1h» In earlier days there were several bad mishaps. The first of which (ab 1; 1, ,‘e is any record was in 1881. The last serious mishap occurred in 1885. bl: the morning of January 27th, three boats with a crew of fifteen mem- blet; and seven passengers left the Island shore. The weather was very

mt ocbli, below zero. Shortly after leaving the shore a fierce storm came up 'm V after trying to make headway all day, it was decided to camp on tit e ice over night. Two boats were turned over, making an improvised water. The storm continued all night and up to about noon the next About 3 p.m. shore was sighted, and late that night a landing was le some distance north of DeSable. After considerable difficulty they iaged to make. shelter in a house about two miles from the shore, er spending 36 hours in the elements. Of the twenty-two men, four lo fingers and toes, six others were more or less exhausted by the cold :ther, one CI'GV' member became delirious during the trip and died sh rtly afterwards There were numerous occasions when difficulties oc- go; red, and many anxious hours would be spent before shore would be

xnl

ched.

11: . This service was in operation each winter, and even continued for he 1 t of the winter of 1917-18 although the car-ferry service was in oper— (:6 in. The iceboats were discontinued after that winter.

As Augustine Cove is only about two or three miles distance from } 1e Traverse, many men from this community worked on the iceboats.

E, 1‘ this laborious and dangerous work they received from $501. to $100. 'month.

5 The men from this district were: Gordon MacWilliams, Harry In- »1, Donald MacFadyen, Thomas Carruthers, Ollie Cameron, George Hird, John MacWilliams, Frank Murphy, Albert Sherren, Elmer Daw- . Eliphalet Clark, Bruce Campbell and Harry Dawson. The last four :1tioned still live in the Cove, and they can relate many interesting as about these perilous journeys.

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