More Georgetown Stories

1838-1899

MacLaren Intercepts Americans

“The cruiser Critic [Master: Capt. William MacLaren of Georgetown] arrived here {Halifax} Friday after being out seven weeks, during which she boarded forty Americans. All except one or two received him courteously. Capt. Sol Jacobs gave him a good reception and said, ‘Give us a treaty. I have already lost this season more by this trouble than I would have gained in five years by the duty.’ (M, Aug. 2, 1886) [The Dominion Government was pressuring the American government to renegotiate the 1818 treaty regulating fishing in the North Atlantic and had put on cruisers to intercept American ﬁshing boats who were ﬁshing inside the three-mile limit and evading customs .]

In late August, 1886, the American schooner Highland Light of Wellfleet, Mass. was seized by the Canadian Cutter Hewlett and taken into Georgetown harbour to dock at the Queen’s wharf. The boat had been caught ﬁshing in Campbell’s Cove near East Point P.E.I. within illegal waters. The crew were quartered in Georgetown until they could ﬁnd a way to go home. Two of the crew were Islanders. The Georgetown people made sure that no one could run off with the prize as the following relates: “The most careful and extensive precautions were taken at Georgetown to prevent the beautiful schooner from being taken away by her owner, such as completely stripping her and securing her with chain cables, one nearly up to the custom house was imbedded in a rock and the other cabled over the wharf and both treaded and strongly riveted to the bitts and Windlass, while day and night, two stout watchmen armed to the teeth stood guard.” (Daily Patriot, Dec. 9, 1886). The cargo and gear were sold and the boat auctioned to the highest bidder which was the Canadian Government. She was renamed the Vigilant and was fitted to take her place as a cruiser hunting down boats fishing illegally in Maritime waters. When the fate of the schooner became known, the American boats in Georgetown harbour raised their flags as if to war and left. The USA then passed retaliative measures against Canadian fishermen claiming that the Canadians were interpreting the 1818 treaty to suit themselves. Later, new negotiations settled the matter.

“Highland Light” Becomes “Vigilant”

“At Georgetown on Sunday morning last, at 11 o’clock, the wind which had blown fresh from the southward, having come round westerly, Capt. Hughes, in charge of the seized American ﬁshing schooner decided to start for Saint John NB. as ordered by the government at Ottawa. After the sale of the schooner on the 14th and previous to her sailing, the name ‘Highland Light’ was blacked out and ‘Vigilant’ painted on her stern instead, and a British register taken out from the Customs at Ch’town. About a dozen only of Georgetown people were gathered on the wharf to see her off the rest of the population being in church. Capt. Hughes and crew were all on board. The English ensign was run slowly up to the main top-mast head; those on the wharf with the skipper and crew of the G.W. Bentley, aProvincetown schooner, looking silently on as the red flag went aloft and ﬂapped in the strong wind. The dark face of the Provincetown captain grew darker and his fierce eyes ﬂashed fire as the beautiful little craft caught the breeze, and forging ahead stood out like a yacht to sea. ‘Take care of yourself,’ sang out Captain James Bourke. ‘Goodbye,’ said Captain Hughes as he

stood on the quarter deck and very soon the Vigilant running 10 knots, was outside the harbour. Capt .Hughes has with him in the Vigilant as crew, Thos. Burke, John Hemphill, Ed. Hemphill, Mortimer McEwen, James Curry, Ledwell and Fraser, all belonging to Georgetown, and who receive as pay $1 a day until they return overland, from St. John. They are not free from apprehension that perhaps the Molly Adams or some ﬁlibustering steamer may intercept them off Cape Sable and take them and the Vigilant into Boston or Portland.” (From Daily Patriot, Dec. 21 , 1886)

Salvation Army Occupies Georgetown

“Last week a military-looking stranger entered Georgetown, looked around, visited the wharves and the cannon on the bank. He was joined next day by another stranger. No one knew their errand until it was discovered that they had taken possession of the Market House for the Salvation Army and from which they intend very shortly to commence bombarding the town. The Army also secured barracks at Montague Bridge and will soon open ﬁre there also.” (From Daily Patriot, Jan. 18, 1887)

Court House Comer Stone Laid

“ The jubilee at Georgetown yesterday did not prove as great a success as anticipated, on account of the unfavorable weather. The strong winds prevented the regatta from taking place.

The procession of the volunteers, school children and horribles headed by the St. Peter's Bay Band was very fine, especially the appearance of the children. The procession marched to Kent Square where the comer stone of the new court house was laid by the Hon Dan Gordon with all the formality pertaining thereto. His Lieut-Gov. MacDonald (.si_c) then addressed the people touching on the advances of the Island in general particularly in King’s County, and finished by proposing three cheers to Her Gracious Majesty which was heartily given. The address was well-received and after it was over three cheers were given for the Governor and three more for the people of Georgetown and their loyalty. After these services were concluded all hands repaired to the drill shed where an excellent repast was provided. In the afternoon dancing and athletic sports were indulged in which latter Mr. J.A. McEachem of Charlottetown distinguished himself by carrying off quite a number of the prizes. The ﬁreworks and illumination promised to be very good but we had not the pleasure of witnessing them. There were no accidents; nothing unpleasant happened to mar the enjoyment of the celebration.” (Daily Patriot, July 15, 1887)

Baptist Preacher Moves In

“The Baptist preacher, Mr. Williams who ministers to the churches in Montague, Sturgeon and Murray Harbour has lately moved into the house formerly owned by Finlay McNeill, Esq. A sociable was held last Wednesday evening in the new Mission Hall which he (Mr. Williams) has fitted up. It was quite numerously attended irrespective of creed and was a very enjoyable entertainment. The neat sum of $68. was the result. The