Category Archives: Archival Moments

Two Friends on the Battlefield

ARCHIVAL MOMENT

November 11

National War Memorail, St. John’s, Newfoundland

Two Friends on the Battlefield

In October 1915 a young student at St. Bonaventure’s College, P.J. Kennedy, who was later to become a priest in the Archdiocese of St. John’s, Newfoundland, observed:

“On Thursday, October 1, the Catholic members (of the First Newfoundland Regiment) went in a body to Confession and Communion. It was an impressive sight to see this touching portrayal of Catholic faith hown forth in that hour of trial and excitement… [Two days later] on October 3… the line of march to the Florizel [the ship that was to take them to the battlefields] was lined by thousands of spectators.

Heartbroken parents said a fond goodbye to sons whom they had looked forward to as support and comfort in old age…”

Having trained for war together they also died together. It must not be forgotten that these boys (and many were in their teens) had been friends for life, they had grown up in the same neighborhoods, gone to the same schools, played on the same sports teams. When death knocked it was not impersonal.

An obituary for a 17‑year‑old Private Gordon A. Mullings tells of the friendship and bonds that developed between these young men. The obituary published in the Adelphian, the school journal of St. Bonaventure’s College, St. John’s reads:

“Amongst the gallant young soldiers (that served with Gordon A. Mullings) was his school chum, Jack Oliphant. The boys’ attachment ripened under the associations of barrack, camp, trench and battle, into a romantic soldierly friendship. The two young men set sail together from St. John’s.

They fought side by side in France and were wounded about the same time. On the very day that Gordon arrived in Scotland from hospital he found that Jack had already recovered from his wounds and had been picked in the draft to return to France. He immediately begged the O.C. for permission to accompany his chum and on December 30 the two young St. Bon’s Boys found themselves once again in the war zone surrounded by the grim realities of the modern battlefield.

Just three weeks later the golden cord which bound the two friends were parted for on January 20, Gordon made the supreme sacrifice of his life for the cause of the Empire, but love ceases not with the grave, Christian hope whispers of a reunion which will know nothing of separation..” (St. Bonaventure’s College, Adelphian, St. John’s, NL. March 1917 page 46)

Recommended Archival Collection: Over 6000 men enlisted in the Newfoundland Regiment during WWI. Each soldier had his own story. Each story is compelling. To read some of these stories go to: http://www.therooms.ca/regiment/part3_database.asp click on soldiers at the top centre. Find a soldier from your home community or with your family name. Read his life story.

Recommended Song: Great Big Sea: Recruiting Sergeant http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knxR-Q2VoBE

Recommended Book: Browne, Gary. Forget-Me-Not: Fallen Boy Soldiers: Royal Newfoundland Regiment World War One,St. John’s, DRC Publishing, 2010.

Newfoundland soldier, actor and face of the British Legion

Archival Moment

October 25, 2013

Cassisy Little is originally from Newfoundland

Lance Corporal Cassidy Little who grew up in Newfoundland is one of the faces of the British Legion’s Remembrance Programs, in particular, their poppy program.

Lance Corporal Little is the son of St. John’s business woman Elaine Hann, owner – operator of St. John’s Executive Apartments. Cassidy originally went to London, England in 2004 to pursue a career in acting; he opted instead to join the Royal Marines in 2005, completing his first deployment in Afghanistan shortly after.

He was retrained as a commando medic and, during his second tour of Afghanistan in 2011, Lance Corporal Little, while on patrol, was injured in a deadly IED explosion that resulted in multiple casualties and two deaths.

Since then, Lance Corporal Little has undergone extensive rehabilitation and joined Hasler Company – the Royal Marines unit for injured personnel.

Little is known for his sense of humor. Asked what he said as he lay injured after an IED attack in Afghanistan, he said: “I woke up and asked if the leg was still there. And the guy said, ‘no, sorry it’s gone, taken clean off.’ And so I said, ‘there goes my dancing days.”

Life for Little has gone full circle. Having gone to London to explore an acting career he now finds himself back on the stage.

Little participated in a theatre project run jointly by the Royal British Legion and The Theatre Royal Haymarket Masterclass Trust to aid the recovery of wounded, injured and sick Service personnel, playing the lead role in the ‘Two Worlds of Charlie F’, an original play created through the project and based on the real experiences of the personnel.

Cassidy said: “The theatre project funded by The Royal British Legion was a turning point in my recovery. While the medical teams put my body back together, taking part in the play ‘Two Worlds of Charlie F’ gave me back my self-esteem and confidence when it was at its lowest ebb.”

The play starring Cassidy and other real-life British soldiers tells the story of their experiences fighting in Afghanistan. Mirvish Productions in Toronto announced last week that, The Two Worlds of Charlie F — the little play that turned into a big phenomenon — is coming to Toronto next year. It will run Feb. 25 to March 9 at the prestigious Princess of Wales Theatre. The play has been described as “literally changing lives.”

Listen and watch Cassidy Little tell his story: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imrJ4s1N9uU

Recommended Website: To learn more about the British Legion’s Remembrance Programs.: http://www.britishlegion.org.uk/news-events/news/poppy-appeal/national-poppy-appeal-launch

Spanish Naval officers remember countrymen who died in Newfoundland waters

ARCHIVAL MOMENT

October 12, 2013

Florizel Memorial with the names of the Spanish seamen who perished at Mount Carmel Cemetery, St. John’s.

Spanish naval officers in St. John’s will be observing ‘Hispanic Day’ on Saturday, October 12 with a memorial service at Mount Carmel Cemetery. The members of the Spanish navy will be remembering 15 Spanish sailors who died in the sinking of the Florizel of Cappahayden, NL in 1918.

October 12 in Spain is known as Día de la Raza or National Day of Spain. This day unites all Spanish speaking nations and cultures in celebration with memorials, parades, dances and food. October 12, 1492, is also the day that Christopher Columbus stepped foot on the new world marking the moment of the first encounter between Europeans and America.

The memorial service for the 15 Spanish victims of the Florizel will be the second at the memorial grave site by Spanish government officials. Approximately 20 Spanish naval officers and friends will parade to the grave site and raise the national flag of Spain to remember their countrymen.

The Florizel left St. John’s on 23 February 1918, for Halifax and then on to New York, . among the passengers were many prominent St. John’s businessmen. Shortly after the vessel left port the weather turned nasty and after nine hours of steaming southward the Florizel crashed full speed into the rocks off Cappahayden on the Southern Shore. Ninety-three (93) crew and passengers perished, while 44 were miraculously rescued after 27 hours spent braving punishing seas and bitter cold. One of the passengers on this ship was a three year old little girl named Betty Munn who was sailing with her father; she was torn from his arms in this disaster. In memory of her death there is a statue of Peter Pan (the fairy tale she loved most) in BowringPark.

MOUNT CARMEL CEMETERY MEMORIAL

Most of the Spanish sailors working on the Florizel worked as firemen. The Spaniard’s were the men responsible for keeping the coal feed to the engine furnace of the Florizel. ‘Stoker’ and ‘fireman’ are two different titles for the same job, but the term ‘fireman’ is almost exclusively used on ships.

Given their place on the Florizel at the time of impact they would have been among the first to die. They were:

RAMON REZ- Messroom Stewart,Spain.

ORESCARIE- Fireman,Spain

JOSE FERNANDEZ- Fireman,Spain

JOSE MENDEZ- Fireman,Spain

TOMAS GARCIA- Fireman,Spain

FRANCISCO SERNO-Fireman,Spain

MANUEL TAVER- Fireman,Spain.

MANUEL RODRIQUEZ- Fireman.Spain

ALEZANDRO GARNCERO- Fireman,Spain

FRANCISCO NARTIN- FiremanSpain

GERADO RODIQUEZ- Fireman,Spain

JOSE VILA- Fireman,Spain.

F. BEQUIRA- Fireman,Spain

E. RODRIQUES- Fireman,Spain.

FRANCISCO FORNAS, fireman,Spain. (Body not recovered)

The service will begin at 11:00 a.m. at Mount Carmel Cemetery located at Kennas Hill and Logy Bay Road. All are welcome.

(Please forward this notice to friends and family who may have some connection to the Florizel Disaster. The full list of the passengers and crew of the ill-fated Florizel are: http://www.newfoundlandshipwrecks.com/Florizel/Documents/list_lost_and_saved_crew.htm

Recommended Archival Collection: GN 123: Take some time to come to visit the Provincial Archives at The Rooms and explore the seven volumes of typed transcripts, passenger lists, a list of the crew and passengers lost, manifests and customs clearance, the Florizel crew agreements and the report of the Minister of Marine and Fisheries regarding the wreck of the Florizel.

Recommended Reading: A Winter’s Tale: The Wreck of the Florizel By Cassie Brown, Flanker Press, 1997.

Newfoundland delegation begins to talk terms of union

ARCHIVAL MOMENT

October 6, 1948

Photo Credit: The Rooms Provincial Archives: GN 175; Terms of Union of Newfoundland with Canada (signatures)

On this day (6 October 1948) a seven-member delegation from Newfoundland began discussions in Ottawa concerning the possible terms for the entry of Newfoundland into the Canadian Confederation.

The delegation arrived in Ottawa with the authority to speak for all Newfoundlanders because of a referendum vote taken in 22 July 1948 that saw Confederation gain 78,323 votes (52.3 percent) and Responsible government receive 71,334 votes (47.7 percent).

On 30 July 1948, the Prime Minister of Canada announced that the result of the referendum was “clear and beyond all possibility of misunderstanding”, and that it was welcomed by the Government of Canada. He added that the Government would be “glad to receive with the least possible delay authorized representatives of Newfoundland” to negotiate Terms of Union.

After several months of negotiations, agreement was finally reached and “Terms of Union” between Newfoundland and Canada were formally signed on 11 December 1948. Canadian Prime Minister Louis St. Laurent and Defence Minister Brooke Claxton joined six of the seven Newfoundland delegates – Sir Albert Walsh, F. Gordon Bradley, Philip Gruchy, John B. McEvoy, Joseph R. Smallwood and Gordon A. Winter (Chesley Crosbie refused to sign) – in appending their names to the document.

Recommended Archival Collection: At the Provincial Archives Division at The Rooms explore GN 154.1 this collection consists of minutes of 41 meetings of the Newfoundland Delegation held at the Colonial Building, St. John’s, between 24 August and 24 September 1948, prior to the delegation’s de

Recommended Museum Visit: At The Rooms Provincial Museum visit the exhibit Here, We Made a Home in The Elinor Gill Ratcliffe Gallery – Level 4. This exhibit highlights some of the artifacts associated with the Confederation debates including the terms of union.

Old Home Week, 1904

ARCHIVAL MOMENT

October 5, 1903

: Photo Credit: The Rooms Provincial Archives Division 1.502.050 A Regatta crowd on the north side slopes of Quidi Vidi Lake. One of the events held during Old Home Week, 1904

On October 5, 1903 James J McAuliffe of Everett, Mass. U.S.A. wrote the Catholic bishop of St. John’s, Michael Francis Howley.

McAuliffe was born in St. John’s in 1848 and emigrated to Boston in 1866 to study at the Boston Art School. As a young artist he established a reputation as a “marine water color artist” but also did some “fine religious pictures”.

In his letter he reminded the bishop that he had made a substantial contribution to the Cathedral (now Basilica) with his painting of ‘Ecce Homo” (Behold the Man) that he presented to the Cathedral and the people of St. John’sin 1899. The large painting contained 75 life size figures showing Christ before Pilate and hung on the west aisle of the Cathedral.

TOURISM

McAuliffe who had never forgotten his Newfoundland roots was passionate about promoting the colony. He lectured on a regular basis in the “Boston States” at clubs frequented by Newfoundlanders.

During this time (1903-1905) it is estimated that there were 11,000 Newfoundlanders in the Boston States. Many frequented the Newfoundland social clubs in theBoston area that were founded for and by Newfoundlanders including: the Cabot Club (1899), the Boston Terra Novian Association (1865), Newfoundlanders Mutual Benefit Association (NMBA) (1891), the United Sons of Terra Nova (1904) and the Avalon Society (1905).

In October 1903 McAuliffe was very active in promoting “Old Home Week” that was to take place the following year. He suggested that the Old Home Week would not only provide “a great source of revenue” for Newfoundland, but it would also promote a “spirit of patriotism” and be a means of “rolling back the clouds of misrepresentation and calumny indulged in by some of the representatives of the foreign press”. It would also, he argued, be a means of spreading tourist information about the country.

Old Home Week took place from 3-10 August 1904 and attracted some 600 ex-Newfoundland residents from the United States.

A VISIT TO THE CATHEDRAL

McAuliffe would have visited the Cathedral (now Basilica) with his friends from the “Boston States” to see his painting (Ecce Homo) that hung in the west aisle of the Cathedral. Today he would be most disappointed!! His large painting is missing, likely removed for the renovations to the Basilica in 1954.

Only one of his paintings remains in the province described as a “fine painting” it depicts John Cabot’s entry in to the harbor of St. John’s. It was regarded as one of his masterpieces.” This painting is now in a private collection in St. John’s.

James J. McAuliffe, the great promoter of Newfoundland died in his adopted Boston States in August 1921.

Recommended Tour: Immerse yourself in our culture at Newfoundland and Labrador’s largest public cultural space. It’s the place where it all comes together – our history, heritage and artistic expression. The Rooms unites the Provincial Archives, Art Gallery and Museum. A place for people, The Rooms is a portal to the many stories our province has to tell.

Recommended Reading: Newfoundlanders in the Boston States: Newfoundland Studies 6, 1 (1990) see http://journals.hil.unb.ca/index.php/NFLDS/article/view/894

That ‘chaw’ trying to make a big fellow of himself … in the lock up ”

Archival Moments

September 19, 1882

A prison cell is no place for a ‘chaw’.

St. John’s, NL is known internationally as a “party” city. The iconic George Street is on the itinerary of every tourist. Unfortunately, however, when large numbers gather and alcohol is involved trouble follows. But did you know that night life in St. John’s is tame today compared to what it was in the 1880’s.

In the 1880’s the court reporters for the city newspapers were busy reporting on multiple arrests for drunkenness and fighting, typically there would be seven to thirteen individuals thrown into the “Lock up” on any given weekend night, this pales in comparison to the one or two that we get today.

With so many people being arrested for disorderly conduct and other related alcohol charges in September 1882 the condition of the “Lock up” became such a concern that the Editor of the Evening Telegram penned an editorial about the deplorable conditions. The editorialist wrote:

“Attention has been frequently called to the condition and insufficient accommodation of our Lock up. This place, that is proved by the government for the temporary detention of prisoners, has time after time been found most injurious of the health of its occupants. Deaths have occurred there. In consequence of which a want of proper attention has been attributed to the police authorities; but no blame could attach to them, as it was not through their fault that such sad events have taken place.”

The “Lock Up” the newspaper reporter suggested because of its size was a breathing ground for “fighting and disorderly conduct.” The editorial stated:

“As the Lock up is at present situated, it contains four small and dark cells, and as many as eighteen prisoners have been confined to them, at one and the same time. It no wonder then, we find huddled together in a small space, the greater number who are doubtless excited through the influence of strong drink. Last night seven prisoners confined to those four cells, on Sunday morning last here were thirteen having been arrested for the usual offences of drunkenness and disorderly conduct.”

It appears that some of the men who were arrested liked their peace and quiet in the ‘lock up.’ One night In September 1882 a man named Neagle of Riverhead (west end of St. John’s) who was found fighting on the street was taken into custody and was placed in a cell with the “indomitable Andrew Kearney” who had been arrested for being incapable of taking proper care of himself.

Kearney was not amused with his very talkative roommate and his pleas for him to be quite fell on deaf ears. About 2 o’clock in the morning Kearney had had enough and gave Neagle a black eye and a bloody nose. Asked by the constable why he had beaten his cell mate Kearney stated:

“that that “chaw” whoever he was, was trying to make a big fellow of himself.”

His Worship (Judge Prowse) was most displeased with the two men. Andy Kearney was given twenty days imprisonment for his assault in the cells, and Neagle got fifty days for striking the constable earlier in the evening. In imposing the sentence Judge Prowse stated “that any person who would raise his hand against policemen would be punished by him with the utmost severity.”

The calls for reform to improve the “lock up” with its “four small dark cells” also fell on deaf ears. The “lock up” remained home to all those who broke the law until the Great Fire 1892.

Recommended Archival Collection: The Evening Telegram and other newspapers give very detailed accounts of all citizens that were arrested. It might be interesting to explore to see if you will find an ancestor in the “lock up.”

Lost Word Meaning: Chaw: a talkative person. Example: Terry is a fine young man, / But he has a lot of ‘chaw,’ /

Newfoundland Expression: “More chaw than a sheep’s head” refers to one who talks too much.

Chaw Bag – Newfoundland and Labrador Language Lessons. Watch This: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBOgkY02Q-c

Catholics forbidden to join union

ARCHIVAL MOMENT

September 19, 1913

William Ford Coaker (1871-1938) ended an hour-long speech to a group of fishermen at the Orange Hall in Herring Neck by asking those who wished to form a fishermen’s union to stay behind. Nineteen did, and thus, the Fishermen’s Protective Union (FPU) was founded that evening, November 3, 1908.

The FPU, under Coaker’s leadership as president, became a dynamic social, economic and political force unlike anything previously witnessed in the Colony. Never before had there been a serious attempt to organize fishermen, in a movement to challenge the established order.

Two other fishermen’s organizations extant in this period were little more than social and fraternal societies organized along religious lines: the Star of the Sea Association was a Catholic club that existed primarily in St. John’s while the Society of United Fishermen was an Anglican benevolent society.

The Roman Catholic Archbishop of St. John’s Michael Francis Howley was not at all receptive to the idea of a fishermen’s union. On September 19, 1913 he had a notice posted in all the churches in the Placentia District, forbidding all Catholics from joining or having anything whatever to do with Coaker’sUnion.

Coaker quickly realized that he would need the support of the bishop if he was to get his union established in Placentia Bay. Coaker’s officials met with church officials convincing them that a line in the FPU constitution that implied that members had to take a secret oath in order to become union members was not true.

On September 29, 1913 upon hearing that Coaker had altered the constitution of the FPU, Howley immediately withdrew his condemnation and allowed Catholics to join.

Coaker was instrumental in establishing Port Union, Canada’s only union-built town, created in 1916 by the Fishermen’s Protective Union (FPU). The town became the centre of the FPU’s business, which included the Fishermen’s Union Trading Company, a weekly newspaper called the Fishermen’s Advocate, a retail store that served 40 outlets in other communities, a salt-fish plant with electric dryers and many other businesses and amenities. He was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire for his work with fishermen.

Recommended Website: Formation of the Fishermen’s Protective Union: http://www.mun.ca/mha/fpu/fpu18.php

Recommended Reading: McDonald, Ian D.H., “To Each His Own”: William Coaker and the Fishermen’s Protective Union in Newfoundland Politics, 1908-1925.St. John’s:Institute ofSocial and Economic Research,MemorialUniversity ofNewfoundland, 1987.

Recommended Song: We are Coming, Mr Coaker: http://www.wtv-zone.com/phyrst/audio/nfld/26/coaker.htm

“The last livyer of Red Island, Placentia Bay”

Archival Moment

“I did not want her to be left alone.”

September 12, 2013

Jimmy Corrigan (far right) is going home to Red Island.

James “Jimmy” Corrigan, age 80 years went home to Red Island, Placentia Bay for the final time on September 12, 2013. “Jimmy” who died on September 9 asked that he be returned to his beloved Island home to be buried next to his mother.

Jimmy told friends that he wanted to be buried home on Red Island to “keep company” with his mother Mary (nee Barry) Corrigan who was buried there many years ago. He told friends, “I did not want her to be left alone.”

Red island is one of the many Islands in Placentia Bay that were part of the resettlement program in Newfoundland in the 1960’s. The program saw families move from isolated, often island communities, to what the provincial government called growth centers. Families began moving from Red Island in 1966 and by the fall of 1968 it was practically deserted.

He has gone home to his beloved Red Island

Jimmy Corrigan resisted the move. He held title to his land and the right to prosecute the fishery from his fishing premises. To subsidize his income he maintained a small herd of sheep. He was the unofficial keeper of the island, including the guardian of the cemetery where he was buried.

In 1992 with the introduction cod moratorium he became the last livyer on Red Island.

He continued to return to Red Island for most of the summer and part of the fall until 2010 when he was diagnosed with cancer. Since 2010 his deteriorating health allowed him to make only occasional short visits.

His burial in the cemetery on Red Island was the the the first since 1968. Many residents of the Placenta area say he will be the last to be buried there.

Immediately following the mass of Christian burial at Sacred Heart Church, Placentia family and friends gathered to take him home. Dominic and Doreen (Dohey) Traverse lead a procession to the public wharf where he was placed in a fishing boat.

Five vessels joined the flotilla carrying approximately 130 friends to bring Jimmy back home to Red Island.

“So, tonight the west moon hangs over the harbour,

Shines down ‘cross the headland and out ‘cross the bay,

Shines down through the trees and rests on the graveyard,

As if lookin’ for the souls of the ones moved away.”

Recommended Museum Exhibit: The Rooms Provincial Museum Division, Here, We Made a Home: The Elinor Gill Ratcliffe Gallery, Level 4. One of the exhibit cases focuses on the official Resettlement Program of the province using artifacts and photographs.

Recommended Song: West Moon : Recorded by Pat Byrne (Towards The Sunset / Pat and Joe Byrne with Baxter Wareham 1983, Pigeon Inlet Productions, St. John’s, NL. http://www.wtv-zone.com/phyrst/audio/nfld/01/west.htm

Recommended Reading: West Moon by All Pittman. Breakwater Books, 1995 – Drama – 63 pages. West Moon is set in Newfoundland during the time of resettlement in the mid-1960s. Though the play explores some serious social, political, moral, and theological themes, it does so with a unique blend of pathos and humor. Though the characters are dead and subject to different degrees of despair, they come vigorously alive as we meet them, for a brief while, within the confines of their mortality.

Obituary:

Corrigan, James Joseph – Dec 5, 1932 – Sept 9, 2013, Age 80 years. Passed away at the Placentia Health Care Center, surround by love on Sept 9, 2013, Jimmy Corrigan formerly of Red Island, Placentia Bay. Predeceased by his father John, mother Mary (nee Barry), brother- in- law Tom Cheeseman, and nephew Gerard Cheeseman. Left with precious memories are his beautiful sister Elizabeth and her children Terry, Doris (Bill Carroll), Diane (Ron Brewer), Willis and Norman Cheeseman and their families, also cherished by his other family Dominic and Doreen Traverse, and their children Peter and Christopher, where he resided and was loved. Also heartbroken are his special friends Nick Traverse (Janet Jones) , all of the Traverse family and a large circle of friends, too many to mention. Waking at Coombs Funeral Home, Placentia on Tuesday and Wednesday from 2:00 – 9:00, Mass of Christian Burial to take place on Thursday September 12, 2013 at Sacred Heart Church, Placentia at 10:00 a.m. Flowers gratefully accepted or donations may be made in his memory to the Sacred Heart Church Repair Fund.

Seven Placentia Giants at the Regatta

Archival Moments

August 9, 1877

Seven Placentia Giants, 1877.

The talk in St. John’s in the days approaching Regatta Day in 1877 was all about a crew of fisherman from Placentia daring to compete for supremacy on the historic waters of Quidi Vidi Lake.

In 1877, Mr. Edward Sinnot a businessman of Placentia, assembled a crew of six strapping fishermen, all over 6 feet tall. Phillip Morrissey, Daniel Morrissey, Patrick Morrissey, John Morrissey, Moses Morrissey, and James Whelan. Sinnott would act as coxswain.

On Saturday night, August 4th, the crew hoisted their boat on their shoulders and left Placentia to walk the 90 miles to St. John’s. The trail was a rough one through the woods, as there was no road. The press in St. John’s and the public anxiously awaited their arrival.

The St. John’s newspaper the Morning Chronicle reported on, August 7, 1877

“We have no doubt that their brother fishermen in St. John’s and the neighbouring outports will accord to them a hearty welcome, and in the friendly contest of Thursday (Regatta Day) next willingly concede to them all the immunities of honorable rivalry.”

Expectations on how the ‘Placentia Giants” would do was low. In a letter to the Editor of the Morning Chronicle on August 9^th it was written:

“As they have had pluck to start I trust they will make a favorable show; but it is hard to expect men who have had no practice, and who are unaccustomed to the pond, to match men like you have here in St. John’s – well practiced and acquainted with the race course. I merely mention this to show that they will be contending against big odds. I do not mean to throw anything like disparagement on the men; they are good strapping fellows, no doubt, and deserve great credit for breaking the way for others to follow their plucky footsteps in the future.”

The great Race of Regatta day, August 9th, was the “Fisherman’s Race.” Seven boats entered, the competing crews came from Torbay, Outer Cove, Harbour Grace, Placentia, St. John’s and a British Warship that was in port.

The Morning Chronicle of August 11th describes the race:

“The Placentia crew in their own boat walked beautifully over the course and won the Prince of Wales first prize. The famous Outer Cove crew of last year were left far away behind, and proved that even their magnificent rowing could not retrieve the reputation of a boat whose natural propensity to push all before her seem insuperable.”

For rowing the quickest time of the day, the crew of the “Placentia” were awarded a bonus of $10. The victory was the cause of great excitement and Governor Musgrave asked to have the seven visitors brought to him so he could give each a gold sovereign.

With their moment of glory over, the victorious crew lifted their boat to their shoulders and walked home with it.

The Placentia crew quickly became known as as the ‘Seven Placentia Giants’.”

This tremendous feat was replicated in 1977 by the Placentia Lions who once again carried a boat to St. John’s and won the Championship. It marked the second straight year that the Lions Crew had won the Triple Crown of Rowing, meaning they had won the men’s senior Championship in all three fixed-seat rowing Regattas (Placentia, Harbour Grace and St. John’s.)

Recommended Archival Collection: At the Rooms Provincial Archives Division take some time to look at “The Rowing” Series which consists of 212 b&w photographs predominantly of the Royal St. John’s Regatta races and crews, The photographs include team portraits, races underway, presentation of awards and views of the people along the shore of Quidi Vidi Lake.

Recommended Museum: Special tours and visitation to the Royal Regatta Museum are available upon request. If you wish to make a special appointment to visit the Museum, please call the Boathouse at: (709) 576 – 8921. (Note: Research and writing for this Archival Movement was completed by John O’Mara.)

Recommended Web Site: The Royal St. John’s Regatta: http://regatta.nlpl.ca/php/home.php

Recommended tune (Listen): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNVQdwzMKpA

Catholics eat meat at St. John’s Regatta?

Archival Moment

August 6, 1964

Photo Credit: The Rooms Provincial Archives 1.502.050A; Regatta crowd on the north side slopes of Quidi Vidi Lake during Come Home Year Regatta

On Thursday, August 6, 1964, Father Dermot O’Keefe, Secretary to Archbishop Patrick J. Skinner, Roman Catholic Archbishop of St. John’s contacted all of the local radio stations and newspapers with the important announcement that he (the Archbishop)

“has granted a general dispensation from the law of abstinence from meat on tomorrow (Friday, August 7^th) to all Roman Catholics in all parishes of the Archdiocese of St. John’s.”

The Archbishop stated “Meat is therefore permitted as often as desired on this Friday, whether the Regatta is held or not.”

In the Roman Catholic Church their are certain disciplinary observances that were encouraged. On Friday’s, Christians are encouraged to fast. That fast takes the form of avoiding meat in the diet.

With the Regatta cancelled because of inclement weather on Wednesday, August 5, 1964 and the weather not looking good for Thursday, August 6, 1964 Archbishop Skinner insisted that the “law of abstinence from meat on Friday, August 7, 1964 be dispensed.”

With the law dispensed Roman Catholics could stand at Quid Vidi Lake enjoying the Regatta with hotdogs and hamburgers in hand with the rest of the population.

Recommended Reading: A Day at the Races: Mysteries of the Royal St. John’s Regatta, 2003 by Jack FitzGerald

Recommended Archival Collection: At The Rooms, Provincial Archives Division take some time to look at VA 61: Souvenir 1912 Regatta, St. John’s, Newfoundland / photographed and published by P.H. Cowan (St. John’s, N.L)