_WE APPEAL FOR CANADIAN SYMPATHY_
[Illustration: A Missionary in Winter Dress.]
In November, 1893, Dr. Bobardt and myself visited Canada, with the
hope of getting help for our work, seeing that some Canadians would
at least benefit by it. In Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, and Toronto we
found friendly audiences. St. Paul’s Church (Episcopal), the Brunswick
Street Methodist Church, and the Garison Chapel, all of Halifax, each
paid for the support of one cot for a year, promising to endeavour to
do so annually; while a small committee was organized in each place
to keep alive an interest in the work, and to help by sending clothes
and reading to St. Johns, Newfoundland, for us to carry to Labrador.
Governor Daly, General Montgomery Moore, and Bishop Courtney, of Nova
Scotia, were good enough to assist us in Halifax; while everywhere
the members of that admirable institution, “The Brotherhood of St.
Andrew,” extended their generous friendship to us. In Montreal, Sir
Donald Smith, Governor of the Hudson Bay Company, who himself had spent
thirteen years in charge of one of the Company’s stations, presented
a steamer to the Montreal Committee, to enable the work to be more
efficiently carried out. Dr. Roddick, of Montreal, also presented the
Mission with a sailing boat for Battle Harbour, called the _Urelia
McKinnon_. His Excellency the Governor-General, Lord Aberdeen, was
good enough to preside at the meeting at Ottawa, and express his
sympathy with the work. Indeed, for real interest and sympathy in every
philanthropic work, and it is grand to know in every distinctively
missionary work also, Canada is fortunate in possessing in both Lord
and Lady Aberdeen examples of a kind alas far too rare in these
so-called Christian days. A meeting was also held in Winnipeg, whither
we went on a holiday trip, and here the Lieut.-Governor, Sir John
Schultze, presided, and, with Lady Schultze, expressed great interest
in the work. Samuel Blake, Esq., Q.C., so well known in Canada for his
broad-minded Christian sympathies, was our chairman at Toronto. Our
days at Toronto possessed for me an interest never experienced before.
We fell on a great Missionary Convention, and from Mr. Warzawiak, of
New York, Dr. MacKay, of Formosa, Dr. Gordon, of Boston, Dr. Pierson,
of Philadelphia, and many other remarkable men, we heard of such
difficulties overcome, obstacles removed, and successes attained by the
Gospel in other fields in the missionary world, that it made one desire
to be at work in China, Africa, and North America all at once.
Reaching England in March, while preparations were being made for 1894,
I was enabled to visit the North Sea fleets. The English fishermen
expressed a most lively interest in their brethren over the sea, and
the warm-hearted admiral of the Red Cross fleet sent me a large flag,
that they might be “represented in Labrador.”
Dr. Curwen having gone to China for the London Missionary Society, and
Dr. Bobardt desiring to remain at home a year, our staff, consisting
of Dr. Willway, Dr. Bennett, and the two sisters, sailed direct for
Labrador in the _Albert_, while a volunteer Christian worker, who came
and acted as chief engineer (Mr. W. B. Wakefield), and myself, left for
Montreal, fitting out and despatching the S.S. _Princess May_, as we
passed through St. Johns, Newfoundland.
The _Albert_ had a long passage out, and meeting the outside of the
floe ice, had a tough three days working her way through; now charging
into large pans, now laying against masses piled up higher than her
masts. Captain Trezise reported her as at one time in great danger of
being overwhelmed by masses falling on to her decks. She, however,
got through safely, and her magnificent sea qualities and rapid
movements were more than ever before apparent to those in charge of her.
[Illustration: Eskimo Brass Band at Moravian Mission Station of
Hopedale.]
Having landed Dr. Bennett and Sister Carwardine at Battle Hospital,
she proceeded to Indian Harbour, where the hospital was rapidly placed
in working order. Here the little wood building almost came to an
inglorious and premature end by fire the first week of its existence;
and we were indebted to the strenuous efforts of a number of fishermen
for saving it from destruction, and to Commodore Curzon-Howe, of H.M.S.
_Cleopatra_, for landing a body of blue jackets to repair the damage,
enabling the work to proceed. The _Albert_ then returned and lay in
Battle Harbour, to await the arrival of our steamer, the _Sir Donald_.
Meanwhile, we had visited many stations from Montreal along the
Labrador coast on the north side the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Everywhere
we had had plenty of work to do: seeing sick people, operating
where necessary, holding services, and distributing literature. We
_everywhere_ found people deeply grateful for our visit, and glad to
gather to hear the Gospel. Many spoke eagerly of the hopes raised that
a third hospital would be erected in the Labrador or lower province of
Quebec, to which the sick could be carried, and were anxious to forward
a petition to Ottawa to that effect. We were everywhere entreated not
to allow this to be our last visit. At La Romaine, a station of the
Hudson Bay Company, we had a severe operation on a young Montaignais
Indian hunter—otherwise doomed to die—and when we left three days
later he was lying in his tent, on a clean bed of spruce boughs, on the
high-road to recovery. At the last places we visited, we took patients
aboard for Battle Hospital—one poor lad with a horrible affection of
the hip, a girl with a useless wrist and arm, a child with hip-joint
disease, and a sick woman for operation. All of these eventually
returned home benefited or cured.
Just before reaching Battle Harbour, with all our flags flying, our
brass polished, and our spirits wild with expectancy of seeing our
colleagues again, we suddenly struck a submerged rock, and for a few
minutes lay in danger of rolling over and sinking in deep water. All
hands behaved exceedingly well. Our boats were lowered, signals put
up for two schooners which happened to be passing, to “stand by,”
while kedge anchors were run out, in the endeavour to save the ship
by warping her off the rocks. After a time, assisted by a heavy tide
and the big ground swell, she came off and swung to her anchors in
the deep water. Alas, for us, she had almost better have remained a
complete wreck, for her keel and stem were broken, her rudder twisted,
her propeller gone, her engines broken, and her side bulged in.
Fortunately, we were able to travel over land to Battle Harbour; and
Mr. Baine Grieve’s agent sent thence his bait launch and towed the
_Sir Donald_ into harbour. Here we found the _Albert_, very anxious
about our long delayed arrival, but now overjoyed to see us in any
plight. As nothing could be done to repair the steamer in Labrador,
Captain Trezise undertook the exceedingly risky attempt to tow the _Sir
Donald_ to St. Johns, and this, after many exciting incidents and many
close shaves of losing her, he successfully accomplished. There she now
lies, undergoing repairs for another year’s work.
Meanwhile, I left with the _Urelia McKinnon_ for Indian Harbour
Hospital, and thence visited the Hudson Bay station at Rigolette, and
many other places between Indian Harbour and Battle.
Dr. Bennett was anxious to leave early for England, as he was appointed
by the London Missionary Society to Tien-Tsin Missionary Hospital in
China; and so, till winter drove the Newfoundland people off the coast,
Battle Hospital came under my charge. On November 1st the sisters and
myself left for Newfoundland, Dr. Willway remaining to hold the fort
alone till we could return in 1895. His arrangements were to visit, if
possible, as far as Blanc Sablon, and then returning to his hospital to
meet our good friend Mr. Wilson, of Rigolette, at Cartwright, to travel
with him north to Hopedale and Davis Inlet, and then to await at Battle
Hospital our return.
Thus, God willing, much good will be done, many sick and suffering
ones relieved, many cheered and assisted in their struggle for
existence, and, above all, the Gospel proclaimed in many homes where,
but for the “Labrador Mission,” its sound would never reach during the
long and weary winter months.[19]
[Footnote 19: Dr. Willway left for the North on January 9th, the sea
being then firmly frozen over.]
APPENDICES
APPENDIX A
_SOME MEDICAL STATISTICS._
There were treated from the _Albert_ in 1892 nine hundred patients, of
which one-third might be called serious cases. An epidemic of influenza
visited the coast, and this led to many cases of lung affections.
Affections of the eyes were also common, while minor surgical cases
were in great abundance. Seven operations were performed under
anæsthetics.
In 1893 there were treated:—
In Labrador, the Straits of Belle Isle, and on the French shore of
Newfoundland there were treated by—
In-Patients. Out-Patients.
Dr. Bobardt at Battle Hospital 33 647
Dr. Curwen on the Hospital ship _Albert_ 3 1,052
Dr. Grenfell on the steam launch _Princess May_ 1 794
—— —————
That is a total of 37 2,493
These cases, for the council’s better information and that of the
public, I analysed as follows. [Our case books are preserved in London
for reference.]
_Medical Cases._
Diseases of—
Digestive system 633
Respiratory and circulatory system 194
Nervous system 60
Excretory system 40
Women 64
Diseases of special organs—
Eye (including 34 cases of night blindness) 211
Ear 40
Nose and throat 93
Skin 105
Minor cases—Headaches, colds, strains 167
Cases of rheumatism 64
_Surgical Cases._
Affections of the upper limbs 306
Affections of the lower limbs 94
General surgical cases—Glands, bones, special
agues, rickets, tumour, fistula, etc. 188
Sundry minor cases 210
————
Total 2,493
Operations performed under chloroform 17
Major operations without chloroform 11
Minor surgical operations, including teeth 269
There were in Battle Harbour Hospital the following named cots or beds:
viz., Exeter, Brighton, Redhill, Hutchinson, Macpherson; also the John
Fountain Elvin and John Charles Harris memorial cots.
In the male ward were first the “Brighton cot.” This was occupied by a
poor Newfoundland fisherman whom I brought 80 miles in the _Princess
May_. He had consumption, and died after about two months in hospital.
His body alone reached his relatives in Newfoundland.
The second bed was the “Harris Cot.” There were three patients in this
bed this season. The first was suffering with pleurisy; the second had
to have his middle finger amputated, after a deep abscess of the hand;
the third also had a severely poisoned hand.
The third, the “Redhill Cot,” was occupied by a fisherman with
paralysis of the right arm and leg, and then by a poor fellow with
consumption.
The fourth, the “Hutchinson Cot,” was occupied by, first, a man with
a severely crushed hand; then by a poor fellow from far north, sent
back by the _Albert_ (he was suffering from ulcer of the stomach); and,
thirdly, by a French Canadian who was brought in a sealing steamer from
Canadian Labrador, with a deep abscess of the back.
The fifth, the “Exeter Cot,” was occupied, first, by a fisherman with
rheumatic fever and heart disease; second, by a man with excessive deep
inflammation of the arm and forearm; third, by a man with abscess in
the palm of his hand; fourth, by a young American with an affection
resulting from consumption in the system; fifth, by a very similar case
with a Newfoundlander.
The sixth, the “Macpherson Cot,” was in the female ward. First of all
it was occupied by a young girl who had to undergo a serious operation;
then by a woman who had come fifty miles down the Straits of Belle
Isle with an internal disease; then by a poor girl brought south in the
mail steamer from the cabin of one of the small fishing vessels. She
died in hospital. The poor thing was engaged to be married this summer.
Had she been able to come earlier for proper assistance there can be
no doubt her life would have been saved. The fourth patient in this
bed was a girl of eighteen. She had been suffering with an internal
abscess for nearly three years when I saw her first in Sandwich Bay
in the _Princess May_. After the operation we sent her by the mail to
Battle Hospital. Here she remained some weeks, and on returning south
in the _Princess May_, and again visiting Sandwich Bay, I found the
girl returned, a new creature altogether. “I should like to have stayed
always,” she told me.
W. T. G.
_The following are a few figures from my report rendered to the St.
Johns Auxiliary Branch of the M.D.S.F._:—
In 1894, owing to the loss of the S.S. _Sir Donald_, and the fact
of the _Princess May_ being unable to reach the coast, the work of
the mission was much curtailed. Yet out of 1,306 patients treated a
much larger proportion were serious cases, and more patients availed
themselves of the hospitals. This number will no doubt increase.
There were treated this year by—
In-Patients. Out-Patients.
Dr. Bennett at Battle Hospital 27 444
Dr. Willway at Indian Harbour 20 580
Dr. Grenfell on the _Sir Donald_ and
_Urelia McKinnon_ 4 231
—— —————
Total 51 1,255
These were—
_Medical Cases._
Diseases of—
Digestive system 226
Respiratory system 130
Nervous system 55
Excretory system 45
Women 33
Minor cases—Colds, headaches 73
_Surgical Cases._
Diseases of—
Affections of the upper limbs 73
Affections of the lower limbs 64
General surgical affections, including
glands, bones, fistula, etc. 140
Minor surgery cases 114
Diseases of special organs—
Eye 90
Ear 27
Nose and throat 48
Skin 74
Affection 64
Operations performed under anæsthetics 25
Minor operations, including teeth 119
In-patients 51
—————
Grand total 1,306
APPENDIX B
_SPIRITUAL AGENCIES IN LABRADOR_,
SINCE JULY, 1892, AT WHICH TIME WE ARRIVED ON THE COAST.
There is a Wesleyan missionary fifty miles west of Battle, at Red Bay.
To visit all round his circuit and return must involve 250 to 300
miles’ travelling. It must be remembered all this visiting is done in
a small open boat in summer, at great risk in so dangerous a place as
the Straits of Belle Isle; and in winter over the ice with a komatik
and team of dogs. The Rev. J. Sidey was there three years, and is now
replaced by Rev. J. Antle.[20]
[Footnote 20: These Wesleyan missionaries are supported by the
Methodist Church of Canada.]
At Battle Harbour, as is well known to our readers, there is a wooden
church, but it has been in charge of a young teacher and lay reader
since we have been on the coast.
At Cartwright, thirty miles up Sandwich Bay, is another wooden church
and schoolroom combined. Here also is a lay reader and schoolmaster.
This would be about 150 miles up the coast from Battle Harbour. The
sphere of work does not, I think, extend at all outside Sandwich Bay.
Fifty miles above Indian Harbour, up Hamilton Inlet, is a young
Wesleyan minister. He has a small school and chapel on the south side
of the inlet. We had the pleasure of taking him in the _Princess May_
to his new sphere of work. His name is the Rev. G. Hollett, and his
sphere of work is Hamilton Inlet, I think as far in as the North West
river, that is eighty miles further, or 130 from Indian Harbour.
From Indian Harbour to Hopedale the settlers number from 260 to 300,
and are very poor and very scattered. The distance by sea is 150 miles,
and again consists of a series of long bays and off-lying islands.
There is no missionary or schoolmaster anywhere along this part of
the coast, though once in the winter one of the Moravians travels over
the ice as far south as Cape Harrison with his komatik and dogs, often
at great peril to his life. Northward of Cape Harrison are only a few
scattered European settlers, mixed among not less than 2,000 Eskimos.
These are mostly members of the Moravian Church. The Moravian stations
are from 50 to 100 miles apart.
To meet the spiritual needs of all these people, scattered as they are,
and of the 25,000 who visit the coast in summer—some 10,000 living
on their vessels all the year—we only heard of one clergyman of the
Church of England and one Wesleyan minister, with one Roman Catholic
priest, visiting during part of the summer. This year, 1893, we did
not hear of any peripatetic Wesleyan minister, and the only clergyman
was rather in pursuit of health; but we met in the Straits of Belle
Isle Bishop MacDonnel and the Rev. Father Lynch, of the Roman Catholic
Church. I must mention also that the Bible Society send a colporteur
every year to sell Bibles and testaments on the coast, though we did
not fall in with him this year, nor do I know how much of the coast he
travels over. Last year a tiny schooner, manned by three Salvation Army
captains, also visited the coast, partly fishing and partly preaching
the gospel. Among the fishermen themselves we met many earnest and
pious Christians, and as on the North Sea, so on this bleak coast we
have felt God’s presence quite as real and as near in the meetings on
board or in the huts as we have in great buildings and comfortable pews
in the old country.
Among past workers in Labrador I hear of the Rev. J. G. Curling, Rev.
Mr. Hutchinson, and Rev. Mr. Quintain. The last two spent many years in
Labrador, while the Rev. J. Bull spent three years at Battle Harbour.
The Right Rev. Llewellyn Jones, Bishop of Newfoundland and Bermuda,
has also visited the coast, as did Bishop Field, his predecessor. The
Rev. Father Lemoine, labouring among the Montaignais Indians of the
interior, also sometimes comes out on the coast during the summer.[21]
[Footnote 21: Bishop Jones sent three visiting clergymen to Labrador
this summer 1894.]
APPENDIX C
_A FEW TESTIMONIES TO THE WORK FROM THOSE WHO KNOW LABRADOR_
_From the_ REV. F. S. HOLLETT, _Missionary of the
Canadian Methodist Church at Rigolette_:—
HAMILTON INLET,
LABRADOR.
DEAR DR. GRENFELL,—
... Any way that we can help you, we will be glad to do it. As you know
I can sympathise with you in the difficulties you meet with. D.V., we
hope to have a visit from you next year. May God bless you in your
noble work, and you will always remember,
I am
Your sincere brother in Christ,
FRANK S. HOLLETT.
* * * * *
_From_ DR. ROBERT MURRAY, _Editor of the “Presbyterian Witness”_:—
HALIFAX,
_December, 1894_.
DEAR DR. GRENFELL,—
... From our Presbyterian teacher from Canadian Labrador we had most
favourable reports of your work. I examined him personally on his
return, as to what he had seen and heard.
While he had not seen the hospitals and the doctors, he had heard most
appreciative reports from fishermen ...
Yours very truly,
ROBERT MURRAY.
* * * * *
_October 27, 1892._ A representative meeting of the colony of
Newfoundland was held at Government House, St. Johns. There were
present, amongst others, His Excellency the Governor, Sir Frederick
Carter (Judge of Supreme Court), Sir William Whiteway (Premier),
Major-General Dowell, R.A., Sir Robert Thorburn (late Premier), Hon. E.
D. Shea, Hon. Robert Bond (Colonial Secretary), Hon. A. Goodridge (late
Premier), Hon. A. W. Harvey, Hon. M. Munroe, and Messrs. W. Grieve, P.
Tessier, E. Duder, W. Job, E. Outerbridge, representing the merchant
firms, Captains the Hon. S. Blandford, W. Bartlett, N. Fitzgerald, J.
Watson, representing the Labrador planters, and Messrs. Ch. Emerson,
J. Withers,—Cohen, etc. After a discussion, in which several present
took part, it was proposed by Hon. W. A. Harvey, seconded by Sir Wm.
Whiteway, and when put by His Excellency the Governor unanimously
resolved:—
_Resolved._—“That this meeting, representing the principal merchants
and traders carrying on the fisheries, especially on the coast of
Labrador, and others interested in the welfare of this colony, desires
to tender its warmest thanks to the directors of the Deep Sea Mission
for their philanthropic generosity in sending their hospital ship
_Albert_ to visit the fishing settlements on the Labrador coast.
“Much of our fishing industry is carried on in regions beyond the
ordinary reach of medical aid or of charity, and it is with the
deepest sense of gratitude that this meeting learns of the amount of
medical and surgical work done, besides all the other relief and help
so liberally distributed. This meeting also desires to express the
hope that the directors of the Mission may see their way to continue
the work thus begun, and should they do so they may be assured of the
earnest support and co-operation of all classes of this community.”
* * * * *
Subsequent to this great meeting the following resolution was passed
and forwarded to the Mission:—
“That this representative committee will undertake to provide two
suitable buildings, which may be used as hospitals by the Mission to
Deep Sea Fishermen, should the Council of the Mission signify their
intention to continue their operations on the coast of Labrador, and
the Committee will heartily co-operate in any other way that the
Council of the Society may suggest.
“That a copy of the foregoing resolution be forwarded for the
information of the society.
(Signed) {T. O’BRIEN, Governor, _Chairman_.
{M. MUNROE, _Secretary_.”
MONTREAL, _December, 1893_.
A. BOBARDT, Esq., M.B., R.N., writing, says:—
* * * * *
Often in Labrador have I been urged on to further work by noting how
much a Mission visit is appreciated, and how the people do enjoy a
meeting; and it seems a thousand pities that they cannot be brought
under regular spiritual influences.
* * * * *
The small portable organ I had was most useful, and wherever I went it
was my _Fidus Achates_, tending to infuse more life into my meetings.
I found the people joined heartily in the hymns. Most of this visiting
was done by boat, and it was in this work that one recognised fully the
benefits of being able to handle an oar, and pull oneself wherever one
wished to go.
* * * * *
In the hospital I had thirty-three in-patients, and in the nursing of
these I must pay tribute to Nurse Carwardine, who, by her unremitting
zeal and attention, made many of these poor fishermen know for the
first time what it was to be in a comfortable warm bed, and be
skilfully attended to.
* * * * *
The comparison between them in hospital and in their own homes or
smacks is too extreme to be drawn, and they were very grateful for what
had been done for them.
One case for example:—A gunshot wound of the hand came to hospital,
and, though his hand was severely lacerated, he was able to return to
his home with a useful limb, after being five weeks in. If this case
had been left to itself, the young man must have either lost his arm,
or had a stiff and useless hand; and the latter is in the way of a
fisherman, who necessarily uses his hands so much in handling nets,
lines, ropes, oars, etc.
* * * * *
Many at Battle and the surrounding coves are now thanking God for
His goodness in inspiring friends in England and elsewhere to send
clothing for them this fall; the look of delight when they received
their bundles was a treat to witness. On Tuesday, October 31st, we left
Battle Harbour, amidst the salutes from many “Brown Sallys” (guns).
We carried with us the pleasantest recollections, and the hope that
the work would grow and increase, bringing health, happiness, and much
comfort to these Labradorites.
Sincerely yours,
ALBERT BOBARDT.
* * * * *
_From_ Rev. JNO. SIDEY, _now three years Wesleyan Missionary at Red
Bay_.
_November, 1892._
At the present time I believe there are but two ministers of the
Gospel between Hopedale, the Moravian settlement, and Blanc Sablon,
in the Straits of Belle Isle, a distance of over four hundred miles.
Around the coast line numerous settlements are scattered along the
route, and here in the best harbours are congregated during the
summer season thousands of fishermen from Newfoundland, Canada, and
the United States. They may, perhaps, the greater part of them, be
attendants at the various churches when at home; but out here, removed
from all religious influences, what wonder that they become dissipated
and lost in the spiritual darkness that abounds on the coast. The
Mission ship has visited these harbours, held services, and, if one
may take as a criterion the work done here, and the interest aroused,
a very favourable aspect is presented as to the spiritual portion of
the work.
But another and equally important phase of the work of the Mission
on these shores calls for the earnest sympathy and encouragement of
all who have interest in this noble enterprise—THE MEDICAL WORK. A
doctor is provided by the Government for this shore, during the summer
months, but as he is stationed on board the mail-boat, which only
calls just to land the mails and freight at comparatively a few of
the above-mentioned ports, his services are practically _nil_ to the
greater portion of the community. Yet the record of sick and disabled
fishermen is very large. Many have, year by year, to be sent home
in the mail-boats at the expense of the Government, losing also a
summer’s fishery, which in many cases might be avoided by a few days’
careful attention on board such a ship as the _Albert_. In such cases
it is not only the men themselves that suffer, but their families are
often starving throughout the long cold winters that follow. It may
be a bold suggestion, but perhaps worthy of a little consideration
(in view of the many harbours and extent of the coast), that were the
Society to substitute a small steam vessel for the _Albert_, much
more effective work could be accomplished, as then during the course
of the summer, at least, three trips instead of one might be made
along the whole shore; disabled fishermen could be accommodated on
board for a trip and carried back again without impeding the work of
the Mission; a representation might also be made to the Newfoundland
Government—who, according to repute, are at great expense to keep up
the useless custom of sending a doctor in the mail-boat, and carrying
home sick men—to do away with their arrangement, and grant a subsidy
towards the maintenance of a steam vessel, which could do the same
work far more effectually and, I doubt not, at less expense to them.
One word more in favour of the support of the Mission on this coast.
The system of trade, which is largely a credit and barter system,
deprives the men of the use of cash, even what they have really
earned; and until settling-up day in the fall, few feel themselves at
liberty to draw upon their little portion for the necessary comforts
of their toil; hence the distribution of the woollens, cuffs, etc.,
comes as a great boon to many a poor fisherman whose hands are cut
by the lines, or whose clothing, scant at all times, has become
deplorable by the wear and tear of a seafaring life. The writer has
seen much of this, and well knows how such gifts would be valued.
I trust that, as one who has lived and worked upon the coast, and
who knows by actual experience something of the need of the Labrador
shore, that I have said enough to evoke the sympathy of all who are
willing to give one thought to the toilers of the deep, to bestow
upon your noble Society the means for extending their work in this
direction. We are far away, but it should be remembered that a large
quantity of fish is exported to England from Newfoundland; besides, we
claim kindred, we are, for the most part, of the old British stock,
and, above all, we are children of the same Heavenly Father who cares
for all alike.
May the Almighty bless the work already done, and touch the hearts of
His children, so that the means may not be wanting when men are ready
to sacrifice their all to undertake this noble task.
Yours faithfully,
JNO. C. SIDEY.
* * * * *
Far away in that ice-bound, snow-clad country, there are men and women
struggling with poverty, hunger, and disease. Could our kind friends
at home, while sitting around their warm firesides with their dear
children, supplied with every want and comfort, take a peep into the
many miserable hovels, where men, women, and children are ill-fed,
poorly-clad (in some cases nearly naked), suffering from sickness; and
with no prospect of roughing the winter out, as all traders are gone,
their only resource is to apply to the nearest fishing station, perhaps
many miles away, for charity, which, I am thankful to say, is very
rarely refused to them—could our kind friends but get a peep at them,
I feel sure that they would be only too glad to do a little to relieve
their wants. There are many residents scattered far and wide, some in
fairly good circumstances, and there is, without doubt, an immense
field of labour, both spiritually and medically, and I trust that many
friends may be found to assist in this branch....
Hoping that I have been successful in showing you that there is,
indeed, a cry from Labrador: “Come over and help us.”
JOSEPH F. TREZISE (late Master of _Albert_).
_December 8, 1892._
* * * * *
DEAR DR. GRENFELL,—
The laudable work in which you are engaged has my warmest sympathy,
and I trust that your endeavour in so good a cause will meet with the
success it deserves.
I visited the Labrador coast many years ago, as far north as Cape
Harrison, and I then saw the many hardships endured by the hardy
fishermen and their families. Yours is a most deserving charity.
Trusting that you will have a large audience when you lecture in the
city,
Believe me,
Yours very truly,
ROBERT PATON MCLEA,
Montreal, Canada.
* * * * *
MORAVIAN MISSIONS, SECRETARY’S OFFICE, 7, FURNIVAL’S INN, LONDON, E.C.
_Nov. 3rd._
_To_ F. H. WOOD, Esq., _Secretary Deep Sea Mission_.
DEAR SIR,—
I am commissioned by the Committee of our Society for the Furtherance
of the Gospel to convey to your Mission our thanks, and those of our
missionaries at Hopedale, for the visit of the _Albert_. They write
very gratefully of the medical aid, and especially of the spiritual
fellowship and impulse afforded them, and they expressed the hope that
the visit may be repeated. They say there is no lack of work, and the
Divine blessing will crown such faithful endeavours to minister to
the scattered schoonermen and others along the coast.... We beg our
Society for the Furtherance of the Gospel to express hearty thanks in
our name, and that of the Eskimos....
Yours faithfully,
B. LA TROBE,
_Secretary_.
* * * * *
_From_ Rev. MOSES HARVEY, LL.D., F.R.S., _St. Johns_,
_July, 1893._
The great need of hospital work on Labrador is seen when it is
considered how many cases occur of blindness, deformities, or loss
of certain faculties, affecting the bread-winners of families, most
of which might have been prevented if treated in time, and thus much
personal suffering spared, and also a great loss to the community.
During the season the medical men were able to render such aid that
several who had been compelled to give up work found themselves
capable of resuming their duties. When sick persons are thus saved
from losing their season’s work, or saved the time and expense
involved in returning to Newfoundland for advice, in cases of minor
importance; or when, as happened in several instances during the
season, the lives or limbs were saved, or, in some hopeless cases,
life was prolonged so as to allow them to reach home and end their
days in the bosom of their families, the value of this hospital work
becomes more apparent.
To the sick of Labrador these hospitals will be an inestimable boon.
Only those who have known what it is to toss on a bed of pain, perhaps
unable even at night to find rest, their tongue parched with thirst,
and fever raging in their system, can properly appreciate the meaning
of the skilful help of the physician, the delicate attention of the
trained nurse, the hushed house, the subdued voices and the gentle
light of the half-darkened room. When this is contrasted with the sad
sight so often witnessed on Labrador, of delicate women, and even
children, undergoing sufferings, which are hard to bear even amid
the comforts and gentle attentions of home, on the dreary coast of
Labrador, far from every helping hand, or in the dark hold of some
small fishing vessel, where the atmosphere is poisonous, and the
noises to the sick distressing and almost maddening, it is then we
realize the value of the noble humane work in the hospitals erected on
storm-beaten Labrador for the relief of suffering humanity. Who would
not aid in such a good work!
DISTRIBUTION OF CLOTHING.
The _Albert_ brought from England a very large stock of clothing,
both new and cast-off, the gift of kind charitable friends. This was
distributed with the greatest care and discrimination, every precaution
being used to guard against imposition. The cases of utter or partial
destitution of clothing among families who reside permanently on
the Labrador coast, were numerous, and much timely aid was given,
especially to women and children. Food was also given in cases of
extreme destitution. Many families were thus helped to provide for the
long, cold winter of this region. There is no doubt that every spring
some families are driven to subsist on mussels and seaweed they can
gather along the land-wash. With ice on the coast no help can reach
them.
DISTRIBUTION OF BOOKS, PERIODICALS, AND TRACTS.
A very large supply of wholesome literature was carried on board the
Mission ship, and, wherever she went, was freely distributed among the
fishermen. Wherever it was found in any family that any one could read,
a gift was made either of illustrated or plain literature, or both.
RELIGIOUS SERVICES.
Wherever the _Albert_ or _Princess May_ called, when opportunity
offered, especially on Sundays, religious services were held, which
all were invited to attend. Hymns were sung, prayers offered, and
simple addresses given on Scriptural subjects. These services were much
appreciated among these lonely sea-toilers; and thus something was done
to make known that Gospel which has brought such blessings to mankind,
but without any reference to creed or sect being made.
The steam launch, _Princess May_, proved to be of great service in
the Mission work. Dr. Grenfell was enabled to go up uncharted bays
in her, so as to visit a large number of the small settlements which
would otherwise not have been within reach. He was thus able to make
a thorough examination into the condition of the residents, and to
collect accurate statistical information regarding them to an extent
never before attempted. In all, he visited eighty-seven different
settlements on the Labrador coast, as far north as Okkak. Dr. Curwen,
in the _Albert_, visited thirty-five more settlements; and Dr. Bobardt
visited all the places in the vicinity of Battle Harbour.
APPENDIX D
_POVERTY OF THE PEOPLE_
To gauge as accurately as possible the condition of the people, we
prepared as full a census of them—of their belongings, their families,
and their accomplishments—as we could. In this, during three years,
I have had the assistance of four medical men besides myself, of the
resident missionaries on the coast, and of the Moravian brethren
further north.
We find the people, as a rule, very poor, often reduced to the verge
of starvation. The causes we believe to be (1) depletion of fisheries
and fur-bearing animals, and bad seasons. (2) Inability to replenish
traps, guns, nets, boats, etc., when worn out. (3) Inability to secure
proper clothing and supplies of food when once they become overwhelmed
in debt. These causes have led to (4) loss of energy, apathy, and even
despair.
There are some families still comfortably off, but these are
impoverished by their own generosity, which impels them continually
to assist their poorer brethren. Where they are still well off, it is
generally because they have a number of grown-up unmarried sons, or
are in some harbour well separated from other settlers. This last
fact is more patent as one travels north. The census papers are in my
possession now. I will quote here some bad cases.
Two families here quite destitute. R—— R—— and L—— R——. There
was neither tea, molasses, nor flour in either house, and their
clothing was literally dropping to pieces, while one boy was barefoot
and the others had boots tied on to their feet by string to keep the
pieces together. If ever hunger wrote its name clearly on people’s
faces it was written on these people’s, the children being pale and
bloodless, the woman haggard and careworn. The mother told me, in most
pathetic way, “Even the berries will be covered deep in snow soon,
and then we have only starvation to look to.” They had _no flour to
face the winter_, and apparently no means of obtaining any. Neither
family had seal nets, salmon nets, or cod nets, or could pay for twine
to braid any, and both men showed me their powder-horns and shot-bags
empty, or nearly so. I found on returning to the launch, the captain
had given his bag of biscuits away to these people.
W. T. G.
* * * * *
A—— P——. Seven children, very poor and ill-clad; very poor supply
of food, miserable hut, no nets. The lay reader[22] found three inches
of snow blow in and remain on the floor of the only room one night
in winter he slept here. He found one counterpane and a pair of man’s
trousers almost all the clothing the children had, including the
eldest, a girl of fourteen. These had to stay indoors, of course, all
winter.
[Footnote 22: Mr. Dicks, of Cartwright.]
W. T. G.
* * * * *
S—— B——. Seven children. Very poor, very naked, short of food, no
apparatus to kill fish except a few hooks. Miserable one-roomed hut.
W. T. G.
* * * * *
E—— O——. Wife and two undergrown boys; father has consumption.
All very badly clothed; not a single flannel garment among them. No
blankets; bedclothes in rags. One trout net; caught only enough fish
for their consumption. Nine quintals last year, with which cleared
part of his debt, and got one barrel of flour and two pounds of tea
for his “winter diet.” Shot some birds and one seal. Now there is
nothing but three pounds of broken biscuits in the house.
ELIOT CURWEN.
APPENDIX E
_THE FISHING SCHOONERS_
I have spoken of these in a general way. Here are a few specimens of
notes from our diaries as to numbers of crews and “freighters” carried.
B——. 34 tons. Crew, 7 men and 2 women.
Passengers, 19 men and 16 women.
A total of 44 souls. All passengers in one hold—no partitions. 23
days out from home.
F——. 19 tons. Crew, 6 men and 1 woman.
Passengers, 28 men and 15 women.
A total of 50 souls. No name or register on her.
I——. 50 tons. Crew, 8 men and 2 women.
Passengers, 75 men and 15 women.
A total of 100 souls. Measured cubic space of one man, his wife, boy,
girl, and two men, 8 ft. by 6 ft. by 3 ft.
X——. _Brigantine_, 116 tons. 66 men, 24 women.
Y——. Small schooner-rigged vessel, 5 tons.
4 men, 1 woman, etc.
The larger merchants all send their crews down in steamers. This has
the double advantage of securing better accommodation, and immensely
shortening the passage. We are all strongly of the opinion that nothing
can be said in defence of allowing girls to form part of the regular
crews of the green-fish catchers, or of any fishing vessel. It appears
to be necessary that women should go down as passengers; and with
proper provisions there is no reason why they should not do so.
Here is the result of an accident to such a vessel this year.
Unfortunately I did not ascertain her tonnage.
On Thursday, the 14th inst., we left Spaniard’s Bay, bound to Horse
Harbour, Labrador, on a fishing voyage, having on board a number of
sixty-two souls, comprising men, women, and children. All went well,
until about eight miles north-east of Partridge Point (White Bay). On
the 17th inst., at 4 p.m., Sunday, while in a dense fog, the vessel
struck a large pan of ice, which crushed her bows in, causing her to
fill and sink in about eight or ten minutes. Five or six men succeeded
in getting on the pan of ice with a line, and secured it as best they
could to the pan. Unfortunately it could not be secured on board,
owing to the dreadful panic which was taking place; so she fell off a
considerable distance from the pan, preventing any one from getting on
the ice. A few boats were then thrown over, but before any one could
be taken on board the boats, the vessel sank, leaving men, women and
children floating among the wreckage in the water. Some of the few
boats filled, and were upset, leaving only two to pick up the men,
women and children, who were then struggling for their lives in the
water. After a very hard fight we managed to save fifty (including who
were in the boats), leaving twelve poor souls to meet a watery grave,
namely, eight men, two boys, and two young women. Some of the women
and children were almost totally naked, having jumped out of bed, and
had not time to even catch their clothes. These would have undoubtedly
died before many hours were over, as they were both wet and naked, had
not the schooner _Irene_, Captain Bursey, of Catalina, arrived at this
opportune moment, and quickly got us on board, and brought us into
Coachman’s Cove.
I am, respectfully yours,
HENRY GOSSE,
Late Master of Schooner _Rose_.
SPANIARD’S BAY, _June 28th, 1894_.
Butler & Tanner, The Selwood Printing Works, Frome, and London.