Cape Breton's Magazine

of those postcards. The postcard picture (which Capt. Robertson once had) showed the Ronald George, which was identified, towing the two-story house which was the same house as in (your photograph), at the end of a long towing cable out in open wa? ter. The Ronald George was in the freight? ing business along that section of the Newfoundland coast at the time of the 'quake, possibly owned by Warehams (spelling may not be correct), who were merchants in the Burin area at that time, and later at Arnold's Cove, near Come-by- Chance. While it may not have been impos? sible for a sailing schooner to have towed such a house, it is highly unlikely, as a strong favourable wind from behind would be the only one which could permit towing of such an unwieldy object. It appears that the Ronald George took the house in tow from a position a few miles down the Bay and had brought it to a sheltered lo? cation near the Marian Belle Wolfe, which had already been "laid up" for the winter, and then the Ronald George had proceeded on with her freighting duties. A closer look at (your photo) of the Marian Belle Wolfe, which was taken in November, clear? ly shows that she had been laid up, as her sails had been removed, and also that she was not an auxiliary schooner because she still retained her main boom, which in an auxiliary schooner is removed in favour of a riding sail. In the normal course of events, ships which had engaged in the Labrador fishing would have been laid up before the date at which the 'quake oc? curred. Another reason why the Isaac's house floated so high in the water was be? cause those Newfoundland houses were dou? ble boarded; that is, they were boarded on the inside of the frame as well as the outside, on account of the severe New? foundland winters. The concrete posts served as keels and it was almost a houseboat. Captain Robbie was no stranger either to the Marian Belle Wolfe, or to her one-time captain, William "Bill" Trenholm, but MACLEOD'S TRUCKING ltd. BIG ENOUGH TO GIVE GOOD SERVICE • SMALL ENOUGH TO KNOW YOUR NAME! 539-0070 562-7093 takes issue with the statement from the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic that the schooner was originally built for Captain Trenholm. It is more probable that she was built for Wolfe interests from Dublin Shore. Captain Trenholm of Louisbourg fre? quently purchased ships, which had seen their best days in fishing, and by repair? ing them gave them extended life. You will recall that it was he who lost the fishing schooner Joseph McGill. which he was re? pairing at Louisbourg, when the tidal wave swept her into the harbour. At any rate. Captain Trenholm did not purchase the Mar? ian Belle Wolfe until she had just fin? ished her fishing days. He purchased her at Lunenburg, and Captain Robertson joined him a few days later to take the ship to Halifax. She still had six dories left on her, and "gurry tubs" on deck that were ''v*-.' *. • :.* * * *;t * YOUR • V DREAMS ALIVE Your Prestige Florist for Quality and Service Ashby Nurseries Plummer Ave. NEW WATERFORD 862-3374 "Call on US for free consultation to make your wedding perfect!" Catering I Services ( I for Any Y ] Function I, Large or I Yellow Cello Cafe Bakery Pizza J"' 295-2303