Chapter XXIV: Appendix: E

_THE FISHING SCHOONERS_

I have spoken of these in a general way. Here are a few specimens of notes from our diaries as to numbers of crews and “freighters” carried.

B——. 34 tons. Crew, 7 men and 2 women.
Passengers, 19 men and 16 women.

A total of 44 souls. All passengers in one hold—no partitions. 23 days out from home.

F——. 19 tons. Crew, 6 men and 1 woman.
Passengers, 28 men and 15 women.

A total of 50 souls. No name or register on her.

I——. 50 tons. Crew, 8 men and 2 women.
Passengers, 75 men and 15 women.

A total of 100 souls. Measured cubic space of one man, his wife, boy, girl, and two men, 8 ft. by 6 ft. by 3 ft.

X——. _Brigantine_, 116 tons. 66 men, 24 women.

Y——. Small schooner-rigged vessel, 5 tons.
4 men, 1 woman, etc.

The larger merchants all send their crews down in steamers. This has the double advantage of securing better accommodation, and immensely shortening the passage. We are all strongly of the opinion that nothing can be said in defence of allowing girls to form part of the regular crews of the green-fish catchers, or of any fishing vessel. It appears to be necessary that women should go down as passengers; and with proper provisions there is no reason why they should not do so.

Here is the result of an accident to such a vessel this year. Unfortunately I did not ascertain her tonnage.

On Thursday, the 14th inst., we left Spaniard’s Bay, bound to Horse Harbour, Labrador, on a fishing voyage, having on board a number of sixty-two souls, comprising men, women, and children. All went well, until about eight miles north-east of Partridge Point (White Bay). On the 17th inst., at 4 p.m., Sunday, while in a dense fog, the vessel struck a large pan of ice, which crushed her bows in, causing her to fill and sink in about eight or ten minutes. Five or six men succeeded in getting on the pan of ice with a line, and secured it as best they could to the pan. Unfortunately it could not be secured on board, owing to the dreadful panic which was taking place; so she fell off a considerable distance from the pan, preventing any one from getting on the ice. A few boats were then thrown over, but before any one could be taken on board the boats, the vessel sank, leaving men, women and children floating among the wreckage in the water. Some of the few boats filled, and were upset, leaving only two to pick up the men, women and children, who were then struggling for their lives in the water. After a very hard fight we managed to save fifty (including who were in the boats), leaving twelve poor souls to meet a watery grave, namely, eight men, two boys, and two young women. Some of the women and children were almost totally naked, having jumped out of bed, and had not time to even catch their clothes. These would have undoubtedly died before many hours were over, as they were both wet and naked, had not the schooner _Irene_, Captain Bursey, of Catalina, arrived at this opportune moment, and quickly got us on board, and brought us into Coachman’s Cove.

I am, respectfully yours,
HENRY GOSSE,
Late Master of Schooner _Rose_.

SPANIARD’S BAY, _June 28th, 1894_.

Butler & Tanner, The Selwood Printing Works, Frome, and London.