OCTOBER GALE 1860

As told by Franklin Doughart, with slight additions by Mrs. John Bernard.

On the morning of Oct. 5th, 1860 there was a strong wind blow— ing from the North East and a great many vessels were caught off the North side of P.E.I. Some got around North Cape and to safety but the others tried to stand off as far as possible to ride out the storm, the wind increased all day and by night was a howling fury.

John Bernard of Long River, his brother, William of French River and John Duggan of Irishtown, noticed a revenue cutter among the many ships, she must haVe been on her maiden voyage for her sails were snow white, spars varnished and figure heads on her painted prow, a picture to remember.

Before dark they saw several ships dismasted and go down, as one of these took her final plunge they noticed the figure heads of the

proud cutter they had so admired in the morning.

As the day wore along Duggan got sick and had to go below, leaving the Bernards trying to control the little ship by a crude tiller. By night they gave up all hope of being saved and William went below to consult Duggan who suggested that their only hope was to try to beach the ship on the South side of the Miramichi, to the North was

high rocky cliffs.

The following Sunday morning as people gathered at the Geddie Memorial Church for worship all the talk was about the terrible storm, neighbors and friends of James Campbell of Park Corner were trying to assure him that his sons Capt. George and Hugh with their two neighbors Ned Ramsay and Dan Constable would ride out the storm for their new ship “Eyo” was built by the Orr brothers the best ship builders in many miles. Charles Bernard listening to the talk said “but what about my two sons the ship is small and old”. Mr. Campbell turned to him and said, “The race is not to the swift nor the battle to the strong “Eccl. 9 — 11. And so it proved to be the “Eyo” and her crew were never heard from while the Bernards piled up in a potato patch South of

the Miramichi.

To get the vessel refloated logs had to be carried a distance, John and William were large powerful men, they would toss a thirty foot log onto their shoulders and jog down to the vessel while four others

would follow with another log.

Mrs. John Bernard whose house is situated on the top of the hill

kept a close eye on the shore line, was at last rewarded by seeing the little vessel coming down to the harbour and John would be home for

dinner.

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