Page 47 - The Martells of Flint Island Light

ISSUE : Issue 45

Published by Ronald Caplan on 1987/6/1

So they drifted. And it was the funniest thing: seals followed them all the way, the whole time that they were drifting. And they drifted out around like what we call the Southern Head into Catalone, Mira Bay there' that area. And the seals fol? lowed them all the way. Even when the boat capsized, and during the seas, because the seas were quite high--it started to storm that evening. (I heard that Ethel was swept from the boat several times.) Yes. And (my brother) saved her. From what we understand, when she'd be swept out of the boat, he'd grab her and put her back in. Because she couldn't swim. Now, I'm not clear if the boat upset, or if it was just tossing on the waves. Because it was a very, very stormy night, and the winds were very bad, and the seas were very bad. My brother (Kenny) was the only one that could swim there. And he took the rope of the boat... and he got ashore. But before that, he was hit on the head with the en? gine box cover and he was knocked uncon? scious for a few minutes. I suppose--when you're knocked out, you float. It was just a matter, he said, of minutes. And then when he came to, Ethel was gone. And Billy and Edna were clinging to the boat. So he managed to get ashore. He had a rope in his teeth, and he swam ashore. He was a good swimmer. And he rescued Billy and Ed? na. But they searched for days along the shoreline and everything, and they could never find Ethel. But you know, as often as I think about it, it still bothers me. (I guess it should.) The fact, too, that she was never found. October 15th. 1935. And it's the strangest thing, looking back now, and you think a- bout it. Lillian was born in March of that year, and this happened. And it seemed like, when one was taken, there was always somebody born. If you want to think in terms of fate or whatever. Lillian was born in 1935. March the 14th. Johnny was born in May of '33, and this was just af? ter Raymond was drowned. You know, it just seemed to be a coincidence. I have a picture of my little brother. He was only 2 years and 5 months. (What was his name?) Harold. Every once in awhile Mum used to come in. She used to stay with a family in Morien here that were friends of theirs. We did have a house in here, but it was rented. It was in January. And Harold was 2 years and 5 months. And he had been in--and you know, we didn't have ice cream that much, or anything like that. And he had a pain in his tummy. And Mum thought it was just because he was eating ice cream when he was in Morien. This was just a day or so after they went back out to the island. An3rway, the pain got worse. So Dad (went)-- I forget who was with Dad. The ice was quite broken up--you could get through the clampers and everything. But he had to take the little fellow to Glace Bay. He got him there. He got him in the hospital and everything, but it was too late. He had peritonitis. And it poisoned him, all gone through his system. (What did your father tell you about that trip?) Well, he couldn't say very much, I guess, at the time, because we all knew the situation. We knew that he was lucky to get off at all. We knew that he was lucky to get in. It was just that--if you wanted to get off of there at all, you got Herring Choker Deli • At NYANZA, on Hwy 105 between Whycocomagh & Baddeck natural foods "'Tolll'' Indian Bay Bakery Island Crafts The Talent of Cape Breton Knitters Is but One Example of Excellence at Island Crafts Old-Fashioned Charm Is Our Trademark VISIT OUR STORE & SEE THE KALEIDOSCOPE OF TREASURES Handknit Fishermen's Sweaters - Kitchen Accessories Designer Mohair Sweaters - Hand Carved Clan Crests Hats & Scarves-for Every Age Group - Cookbooks Intricate Designs in Pottery - Hand Appliqued Quilts Ruffled Cushions - Wide Selection of Baby Items The Mad Potters Collection - Boats in Bottles A Good Selection of Local Literature The list is endless! Treat yourself to ISLAND CRAFTS. "Rise and Follies" performers in Island Crafts sweaters and scarves Iwholesale; full line of souvenirsi The Focus of Your Visit to Cape Breton, in Downtown Sydney OPEN YEAR ROUND: MONDAY TO SATURDAY, 9 TO 5; FRIDAY, 9 TO 9 539-6474 329 Charlotte St., Sydney HHII'HHillHilliii''HHllHHIHI ?p aproiwtofciHMB 564-5527 (47):

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