advertisement in the Royal Gazette, Leslie stated that the former owner could have the rudder back “on proving property and paflng damages and expenses, by application.” (37)

THE YANKEE GALE

In October of 1851, a fierce storm hit the Gulf of St. Lawrence. In late morning on Friday October 3“, local fishermen noticed that the sun was surrounded with an unusual halo of light. It was later relayed that on that day, they witnessed a sun and sky unlike anything they had seen before. (38) Little did they realize that such a spectacular sight would result in such ultimate tragedy. Many vessels had remained motionless of the Gulf due to the lack of wind. By evening the sea had taken on a very strange, quiet, and glassy appearance. That night when a swell started from the east, the sailors were mystified because there did not appear to be any wind. (39) By the time they realized their desperate situation, it was dark and there were no lights to direct them safely to shore. (40) By eight o’clock that evening the winds had picked up, and by midnight, a full gale was blowing. For three long days and nights, hundreds of fishing vessels, many of which were from New England, remained trapped against the Island’s north shore.

The storm brought with it heavy wind, rain, and high tides. The strong wind accompanying this storm resulted in the destruction of many homes and barns. The heavy rain caused streams and dams to overflow, flooding nearby fields. The surge in tides, it was said, caused some of the small boats to be relocated in nearby fields. (41) The most devastating aspect of this storm, however, was the lives it took. It is estimated that 83 women were made widows and 330 children were left

fatherless. The vessels that went down in this storm were well documented in

the newspapers of the day. Of the fifteen vessels wrecked in King’s county, at least five came ashore between the entrance of St. Peters Bay

and Naufrage.

The Forrest: An American schooner, master of Newbury port that was cast away at St.

Peters. (42)

The Charles Augusta:

An American schooner of Cohasset, Mass, Joseph Edwards, master, went on shore at the harbor at St. Peters. (43)

The Mary Lenore:

38