More Georgetown Stories

35

1935—1982

John Hansen Veteran Fisherman

“John Hansen of Burnt Point is still hale and hearty at eighty-four. He commenced his lobster fishing career at the age of twelve with his father and when he was fourteen he was fishing alone. For sixty-three consecutive seasons he landed the lordly lobster until in 1938 at the age of seventy-five he decided to call it a day, but not without considerable persuasion from his family. He first landed lobster for Forrest & Shear who at that time had a lobster factory at Wightman’s Point. Later this company moved to Boughton Island. During the entire sixty-three years of fishing Mr. Hansen used only sail and oars, a feat perhaps unequalled in the Province. In those days lobster were sold by count and fifty-two thousand by actual account was the high—line season of this veteran. Traps then were about four feet long with a head at each end and Mr. Hansen has often had to lay his oars on the gunnell of his sail boat to keep the lobsters from crawling overboard. Though now retired from fishing this grand old man is interested each spring in the weather, fish prices, bait supplies and all the side—lines of the fishing game. From his home near the shore he can watch the boats that fish the inside grounds and any greenhom fisherman has only to wander a few yards off the rock bottom of Burnt Point Reef (what fishermen know as the Hansen grounds) to be spotted by the veteran whose eye is ever longingly cast toward his beloved sea." (Edited from Guardian, May 5, 1947)

House Travels over Water

“Mr. James Hayter performed a difficult and unique job in transporting his bungalow from Launching to Georgetown last week. The bungalow was floated by means of oil barrels and towed by three motor boats to Georgetown.” (Guardian, Aug. 27. 1947)

Schooner Abandoned on Panmure Island Bat

“On Tuesday evening about 3.30 pm, the 96 ton Newfoundland powered schooner Armida ran aground on Wheeler’s Bar at the west end of Panmure Island, just inside the harbour entrance. The vessel had no cargo and was bound from Newfoundland to Montague where she was to have loaded potatoes for Poole & Thompson Ltd. When she grounded the tide was high and she was traveling about 8 knots which drove her high on the bar. Veteran pilot Temple Gotell expressed the opinion that efforts to re~float the craft would be futile and that she would become a total wreck after all moveable fittings were taken off. The vessel was entering Georgetown harbour without the services of a pilot.” (Edited from Guardian, Nov. 21, 1947) [The Guardian of Nov. 29th reported that the vessel had been abandoned and the crew which had stayed on her for a number of days had

departed] f v . ‘\.

Georgetown School Sports Day, 1948

Mats:

50 Yard Dash, 6 and 7 years: 1. Jean LeLacheur 2. Nita Gallant 3. Joan Batchilder

60 Yard Dash, 8 and 9 years: 1. Marion Sampson 2. Barbara MacQuillan3. Elaine Roche

75 Yard Dash, 10 & 11 years: 1. Gertrude Fitzgerald 2. Isabel Sampson 3. Lillian MacDonald

75 Yard Dash, 12 & 13 years: 1. Anna Prosper 2. Peggy Johnson 3. Doris Macbeod

75 Yard dash, 14 yrs. & over. 1. Lorraine Roche 2. Mary Gotell 3. Elimbeth MacQuillan

100 Yard dash, open: 1. Lorraine Roche 2. Anna Prosper 3. Bernice Delory

200 Yard Dash, open: 1. Anna Prosper, 2. Elizabeth MacQuillan3. Joan Murphy

Bag Race, 12 years & under 1. Sheila Delory 2. Anna Prosper 3. Kay Babineau

Bag Race, 13 yrs. & over, 1. Boris MacLeod 2. Mary Gotell 3. Kathleen MacDonald

Three—legged Race, open: 1. Mary Gotell 2. Elizabeth MacQuillan 3. Selina Myers & Doris Macbeod

Bicycle Race, open: 1. Sheila Delory 2. Bernice Delory 3. Peggy Johnson

Boys’ Events:

50 Yard Dash, 6 &7 years: 1. Ronnie Babineau 2. Ray Murphy 3. Vincent Rafuse

60 Yard dash, 8 & 9 yrs: 1. Roger Soloman 2. Chester David 3. Ronnie Gotell

75 Yard Dash, 10 & 11 yrs: 1. Jackie Lavers 2. Gerald Murphy 3. Freddie Walker

100 Yard Dash, 12~14 yrs: 1. Ernie Roche 2. Donald MacDonald3. Jimmie Walker

Bicycle Race, 13 yrs. & over. 1. Harold Dicks 2. Billy Murphy 3. Gordon Lavers

Three-legged Race, open: 1. Ernie Roche & George MacDonald 2. Gerald Murphy & Jimmie Walker 3. John Walsh & Fred Walker

Bag Race, 12 yrs. & under: 12. George Raf use 2. Everett MacLeod3 . Freddie Walker *

Running Broad Jump, open: 1. Floyd Landry 2. Jimmie Walker 3. Donald MacDonald

High Jump, open: 1. Harold Dicks 2. Floyd Landry

150 Yard Dash, 13 yrs.& over. 1. Ernie Roche 2. Floyd Landry 3. Donald MacDonald

Bicycle Race, 12 yrs. & under: 1. Levi David 2. Jackie Lavers 3. Stewart Hansen “ (Guardian Oct. 14, 1948)

Returned Men Bangueted

“On Thursday evening, Nov. 25th an event took place which will be long be remembered as the citizens of Georgetown honored their returned men and women with a banquet. Certificates of recognition were presented to a large number. These and like occasions successfully culminated the fine effort of the standing committee under the chairmanship of Mrs. Michael Burke Sr.. During the impressive ceremony a long list of known veterans was read by Rev. S.J. Boyce with the presentations being made by Mayor J. A. B. McConnell who also acted as toastmaster. Approximately sixty veterans and guests