Note 17 — Chapter IX

“Those were busy times in the town,” writes Mr. Charles Warman, of Liverpool. “Sailors and ship’s carpenters abounded. Nightly they would meet in some public-house, and many tales of interesting adventures were told, while often shipmates who had been separated for years, and had been to all parts of the globe, would come together and be joyful.

“Then vessels often went below the bar to complete loading—a thing practically unknown to-day, owing to the deepening of the channel—when the lumber would be rafted to them. If an easterly gale came upon them they had to hoist anchor and put back to the wharves. Occasionally from the storm there was the loss of ship and crew. As an instance, the barques Wave and Kate Campbell, that had lain below for some days completing cargoes, were caught and piled up, one near Sandy Cove, the other upon the Fort—both total wrecks, neither having ever been to sea. At that time a schooner from Newfoundland, bound west, had sought shelter here, and she also went ashore. Every one of its sailors was flung lifeless upon the beach. The loss of any craft to-day in the harbour is a rare occurrence.”