by Calvin Evans
Lucy bought the 32-year-old vessel in 1941 from a fisherman in Placentia Bay and sold it on May 11, 1943, to a fisherman at Change Islands. Another long-lasting ship.
Jessie Bragg, Port Union, Widow,1943-64, Marie Yvonne
Jessie was probably the widow of John Bragg, master mariner, who died in 1939, and the sister-in-law of Walter Bragg, mariner and executor of John’s estate, from whom she bought the vessel. The Marie Yvonne had been built in 1931 by Marie Amy Deveau of the Meteghan Shipbuilding Co. in Nova Scotia. Jessie sold the ship on May 19, 1964, having had it for a remarkable 21 years. She did not have a mortgage on the ship; the mariner and salesman of St. John’s who bought it had to take a mortgage.
Stella Louise Noseworthy, Fortune, Married, 1943-44, Clara Murray
1944-46, Helen G. McLean
The Clara Murray had been built at Fox Harbour, Placentia Bay, in 1907 by Frank Murray and rebuilt in 1927; Stella bought it on April 24, 1943, and sold it on January 31, 1944. The Helen G. McLean had been built in 1913 at Shelburne, Nova Scotia. Stella bought it on January 17, 1944, and sold it on April 20, 1946. Stella had a penchant for old ships.
Lillian Warr, Pilley’s Island, Widow, 1944, Nina L. V. Davis
Harold George Warr, merchant of Pilley’s Island, died on January 6, 1944. His will of July 18, 1930, appointed Lillian Warr as executrix. She renounced probate of the will, and Letters of Administration were granted to Reginald Willie Warr, merchant of Springdale, probably her son. This was the only case found in the ship registers of someone renouncing probate of a will.
Muriel Kendel, Ramea, Widow, 1944-45, Annie K.
John Kendel, fisherman, was the builder of this 11-ton vessel in 1936. He sold it in 1937 to John Kendel, Jr., who died without a will on April 24, 1942. Letters were granted to Muriel on April 24, 1944. She sold the vessel on June 6, 1945, to John Penny & Sons Ltd. of Ramea. Presumably the vessel was being used in the fishery from 1942 to 1945.
Pearl Goodyear, Carmanville, Widow, 1945, Radio City
The record on this ship is very unclear. Stewart Hindoo Goodyear, mariner of Carmanville, bought the 56-ton vessel from Job Bros. & Co. of St. John’s in November 1940. Job Bros. & Co. held a mortgage for the new owner and this was discharged in December 1944. Stewart Goodyear may have died but there is no reference to a death or a will. Instead Pearl Goodyear is listed as becoming the fourth owner of the ship on May 26, 1945, “under powers vested in her by Order of the Supreme Court of Newfoundland.” She sold the vessel the same day to Paul Prestwood Small, merchant of Bridgeport, Notre Dame Bay. Jane Bartlett of Rattling Brook had owned this ship from 1935 to 1936.
Catherine Jane Symes, Rencontre West, Married, 1945-46, Merle and Agatha
This ship had been built at White Head, Nova Scotia, in 1929 and bought by Arthur M. Symes of Rencontre West in 1944. On March 10, 1945, he sold it to Catherine Jane, and she sold it on January 4, 1946, to Job Bros. & Co. Ltd. at St. John’s.
Fredrica Hunt, Fair Island, Married, 1946-47, Maggie Stone
The Maggie Stone had been built in Lunenberg, Nova Scotia, in 1907 and rebuilt in 1925 by Emanuel Stone at Monroe, Trinity Bay. It was named for Emanuel’s wife, Margaret. Fredrica Hunt bought the ship from Vincent James Guy, merchant at Catalina, on May 23, 1946, and sold it on May 31, 1947, to S. W. Mifflin Ltd., merchant at Catalina. Margaret Stone had owned 11 shares in this ship from 1907 to 1918.
Annie Sheaves, Port aux Basques, Married, 1946-47, Bessie Louise
Annie bought this ship on March 1, 1946, from S. W. Mifflin, merchant of Catalina, and sold it on May 29, 1947, to Harvey Taker of Grand Entry, Magdalen Islands. George Sheaves and Annie had a small business in Port aux Basques. They later moved to North Sydney.
Helen Rosina Amelia Monroe, St. John’s, Married, 1947-, Zipper
The Zipper had been built in 1943 at South Rondout, New York, and was originally named the Chauvenet. Within 23 days after she had bought it on October 7, 1947, Helen Rosina sold the ship to Zipper Ltd., St. John’s. This may have been a business firm under the Monroe firm’s control. Arthur Harvey Monroe bought the ship on May 12, 1947, and sold it to Helen five months later.
Amelia Foote Patten, Grand Bank, Married, 1947-55, Miss Glenburnie
Amelia was the daughter of Robert and Sarah Dunford. Her husband was Howard Patten, who was a prominent businessman in Grand Bank. One month after purchasing the Miss Glenburnie, Amelia had alterations made to the ship and an engine installed. Her ship was cut down and became a total loss near Egg Island Buoy on the Nova Scotia coast on May 24, 1955. Amelia died in 1972 at age 72.
Lucy Ella Piercey, Grand Bank, Widow, 1948, Ariel
1948-55, Harold Guy
Samuel Piercey, merchant of Grand Bank, died on January 1, 1948. Lucy Ella and Elic Forward Piercey, merchant, were appointed executors through Samuel’s will dated January 29, 1937. They sold the Ariel to Samuel Piercey Evans, student. Two months later the vessel caught fire near Bay Bulls and was abandoned and then towed to St. John’s where it became a constructive total loss. The Ariel had been built in 1921 in Sureines, France.
Lucy Ella and Elic Forward Piercey did not apply for probate concerning the Harold Guy until January 22, 1955; they then sold the ship three months later. The ship must have been in use during that seven-year period.
Hilda Mary Tibbo, Harbour Breton, Widow, 1950-51, Myra Kathleen
William Tibbo, Sr., mariner, died intestate on March 30, 1950, and Letters of Administration were granted to Hilda Mary on October 5, 1950. She sold the ship exactly one year later, on October 5, 1951. Hilda Mary was William’s second wife and was only 14 years old when they married. For years William operated a passenger boat named the Hilda M. between Harbour Breton and Grand Bank. He also owned a schooner named the M. V. Minnie Pearl, and Frances Jensen’s husband, Hermon, operated a store on this schooner. Frances (“Fan”) accompanied her husband on these coasting ventures and they brought home “boxes of money” at the end of each venture. Hilda Mary Tibbo later moved to Grand Bank and married George Crant.
Edith Blanche Bishop, Wesleyville & St. John’s, Widow, 1950-52, Lloyd Jack
Eldon Bishop, fisherman of Wesleyville, died without a will on July 16, 1950. Letters of Administration were granted to Edith on May 2, 1952. At that time she was residing in St. John’s. The vessel was lost at Shambler’s Cove, Bonavista Bay, July 14, 1952; it was being operated at the time by W. J. Pittman of Pilley’s Island.
Audrey Day, Gaultois, Married, 1951-, Willie & Ross
Audrey bought this ship on August 23, 1951, from Archibald Billard, fisherman of Grand Bruit. The registry closed on this vessel September 10, 1968. It had been lost at sea some years previously.
Evelyn Ruth Hann, Wesleyville, Married, 1952-53, Redwing Chief
Jesse Hann, insurance underwriter of Wesleyville, died without a will on January 5, 1951. Letters of Administration were granted to Lloyd George Hann, manager. Evelyn Ruth Hann bought the vessel on March 31, 1952, and appointed Lloyd George Hann as “the person to whom the management of the vessel is entrusted by and on behalf of the owner.” The ship burnt and became a total loss at Hermit Cove, Bonavista Bay, on December 2, 1953. Evelyn Ruth informed the registrar’s office in writing.
Frances Mary Grandy, Garnish, Married, 1952-55, Earl John Miller
Frances bought the ship on December 11, 1952, from Thomas Grandy, mariner of Garnish. She appointed Thomas as “the person to whom the management of the vessel is entrusted by or on behalf of the owner.” In October 1955 she sold the ship to John Rose, mariner of North Sydney. In August 1958 the ship was bought by Marion Emerson White, married woman of Murray Harbour, Prince Edward Island.
Bridget Power, Little Bay, Marystown, Married, 1953-55, Lucy & Melinda
Bridget bought the ship on January 16, 1953, from three fishermen of Little Bay by the name of Power. On January 28, 1953, she appointed John Patrick Power, one of the fishermen from whom she bought it, as “the person to whom the management of the vessel has been
entrusted by or on behalf of the owner.” The vessel went ashore at the entrance to St. Pierre on November 5, 1955, and became a constructive loss.
Irene May Saunders, Cobbs Arm, Married, 1959-60, Fortunegull
Irene May bought the ship, probably in 1959, from Oliver Saunders, fisherman of Cobbs Arm. On December 8, 1959, “advice under the hand of Irene May Saunders” was received at the registrar’s office, appointing Oliver “ship’s Husband.” The vessel ran ashore on Shallop Rock off Noggin Cove, Notre Dame Bay, and became a total loss on November 7, 1960. “Advice received from owner” by the registrar.
Gladys Irene Newman, Petites, Married, 1960-63, Ralph & Bob
Robert Allan Newman, merchant of Petites, sold the ship to Gladys Irene on December 17, 1960. She appointed Robert as managing owner of the ship. The ship was sold to United States citizens, but probably by a later owner; the registry closed in 1968.
Mary Ellen Grace Moores, St. John’s, Married, 1960-72, Tedcap
The 2-ton yacht had been built in 1945 in Upper La Have, Nova Scotia, and had formerly been called the Kayfra. Mary Moores bought the yacht on April 20, 1960, and informed the registrar’s office on April 28 that she was appointing herself as managing owner. She sold the ship on June 9, 1972.
Gladys Marion Wiscombe, Creston, Widow, 1961-65,J. W. Wiscombe
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.
Joint Owners
Owner, Place, Status/Occupation, Date, Name of Ship
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, W
hite 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.
