro would have looked like.  I could not find any information on the Calitro other than her specs.

The Calitro set sail for Baltimore, Maryland Thursday May 10, 1894 carrying a load of cement and a few other items which were picked up in Rotterdam, Netherlands.  As they got closer to Newfoundland, they were encountering fog and very little visibility for four days.

When the Officers thought they were somewhere between Cape Race and Ferryland, they started doing depth soundings but could not strike bottom.  For this reason they carried on at a slow pace.
They were actually 100 miles north of where they thought they were.  Water was deeper the same distance from shore in this location.

Unfortunately they ran aground a short time later, but had no idea where they struck bottom.
The ship started to take on water so they decided to man the lifeboats.  Three lifeboats were launched.  Five people jumped into one boat, the rest got into the other two boats.  A short time after leaving the ship the lifeboat containing the five people ran aground as well, and had to be rescued by the other two lifeboats.

They somehow got to shore and made their way to the nearest settlement which was Grates Cove.
The Calitro had run aground between Red Head Cove and a place called Horse Fire Islands in Baccalieu tickle.  It's the first time I heard of the Horse Fire Islands.  Maybe a fisherman or somebody familiar with the area would know where this is located?

The crew head back to the Calitro to retrieve whatever belongings they could.  While attempting to board the ship the second officer and second engineer had to jump back into the water fearing the ship was going to tip over.  They had to be rescued from the water.

It appears that there was no loss of life and the Officers and Crew made it back home to safety.  They said they would never forget their ordeal in Newfoundland and the efforts of the community to help them out.

The Evening Telegram May 21, 1894

1894 - Red Lands

The schooner Otter was lost off Red Lands.  The crew was fishing in Baccalieu Tickle and the boat sprang a leak during a thunderstorm.  The crew decided to head into the backside of Bay de Verde and could not find the source of the leak. The next day they left for Hr. Grace to repair the damages but ran into bad weather which forced her to take shelter at Flamboro' Head. When she finally left for Hr. Grace, they rain into trouble off Red Lands which forced them to abandon the vessel and it sank shortly after.  The crew made it to safety but the boat and all it's equipment was lost.

The Evening Telegram September 2, 1894

1895 - Between Flambro' Head and Baccalieu

Another reported loss of an "old" schooner - over 20 years old. Capt. William Kent had set sail for Catalina from St. John's on the Othello.  It sounds like the old boat started to leak and filled up fairly quickly with water. Despite the crews best efforts to pump the water out through the night, they eventually had to abandon the vessel somewhere between Flambro' Head and Baccalieu Island.  It sank a short time later.  It appears that the crew made it to safety in Western Bay after a failed attempt to land in Northern Bay due to the rough seas.

1896 - Lower Island Cove

Some sad news reported from Lower Island Cove by A.G. Hudson.

There was a heavy sea running August 25th, 1896 and several fishing crews took their chances and decided to venture out on the water.  When the swells increased, the boats decided to row to Kettle Cove to find smoother waters.  During the row to Kettle Cove the weather seemed to subside and they decided to head back to Island Cove and try to land again.  The intention was to row further south to Job's Cove Droke if seas were still too bad.

Lower Island Cove never had much shelter from rough seas and winds - only the Island provided a little protection from the waves.  The breakwater located there today makes it a lot easier to get to shore.  But it is still a very tricky place to navigate a boat in rough seas, due to the narrow passage between the rocks and wharf.  "Cooper's wharf" area was probably where they were trying to land.  A little North of the existing government wharf and breakwater.

When Mr. Hezekiah Cooper's boat got back near Island Cove, some person on shore started to call out, telling the crew to land.  The other boats fishing that day appeared to carry on to Job's Cove, the crews deciding it was just too rough to land.  Mr. Hezekiah Cooper (45) and his Nephews Edward (20) and Charles (14) Cooper were drowned trying to make it back to land.  Hezekiah's Son and Stepson were rescued along with a young man named Northman.  Another boat was sent out to try and rescue the men, but it was no match for the big sea and driven back to the shore.

The Evening Telegram August 1896

1900 - Schooner Jewel - Salmon Cove

Reported that the schooner Jewel was destroyed when it ran aground at Salmon Cove sands with a quantity of fish aboard a few weeks before Christmas.  Eli Garland was the owner.

The Evening Telegram December 7, 1900

1908 - Flamborough Head

This is quiet the story of survival!

Skipper Bowring and his crew on the schooner Jane was heading back to Bay Roberts from St. John's when they encountered very high winds in Conception bay which put them off coarse and further north.  They decided to head for Flamborough Head to seek shelter from the high winds.  They made it to Flamborough Head and decided to drop a couple anchors.

The winds were so high, they feared that the anchors mooring their schooner would break, so they abandoned the schooner in their small boat and attempt to get to shore.  They got the small boat to shore and managed to hop onto a rock ledge.  The cliffs were so high they were unable to get off the ledge, and had to spend the night there with no supplies.  Anybody familiar with Flamborough Head  will know how high those cliffs are!

The Cliffs of Flamborough Head 2018

The next morning they discovered the small boat was broken up by the rocks and they were unable to get back to the schooner.  The good news was the schooner survived the storm and appeared to be in good order.  There's nothing reported about the crew being injured - or worse.

Residents of Kettle Cove spotted the schooner and noticed there was no movement on deck.  They dispatched a trap skiff and rowed in search of the crew.  The crew were rescued from the rock and tended to back in Kettle Cove.

The next day they safely made it back to Bay Roberts.

The Evening Telegram December 31, 1908

1912 - Kettle Cove

Yet another terrible accident reported by A.G. Hudson, March 22, 1912.

Elijah Snelgrove and his fishing partner George Snelgrove, along with their cousin William H. Snelgrove left Lower Island Cove in search for an anchor they lost the previous year at Kettle Cove.

While attempting to pull up the anchor, their boat somehow got caught up in the chain and flipped over, or the weight of the anchor pulled the boat under.  It's not certain what exactly happened.

It was reported that the boat could be seen 2 or 3 fathoms under the surface when they finally got out to the area.

All men were lost.

It's reported that Elijah was supposed join the ship Erna to the seal hunt, but it was delayed arriving in St. John's.  As a result he returned to Lower Island Cove and later drowned in this awful accident.

The Evening Telegram March 23, 1912

The accident is also reported in The James Ryan Diary in 1912:

The James Ryan Diary 1912

It appears they did recover the bodies a short time later

The Evening Telegram March 26, 1912

1912 - Schooner Adventure - Between Flambro Head & Bay de Verde

Report of the schooner Adventure being found and recovered.  It appeared to be in hard shape.

The Evening Telegram 1912

1921 - Various Locations

A big storm October 28, 1921 appeared to have caused a lot death and destruction along the shores of Conception and Trinity Bays including:

Schooner Passport: ashore at Caplin Cove - no bodies recovered

Schooner Prospector: Nathan Vokey master - total loss at Caplin Cove - crew safe

Schooner Pansy: William Frost master from Bay de Verde - total loss at Lower Island Cove - crew safe

Schooner Gordon: W.J. Johnson master - lost at Low Point - crew safe.

Schooner Galatea: E. Sturge master - ashore at Grate's Cove - crew safe

The Evening Telegram December 7, 1921

1929 - Crime on the Waters of Lower Island Cove?

It appears that Randell Garland - 27 years old - was drowned when his fishing boat was cut down by a motorboat.  The motorboat was manned by three men, and the event happened in Flamborough Head Cove (probably what we refer to today as the Flambro Head "Bite").  Fog was not present at the time so it sounds like this collision was a deliberate act.  Mr. Garland was out jigging this early morning when the event took place.

It was reported that the boat did not belong to LIC.  A hit and run - which turned out to be fatal.  Someone must have witnessed this happening from a distance - probably another fisherman out on the water.  Did they really not know the men in the boat?  Maybe they were afraid to report them out of fear.

An unsolved mystery?  Maybe some member of the Garland family may have heard of the event and can comment.

Details are scanty!

Harbor Grace Standard - July 26, 1929

1931 - Explosion on the S.S. Viking

Film crew near the SS Viking - From the Illustrated London News April 4, 1931

I found quite a few interesting articles and books regarding the the S.S. Viking explosion that happened in 1931 just off Horse Islands, off the Baie Verte Peninsula.   I noticed there was a Lower Island Cove connection to the vessel.  J. Wheeler from Lower Island Cove was a First Master-watch on the vessel.  Also a W. Johnston from Conception Bay was a Master-watch.  Good chance he was from LIC as well.

From Wikipedia:

Horse Islands became famous during the shooting of a Canadian movie, with financial backing from Paramount Pictures, The Viking, directed by Varick Frissell, a New York filmmaker. The movie was shot aboard the SS Viking and it was to feature the lives of Newfoundland Sealers.  On 15 March 1931, while the film crew were preparing to shoot background footage, the whole stern of the Viking was blown off by an explosion.  Viking caught fire and sank, killing Frissel and 26 other men.  Some of the survivors made the over-ice trek to Horse Islands, while some were rescued by other vessels dispatched to the area.



That concludes this blog post on Schooner and Boat losses.  I will add more information if I come across more.  Hope you enjoyed reading this, and email if you have anything to add or comments.  Thanks!  S.

Partridge Hunting

It appears that like today, partridge (ptarmigan) hunting was very popular in the late 1800s.  Sir William Whiteway and his Son were hunting on the Bay de Verde peninsula - between Bay de Verde and Ochre Pit Cove in the Fall of 1891.

Sir William Whiteway - Source Wikipedia

Sir William Whiteway was born in Littlehempston, Devon, England in 1828. He was the Premier of the "Colony of Newfoundland" for three terms: 1878-1885, 1889-1894 & 1895-1897.  His political party was Conservative up to 1885, and then switched to Liberal for the rest of his political career.

So his partridge hunting trip described below would have been in his 2nd term.  The Monarch at the time was Queen Victoria.

It's reported that they shot 69 brace of partridge - 138 birds.  I'm thinking, make no wonder the birds are scarce these days!  I'm also thinking the birds were thick, or he was a very good shot!

Evening Telegram - September 23, 1891

But hold on a minute!  The reports were false.  A follow up report the next day describes much lower numbers.  Not only that, he was hunting a different area! Only 22 brace (44 birds) at Ochre Pit Cove barrens.  Birds are reported as scarce!

It goes on to describe Kettle Cove Ridge as the prime spot to get a few birds.  Kettle Cove was next to Caplin Cove, so I'm assuming the ridge would be around the Monday Pond area, which is now pasture land where cattle roam.

William Carson appeared to have good luck hunting at Kettle Cove Ridge.  But a bit of research leads me to think this had to be a different William Carson than the CN Marine ferry M/V William Carson was named after. That William Carson (the renowned Doctor and Speaker of the Newfoundland House of Assembly) died in 1843.

Evening Telegram - September 24, 1891

It appears that the heavy hunting is taking is toll by the year 1899.  As reported below, birds are scarce.  Sounds like 80 birds was the "norm" around Kettle Cove Ridge when hunting was at it's peak.  From my research, the Squarey's appear to be a family that originated in Teignmouth and Shaldon, Devon - England. They were mariners and merchants that traded with Newfoundland, who eventually settled here.

Evening Telegram - September 27, 1899

 Hope you enjoyed reading about the partridge hunting.  Keep coming back for some more interesting LIC area history tidbits.

S.