CHAPTER XVII

_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.