SABLE ISLAND. 417

blishment. During the late war, the American I government issued an order, forbidding their armed vessels to intercept or injure vessels bound to or from Sable Island. Since 1802, forty-two ships have been wrecked on it; probably some others were lost on the reefs without being heard of: the number lost previously must have been very great.

The Honourable Michael Wallace of Halifax, who has occasionally, with great satisfaction, administered the government of Nova Scotia, has, since the for- mation of the establishment at Sable Island, gratui- tously directed its management. The superintend- ent, Edward Hodgson, who has been on the island since 1804, was appointed by Mr Wallace; and, with his family, consisting of four sons and a daugh— ter, and four or five servants, form the members of the establishment. The business of the superintend- ent is to use his utmost exertion to save the lives and property of those who may be wrecked. A ves- sel visits the island periodically with provisions, and to bring off those who may be cast on its shores. The goods and materials saved from wrecks are car- ried to Halifax, and sold for the benefit of all con- cerned, retaining the usual salvage. There have been no less than three hundred people on the island at one time, and the stock of provisions kept at the depot, has always proved sufficient. After a storm, the superintendent sends his people to tra— verse the shores in every direction ; and in the event of vessels being carried ashore by the currents, or running on in thick weather, a party travels round

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