January 1880

January 1^st.  Thursday.

Morning fine.  At 12 o’c, a snow storm with outwind commenced drifting and blowing a gale.  At 6 P.M. wind changed to NNE.  Fr. Roche remained at B. Bulls.

January 2^nd.  Friday.

Fine.  Roads all Banksed with snow.  A great many people lost thro’ pond ice at the Northward.

January 3^rd.  Saturday.

Fine.  Dr. Cary went to Tors Cove.

January 4^th.  Sunday.

Very fine.  Harry White came from St. John’s.  Published banns of 3 marriages at Tors Cove.

January 5^th.  Monday.

Fine.  Confessions at Tors Cove.

January 6^th.  Tuesday.

Epiphany.  Very frosty.  Bad paths to St. John’s.

January 7^th.  Wednesday.

Fine.

January 8^th.  Thursday.

Very fine.  Had two weddings at Tors Cove.  A gang went from W. Bay and B. Bulls seeking government relief.  The Dean and Fr. Roche went to Mobile for a drive.  The Dean is very well.  Thomas went to town.

January 9^th.  Friday.

Fine.  The Gang received 9 d. per man with an indefinite promise.

January 10^th.  Saturday.

Soft.  Rained heavily at evening.  Thomas came from St. John’s.

January 11^th.  Sunday.

Fine and soft.

January 12^th.  Monday.

Mild.  Fr. Clancy here going to town.

January 13^th.  Tuesday.

I went to town, good sleighing.

January 14^th.  Wednesday.

Heavy rain.

January 15^th.  Thursday.

Fine.

January 16^th.  Friday.

Fine.

January 17^th.  Saturday.

Came home in 3 hours.

January 18^th.  Sunday.

Very fine.

January 19^th.  Monday.

Got home father’s cross.

January 20^th.  Tuesday.

Soft.

January 21^st.  Wednesday.

Very fine.  I visited schools of Caplin Cove &c.  Cealing T. Cove Chapel.  Dr. Cary came down.

January 22^nd.  Thursday.

Dull and foggy.  Ice reported in the vicinity of Bacaleau.  Killed a bullock.

January 23^rd.  Friday.

Very fine.  Splendid sleighing.

January 24^th.  Saturday.

Morning wet; evening fine.  Seventy Confessions at Tors Cove.

January 25^th.  Sunday.

Fine.

January 26^th.  Monday.

Dull.  A young man named Howlett of W. Bay lost his hand by the bursting of a gun.

January 27^th.  Tuesday.

Fine.  Thomas came from town.

January 28^th.  Wednesday.

Mild.

January 29^th.  Thursday.

Very fine.

January 30^th.  Friday.

Intensely cold with high wind.

January 31^st.  Saturday.

Wet.  Two hundred and ten brls. flour and meal sent on by the government for the relief of poor from Witless Bay to LaManche.  A portion landed at B. Bulls and some at Mobile.  The people of W. Bay had threatened to seize on it if landed here and hence their alowance was landed at Bay Bulls.  The allowance is 1 lb. Per head per day to be worked for, and this the people refuse to do.  They would rather be “ paupers”.  A degenerate spiritless race without any remnant of manhood or decency remaining to them.

February 1^st.  Sunday.

Very fine.  Seventy brls. flour and meal landed at Mobile for poor of that place and Tors Cove.  Very slippery sleighing.

February 2^nd.  Monday.

Masses at W. Bay and B. Bulls.

February 3^rd.  Tuesday.

Very cold.  William cutting ice.

February 4^th.  Wednesday.

Outwind and snow this morning.  Funeral of John Tierny; he was 95 years old.  Heavy gale west wind in the evening.

February 5^th.  Thursday.

Very fine and cold.  Dr. Cary here on a call to Tors Cove.  The health of the parish has been exceptionally good for the past 6 mos.  I had not a night-call during that time.

February 6^th.  Friday.

Fine and cold.  Thomas and William have filled their ice-house.

February 7^th.  Saturday.

Cold.  Good sleighing.

February 8^th.  Sunday.

Extreme cold.  Therm. 6° below 0.

February 9^th.  Monday.

Outwind and snow.  Sent Thomas Cary to town; he returned same evening.

February 10^th.  Tuesday.

Fine and very cold.  Hariet Molony buried.

February 11^th.  Ash Wednesday.

Extreme cold this morning and last night.  Therm. 12° below 0.  I had Mass in Tors Cove, evening prayers in Mobile.

February 12^th.  Thursday.

Very fine.  Frank Dillon broke his arm.  William went for Dr. Cary.

February 13^th.  Friday.

A good deal snow last night.

February 14^th.  Saturday.

Dull.  A gang hauled a quantity of stone to Tors Cove Chapel.

February 15^th.  Sunday.

Very fine.  Fr. Clancy here.  Sleighing heavy.  Heavy travelling.

February 16^th.  Monday.

Warmest day yet.  Fr. Walsh came.  Pat and others caught in slob while out “ducking”, escaped with difficulty.

February 17^th.  Tuesday.

Still snowing and drifting.  Fences covered, roads impassable and the largest Bankss of snow seen for years.

February 18^th.  Wednesday.

Fine.

N.B. There were five Sundays in this month, which event will not occur again for 100 years.

February 19^th.  Thursday.

Raining.  Government laborers shovelling main-line.

February 20^th.  Friday.

Very fine and freezing.

February 21^st.  Saturday.

Fine.  Went to Tors Cove.  Messrs. Scott and Murphy, telegraph-operators, arrived making arrangements to get poles allowing 2/- per stick.  Fr. Clancy here from St. John’s.  I heard 60 Confessions at T. Cove.

February 22^nd.  Sunday.

Called at 2 o’c A.M. from T. Cove to Mobile.  Outwind and sleet.

February 23^rd.  Monday.

Heavy rain.

February 24^th.  Tuesday.

Fine.  Fr. Walsh started for Cape Broyle.  Fr. Clancy went home on Sunday.  Commenced chopping frame of Mobile New Chapel.  A gang of 12 men.  Fifteen men working at Tors Cove Chapel today.  Very soft travelling.  Wild-duck most numerous this winter and numbers of them killed specially in vicinity of Burn Cove and the islands off it.

February 25^th.  Wednesday.

Wet.

February 26^th.  Thursday.

Free thaw.  Good work doing at Mobile and Tors Cove Chapel.  Ice in all the harbors.

February 27^th.  Friday.

Very mild.  Evening wet.  Snow going rapidly.

February 28^th.  Saturday.

Dull.

February 29^th.  Sunday.

Morning very fine, evening wet.  The weather during all this month was “ shuffling” and in the end very disagreeable.

March 1^st.  Monday.

Mild and thawing.

March 2^nd.  Tuesday.

Fine.  Margaret at Mobile.

March 3^rd.  Wednesday.

Drifting  a little.  Dr. Cary here.

March 4^th.  Thursday.

Very fine.  “Jack” ran away this evening and broke the sleigh.  I escaped unhurt.  Outwind and drift at night.  Of late there has been very stormy weather on the Atlantic; the ocean covered with ice.

March 5^th.  Friday.

Very fine.  A good deal snow fell last night.

March 6^th.  Saturday.

A storm of wind and drift.

March 7^th.  Sunday.

I did not travel today, not being very well, and the Bankss of snow large.  Fr. Roche got to Bay Bulls assisted by a guard of 6 men and a horse.

March 8^th.  Monday.Fine. There are going to the ice: 27 men from W. Bay, 18 men from B. Bulls, 9 men from Mobile and 9 men from T. Cove &c.

March 9^th.  Tuesday.

Fine and cold.  I am very unwell.  Fr. Roche went to Tors Cove to give evening prayers and look after the Chapel work.  Note from “McGee’s Weekly”-

In Scotland out of every 100 births 8.87 are illegitimate;

In England out of every 100 births 5.11 are illegitimate;

In Ireland out of every 100 births 2.36 are illegitimate.

March 10^th.  Wednesday.

A raw NE wind.  Thomas went to town about “ Relief”.  Sealing fleet sails.

March 11^th.  Thursday.

A dreadful storm of wind and snow last night and today.  The largest Bankss of snow yet.  Boats anchored at Bay Bulls drove from their moorings, saved with difficulty.

March 12^th.  Friday.

Still drifting and very cold.  Martha, wife of Uncle Harry, died.  She was 71 years of age; a native of Burin.  Maiden name Butler, R.I.P.

March 13^th.  Saturday.

Cold.

March 14^th.  Sunday.

Fine.  Thomas came from town, being two days walking home.

March 15^th.  Monday.

Very fine.  I went to Mobile.

March 16^th.  Tuesday.

Cold.

March 17^th.  Wednesday.

St. Patrick.  Raw North Easter.

March 18^th.  Thursday.

Men from Tors Cove to Aquaforte going to St. John’s to haul home poor Relief.  Father Clancy’s man went to town with two dogs to haul home a barrel to “His Reverence”.

March 19^th.  Friday.

Very cold.  Men from the Southward hauling home a half barrel meal per man on hand-slides today, through frost and snow.

March 20^th.  Saturday.

Mild.  Heavy ice on coast.  I heard confessions at Tors Cove.

March 21^st.  Sunday.

Drifting.

March 22^nd.  Monday.

Very fine.  First arrival from the ice, the “Walrus” S. S., loaded.

March 23^rd.  Tuesday.

Dull.

March 24^th.  Wednesday.

Ice still on coast.

March 25^th.  Thursday.

Mass and Exposition at Tors Cove, for the first time.  Drifting.

March 26^th.  Friday.

Snowing.

March 27^th.  Saturday.

Ceremonies at Tors Cove.  Vessels arriving slowly from the seal fishery.

March 28^th.  Easter Sunday.

Harbors all blocked with ice.  Sea-Ducks most numerous.

March 29^th.  Monday.

Fine and thawing.  Fr. Roche on Stations at Bay Bulls.

March 30^th.  Tuesday.

Fine.  Six men went from Witless Bay to work at Tors Cove Chapel.  Some cases of pleurisy at Tors Cove.

March 31^st.  Wednesday.

Raining.  Heavy ice, in over 200 very fine Prime Harps.  “Beating seals” landed at Witless Bay today; killed inside Gull Island.  A great “God send” to the poor people.  Some also killed in the other harbors.

Remarks

This was a most stormy and cold month;  heavy gales and snowfalls.  Great poverty on the whole shore which was rendered doubly severe on account of the needy having to have the Relief from St. John’s on bad paths and empty stomachs.  Very few arrivals from the ice and poor prospects of successful seal fishery.  A good deal of seals taken from the land in Green Bay, Bonavista Bay, and about St. John’s; recently, also our own shore.

April 1^st.  Thursday.

Foggy and chilly.  Some seals caught today.  The body of a man drifted along on the ice, but the ice was going so fast at the time that it could not be brought on shore.

April 2^nd.  Friday.

A great many seals landed at W. Bay and B. Bulls.  The dead body which drifted past on yesterday was landed today at Tors Cove.  It proved to be Patrick Hogan of Northern Bay, Conception Bay, one of four who perished off that place on Easter Saturday.  He had on his neck scapulars, on Agnus Deic, a medal of . S. Patrick and Bridget and a prayer copied by his “ Sister Jane Hogan 1877”- it was by these we recognized his faith and name. We had him placed in a double pitched coffin and sent on to town.  On today also David Howlett of Tors Cove, while shooting birds, discharged a load of seal-shot into the upper part of his right thigh.  I bandaged the wound and had him removed to hospital.  He lost a great quantity of blood, and, I fear, will not recover.  Edward Keefe died at Tors Cove, aged 18.  The first death that occurred from Tors Cove to LaManche for thirteen months.

April 3^rd.  Saturday.

Very fine.  Some seals taken.  A great number would have been killed, but the ice opened.  The S. S. Walrus took her second trip 5 miles off the”Narrows”.  David Howlett died in the hospital.

April 4^th.  Sunday.

Fine and thawing.  Some Witless Bay men saved themselves with difficulty from being driven off, while seal hunting today.

April 5^th.  Monday.

The ice open, and very few seals caught.  Fr. Roche went to St. John’s.  Seals selling at W. Bay for 21/6 per qtl.

April 6^th.  Tuesday.

Heavy rain.  Funeral of David Howlett.  Seals rose to 23/-.

April 7^th.  Wednesday.

Steamers arriving with very poor trips.  Ice shoving off.  Some seal hunters at Mobile and Tors Cove (in punts) made narrow escapes.

April 8^th.  Thursday.

A heavy gale NW.  Seals 24/6.

April 10^th.  Saturday.

Soft.  The Dean was very unwell for awhile this morning, he fainted.  Fr. Roche returned from St. John’s. (Fac. Recep.) .

April 11^th.  Sunday.

Raining.  The Dean well again, T. God.

April 12^th.  Monday.

Soft.  A gang from W. Bay and Mobile shovelling road for Dean’s carriage.  Twenty men working at Tors Cove Chapel viz-from Mobile-5, W. Bay-6 and Tors Cove 9. Two days each gang.

April 13^th.  Tuesday.

Snow showers.  Fr. Roche on Stations, B. Bulls.

April 14^th.  Wednesday.

Heavy breeze NW.  A call to LaManche.

April 15^th.  Thursday.

Raining.  Stations at Tors Cove.

April 16^th.  Friday.

Fine and thawing.  Stations at Tors Cove.

April 17^th.  Saturday.

Chilly.

April 18^th.  Sunday.

Outwind and snow.

April 19^th.  Monday.

Breeze NW.  Bankss of snow.  Anniversary of Dean’s ordination-57 years a priest.  He was for a drive today.

April 20^th.  Tuesday.

Fine.  Boats going to St. John’s.

April 21^st.  Wednesday.

Raining.  “Brothers” sailed for St. John’s.

April 22^nd.  Thursday.

Dull.  Finished Stations.

April 23 rd.  Friday.

Raining.  Used a carriage today.

April 24^th.  Saturday.

Chilly.  S. S. Caspian while entering narrows struck on a sunken rock.  A great deal of her cargo damaged.

April 25^th.  Sunday.

Very fine but cold.  Last of sealing steamers, in all, badly fished.

April 26^th.  Monday.

Fine.  Snow going fast.

April 27^th.  Tuesday.

Raining.  Last gang for the season at Tors Cove Chapel.

April 28^th.  Wednesday.

Very fine.  Ed. Leary here.  Thomas’ two boats came from St. John’s.  The dean goes to Mobile everyday.

April 29^th.  Thursday.

Fine.  Thomas came from town.

April 30^th.  Friday.

Fine.  On yesterday Dr. Power, accompanied by Fr. Mo. Ryan, salied for Rome on S. S. Hibernian.May 1^st.  Saturday.

Heavy rain.

May 2^nd.  Sunday.

Fine.  A gang clapboarding Tors Cove Chapel.  Called to LeManche.

May 3^rd.  Monday.

Fine.

May 4^th.  Tuesday.

Fine.  Preparing ground for potatoes.

May 5^th.  Wednesday.

Sowed first potatoes.

May 6^th.  Thursday.

Ascension.  Dull.  Stormy night.

May 7^th.  Friday.

Fine.  No fish yet.

May 8^th.  Saturday.

Very fine.  People at W. Bay still receiving government relief.

May 9^th.  Sunday.

Fine.  On Friday morning two men were washed off the deck of a Fermeuse boat and drowned.  One of them was named John Murphy of this place, the other, Grace of Brigus.  The boat had been driven off the land in the gale of Thursday night, and shipped a heavy sea while making in next morning.

May 10^th.  Monday.

Fine.  Thomas went to town; Aidan at Mobile.  Nuns sowed potatoes.

May 11^th.  Tuesday.

Raining.  Dr. Cary here.

May 12^th.  Wednesday.

Fine.

May 13^th.  Thursday.

NE wind and fog.  Thomas and Aidan came from town.

May 14^th.  Friday.

Wind NE.  Funeral at Tors Cove.  Two Banksers in, no fish.

May 15^th.  Saturday.

NE wind.  No account of fish being caught anywhere to this date.  William sailed for the Westward.

May 16^th.  Sunday.

NE wind and some rain.

May 17^th.  Monday.

Chilly.  Fr. Walshe here.

May 18^th.  Tuesday.

Very fine.  A few fish at W. Bay.

May 19^th.  Wednesday.

Very fine.  Martha Wall takes charge of Tors Cove school; 41 children present at opening.  Mr. White and Harry at Mobile.  First Salmon at Bay Bulls.

May 20^th.  Thursday.

Fine.

May 21^st.  Friday.

First summer day.  Fr. Walshe here from St. John’s.

May 22^nd.  Saturday.

Chilly.  A few fish at Tors Cove.

May 23^rd.  Sunday.

Fine.

May 24^th.  Monday.

Raining.  Good reports from the westward.

May 25^th.  Tuesday.

Chilly.  Some salmon at Tors Cove; Michael Power made me a present of one.

May 26^th.  Wednesday.

Chilly.  To this date the weather has been very cold, not a breeze of west wind.

May 27^th.  Thursday.

Very fine.  A procession of the most adorable Sacrament at Witless Bay, numerously attended.  Feast of “ Corpus Christi”.

May 28^th.  Friday.

Fine.

May 29^th.  Saturday.

Extremely warm.  On yesterday 50 people died from sunstroke in New York.

May 30^th.  Sunday.

Fine, but chilly.  Thomas and I went to St. John’s.

May 31^st.  Monday.

Dr. M. Howley went to Renewse to receive a nun in the Convent there.

Remarks

This month was very cold and damp.  A number of cows perished for want of hay.  No fish or salmon.  A great many people without summer supplies; no advance given at Witless Bay.

June 1^st.  Tuesday.

Dull.  I returned from town.

June 2^nd.  Wednesday.

Very fine.

June 3^rd.  Thursday.

Foggy.  No fish or salmon.  Banksers arriving well-fished.

June 4^th.  Friday.

Raining.  Received account of the death of Dean’s brother John, who died at Maxbooly on May 11^th.

June 5^th.  Saturday.

Raining.  Bad reports from Westward.  Father of J. and R. O’ Donnell arrived.

June 6^th.  Sunday.

Raining.  Harry White at Mobile.

June 7^th.  Monday.

Raining.  Fathers Clancy and Howley here.

June 8^th.  Tuesday.

Raining.  A bay Bulls Bankser arrived counting 450 qtls. Fish.  Some sign of fish today.

June 9^th.  Wednesday.

Heavy rain.  One boat at Mobile had a qtl. Fish.

June 10^th.  Thursday.

Foggy.  Frs. J. and R. O’ Donnell and self went to Renewse.

June 11^th.  Friday.

Fine.  No fish at Renewse.

June 12^th.  Saturday.

Dull.  We returned to W. Bay.  Several Banksers at Cape Broyle well fished.

June 13^th.  Sunday.

Heavy rain morning; evening very fine.

June 14^th.  Monday.

Showry.  Frs. R. O’ Donnell and Roche went to St. John’s.  Traps at Bay Bulls well fished today.  Had a gang hauling Father’s cross to the graveyard.

June 15^th.  Tuesday.

Heavy rain and gale of N. wind.  On yesterday a seine at Caplin Cove hauled 40 qtls. Fish.

June 16^th.  Wednesday.

Fine.  Erected Father’s Cross.  Fr. J. O’ Donnell arrived from Renewse.  First caplin seen; a little fish.

June 17^th.  Thursday.

Wet.  Our potatoes overground.

June 18^th.  Friday.

Very fine.  James McLoughlan here.

June 19^th.  Saturday.

Very fine.  Toads Cove woods on fire, caused by trouters from St. John’s.  Called to LaManche; Michael Melvin of that place has 80 qtls. fish hauled;  Michael Doyle, 60.  James O’ Donnel here.  He and Fr. Jeremiah went to town.

June 21^st.  Monday.

Fine.  First caplin hauled at Witless Bay, a good deal fish on them.  Some traps well fished at W. Bay and Mobile.  Fish hauled at Great Island.

June 22^nd.  Tuesday.

A cold and foggy northeaster.  No fish, caplin very scarce.  Dr. Cary here.

June 23^rd.  Wednesday.

Heavy rain, NE.  Fr. Roche went to town.  A good deal fish for hook and jiggers all along the shore, also in the neighbourhood of St. John’s, at Harbour Main &c.

June 24^th.  Thursday.

Fine, NE.  Fish “catching”, none for seines or traps.  Caplin not very plenty.

June 25^th.  Friday.

A breeze NW.  Traps at W. Bay well- fished.  Bummers doing well.  No fish hauled yet.  Fr. Roche came from town.

June 26^th.  Saturday.

Fine.  William and Walsh from the Westward with 80 and 100 qtls.  Western boats generally badly-fished.  Good deal fish in traps and catching.

June 27^th.  Sunday.

Outwind and rain.  Ambrose and Ed Ronayne home with 50 and 40 qtls.

June 28^th.  Monday.

Fine.  Bummers well fished on “bultows’, fish very large.

June 29^th.  Tuesday.

S. S. Peter and Paul.  Very fine.  People fishing for church.  Returns as follows;

Witless Bay                                         100 qtls.

Bay Bulls                                            70 qtls.

Mobile                                                70 qtls.

Tors Cove to LaManche                      70 qtls.

N. B.  Lewis did very little.  Traps well.  Bultows fairly.  A great deal fish caught at Renewse and Fermeuse, not so much at Ferryland.

June 30^th.  Wednesday.

Very warm.  Caplin most abundant.  William hauled 20 qtls. fish.

Remarks

The weather during this month was dull and chilly.  A good deal fish caught on hook and line and in traps.  Western fishery in general not good, owing to scarcity of herring.

July 1^st.  Thursday.

Very fine.  Fish plenty on Bultows, not much for traps or seines.  Earthing potatoes.

July 2^nd.  Friday.

Very warm.  Fish pretty.  Thomas had 25 qtls. in trap, some hauled.

July 3^rd.  Saturday.

Chilly.  Evening very wet.

July 4^th.  Sunday.

Very fine.

July 5^th.  Monday.

Very fine.  Fr. Walshe and Mother Aloysius( of Riverhead) here.  Great deal fish trapped.  Fr. Roche to town.

July 6^th.  Tuesday.

Fine. ( Breeze W. yesterday).

July 7^th.  Wednesday.

Fine.  Fish for traps and seines, none catching.  M. Feely begins work-6/6 per day.

July 8^th.  Thursday.

Fine.  My eye sore.

July 9^th.  Friday.

Heavy thunder at morning.  A great deal fish trapped at Mobile.  Frs. Walsh and Scoot here.  Some B. Bulls codseine men from Westward loaded, from Cape St. Mary’s ground.

July 10^th.  Saturday.

Heavy rain and thunder at evening.

July 11^th.  Sunday.

Very fine.  Dr. Cary here.

July 12^th.  Monday.

Very fine.  Fr. Roche and Mother Aloysius went to town.  Mary Wade of Conception Hr. came as Lay Sister to Convent.

July 13^th.  Tuesday.

A splendid day.  Parties cutting up seines to make traps.  No fish for seines.  Last night Dr. Thomas Howley called to see Dean.

July 14^th.  Wednesday.

Heavy rain.

July 15^th.  Thursday.

Fine.  Breeze, W. wind.

July 16^th.  Friday.

Very fine.  Fr. Scott here from Renewse.  Great deal fish in traps.  William took from a trap 150 qtls.

July 17^th.  Saturday.

Fine.  A report of a quantity fish trapped at Ferryland.  No fish for hook and line since early in July.

July 18^th.  Sunday.

Wet and foggy.  Two cases of Diptheria at Mobile, one death.

July 19^th.  Monday.

Very warm.

July 20^th.  Tuesday.

From this date until the end of the month my eye was sore.  The weather during July was very fine and calm and excessively warm.  No fish to be caught or netted, but very plentiful for traps, and towards the end of the month there was a good deal hauled.  Very poor trips from the westward.  Labrador and Straits good.

BREAK IN DIARY

August 1^st.  Sunday.

Very fine.  On yesterday a freighter our coals.  Crops good.

August 2^nd.  Monday.

A great deal fish trapped at Mobile yesterday and today.  Caplin abundant; no squids anywhere, even in Conception and Trinity Bays.  Stephen French lost a freighter at Pety Harbour.

August 3^rd.  Tuesday.

Fine.

August 4^th.  Wednesday.

Fine.  Tom Keough called.

August 5^th.  Thursday.

Fine.  Received a telegram from Queenstown saying that Annie had left for Newfoundland.

August 6^th.  Friday.

Very fine.  Confessions at Tors Cove.  A sudden peal of thunder and heavy rain for 10 minutes at 2:00 P.M.

August 7^th.  Saturday.

Fine.

August 9^th.  Monday.Fine.  No fish.  New potatoes.  Put first new hay in barn.  Dr. Cary here.

August 10^th.  Tuesday.

Dull.  Some fish on Squids.

August 11^th.  Wednesday.

Fine.  William sailed for the W.  D. T. Greene and wife called.  Traps landed.  My eyes still sore.

August 12^th.  Thursday.

Foggy.  Dr. Power and Dr. Ryan arrived from “ Hibernian”, also my sister Annie.

August 13^th.  Friday.

Fine.

August 14^th.  Saturday.

Fine.  Annie came home.  A priest named Fr. Martin arrived with Dr. Power.  He is a middle-aged man, and has been on the Irish mission.

August 15.  Sunday.

Assumption.  Very fine.  Boats did well at the Point and Glace Cove this week, all that had bait making large catches.  On Thursday night a steamer named “Flavian” ran ashore in fog at Great Island.  She was a new ship of 1300 tns.  General cargo, principally, bell-metal, railway iron, delf and salt.  Her cargo is being discharged, and she will propbably be got off.  Capt. Prior was second officer on board. NB. A seine hauled 40 qtls. fish at Tors Cove.

August 16^th.  Monday.

Very fine.  A Tors Cove man, Laurence Blackler, fellinto the hold of the “Flavian” today and was badly bruised.  Mobile and Tors Cove full of fish and caplin. Lewis taken aboard in Tors Cove.  Fish for catching on bait of all kinds and to be jigged.  F. Clancy here.

August 17^th.  Tuesday.

Very fine.  Annie and S. went to LaManche.  Fish plenty.

August 18^th.  Wednesday.

A beautiful day.  Casting caplin at Mobile today; herring also abundant.

August 19^th.  Thursday.

Very fine.  Thomas Greene and some trouters at Mobile.  Fish very plentiful.

August 20^th.  Friday.

Foggy.  Fr. Clancy here.

August 21^st.  Saturday.

Very fine.  Thomas and Annie went to Ferryland.  Some boats from Westcoast with 100 qtls. for a fortnight.  Squids scarce.

August 22^nd.  Sunday.

Raining.

August 23^rd.  Monday.

Very fine.  Thomas and Pat putting off first “dry fish”.  Herring abundant.  No squids.

August 24^th.  Tuesday.

Fine.

August 25^th.  Wednesday.

Dull. All our hay in barn, not a good crop.  Potatoes small, no blight.

August 26^th.  Thursday.

Very fine.  Hannah and family arrived.

August 27^th.  Friday.

Very fine.

August 28^th.  Saturday.

Dull.  Heavy rain at night and a very heavy gale from SW.  William home with 85 qtls. after a fortnight.  The best week’s fish at W. Bay for years, on herring.  No squids anywhere.

August 29^th.  Sunday.

Raining.

August 30^th.  Monday.

Fine.  No bait.  On yesterday an Irish sailor was killed by falling from the yard-arm of the “Flavian”, at Great Island.

August 31^st.  Tuesday.

Very fine.  Fr. Roche and I brought the Dean to LaManche, with a “pair”.

Remarks

The weather during this month was remarkably fine.  Fish was most abundant whenever bait could be procured.  Squids were never known to be so scarce.  The Labrador catch equal to last year.  The straits also good.  Prices fish, 18/-, 15/-, 12/-.

September 1^st.  Wednesday.

A delightful day.  Dr. Cary here.

September 2^nd.  Thursday.

A delightful day.

September 3^rd.  Friday.

High W. wind and some rain.

September 4^th.  Saturday.

Dull.  Extremely sultry.  “Brothers” from westward, 75 qtls.  Bait scarce this week, but fish to be caught whenever bait was procured.

September 5^th.  Sunday.

Very warm and showry.  Announced “Dues” at Mobile and Tors Cove.  Hannah and Mrs. White went to town.

September 6^th.  Monday.

Very fine and warm.  Fr. Roche went to town.  One of the warmest days to date.

September 7^th.  Tuesday.

Fine and very warm.  Fish scarce.

September 8^th.  Wednesday.

Fine and very warm.

Sept 9^th.  Thursday.

Fine.  Anniversary of Dr. Power’s arrival.

Sept 10^th.  Friday.

Dull.  Wind NE.  Fr. P. O’Donnell and Fr. Roche came from town.

September 11^th.  Saturday.

Raining.  On yesterday the S. S. “Flavian” was floated off the rocks at Great Island, £7,000 having been expended in the enterprise.  The enquirers were Mr. Condon of St. John’s and Chisholm of Liverpool.

September 12^th.  Sunday.

Very fine.  Nothing done on fishing grounds the past week, no bait.  On yesterday arrived in St. John’s, the Rev. Thomas Roc, nephew of Father Hennebury for the Hr. Grace Mission.

September 13^th.  Monday.

Fine and very warm.  Cut oats.

September 14^th.  Tuesday.

Fine and very warm.

September 15.  Wednesday.

“Raining”.

September 16^th.  Thursday.

Fine.

September 17^th.  Friday.

Very warm.  Fr. S. O’ Donnell, Annie and I took a drive on the Holyrood Line, road very bad.

September 18^th.  Saturday.

Fine.  No fish past week, for want of bait.

September 19^th.  Sunday.

Very fine.  A “call” to Tors Cove last night.  James O’ Donnell came for Father Jeremiah.  Fr. T. Walsh arrived from Renewse.

September 20^th.  Monday.

Dull.  Wind NE.

September 21^st.  Tuesday.

Fine.  No bait, but fish plenty.

September 22^nd.  Wednesday.

Dull.

September 23^rd.  Thursday.

Fine.  No bait.

September 24^th.  Friday.

Dull.  The Dean was unwell this morning with turn of the stomach.  Dr. Cary happened to be in W. Bay at the time.

September 25^th.  Saturday.

Fine.  Dean well again.  No bait of any of the past.  Fish plenty.

September 26^th.  Sunday.

Chilly.  A heavy breeze NE.  Fr. Clancy here en route to town.

September 27^th.  Monday.

Dull.  NE>

September 28^th.  Tuesday.

Dull.  NE.  William gave up the western voyage.

September 29^th.  Wednesday.

Raining.

September 30^th.  Thursday.

Dull.  Thomas came from town.  Fr. Pat O’ Donnell, Bridget Leavy and Alice O’ Donnell arrived.

Remarks

During this month very little fish was caught owing to scarcity of bait.  If bait had been plenty, any quantity of fish would have been caught.  Crops—hay deficient; potatoes small, but dry; turnips very good; flour cheap-from 26/-; pork, butter and molasses reasonable; fish 18/-16/-14/-.

October 1^st.  Friday.

Exceedingly warm.

October 2^nd.  Saturday.

Fine.  During the past week Rev.  Mother had gangs last week enlarging the Convent stable.

October 3^rd.  Sunday.

Very fine.  Fr. Pat O’ Donnell left for St. John’s.

October 4^th.  Monday.

Very fine.  Western boats giving up the voyage-plenty fish, but no bait.  Court passed to Ferryland on circuit.  Fr. Roche loading a boat at Bay Bulls.

October 5^th.  Tuesday.

Fine.

October 6^th.  Wednesday.

Dull.  Thomas came from town.

October 7^th.  Thursday.

Showry.  Two boats belonging to Wm. Fortune of Tors Cove brought home from the Banks; one 25, the other 28 qtls. fish.

October 8^th.  Friday.

Very fine.  People digging their potatoes; they are small, but dry, no blight.

October 9^th.  Bait still scarce.

October 10^th.  Sunday.

Fine.  Announced Mr. Fred Goodridge as the candidate selected by the Priests of the Shore to fill Mr. Conroy’s vacancy.

October 11^th.  Monday.

Very fine.  William loaded and went to St. John’s.  Good deal fish catching on very little bait.  Some squids at Tors Cove.  Father John Ryan and James McLoughnan here.

October 12^th.  Tuesday.

Pretty fine.  Digging our potatoes.

October 13^th.  Wednesday.

Pretty fine.  Dull in the evening.  A heavy sea for the past 8 days.  Finished potatoes; they are rather small, but very dry.  The potato crop generally is the best for years, no blight.

October 14^th.  Thursday.

Outwind and heavy rain.  Evening wind came off in a gale.

October 15^th.  Friday.

Showry.  A heavy sea.

October 16^th.  Saturday.

Dull.  Finished digging potatoes.

October 17^th.  Sunday.

A heavy breeze from the N last night and today.  Fr. J. Walsh here.

October 18^th.  Monday.

Fine.  Dr. Cary here.  Heavy sea.

October 19^th.  Tuesday.

Dull.  Judge Prowse held Court in the Schoolhouse of W. Bay today.  Court is to be held here once a month by one of the Judges of the Magistrate’s Court of St. John’s.

October 20^th.  Wednesday.

Very fine.  Put off dues at T. Cove.  Hannah and Annie came from town.

October 21^st.  Thursday.

Fine and chilly.  Frs. Walsh and Scott here.

October 22^nd.  Friday.

Dull.  Uncle Jerry annointed.

October 23^rd.  Saturday.

Dull.  NE wind and heavy sea for the past fortnight.

October 24^th.  Sunday.

Dull.

October 25^th.  Monday.

Uncle Jerry died this morning at 5 o’c.  He was 76 years of age-R.I.P.

October 26^th.  Tuesday.

Chilly and dull, wind NE.  I had mass for Uncle Jerry in Bay Bulls.

October 27^th.  Wednesday.

Dull.  Uncle Jerry buried.  Fr. Roche returned from town.

BREAK IN DIARY: PAGES  89 and 90 missing

November 24^th.  Wednesday.

Fine.  Masons working at the Dean’s vault.

November 25^th.  Thursday.

Fine.

November 26^th.  Friday.

Snowing, first sleighing.

November 27^th.  Saturday.

Fine.  Dr. Cary here.  The Inspector of Schools arrived.

November 28^th.  Sunday.

Very fine.  Williams’ boat from town.

November 29^th.  Monday.

Dull.  Killed a cow.

November 30^th.  Tuesday.

Some snow last night, soft today.  Mr. Fenelon began school inspection yesterday.

December 1^st.  Wednesday.

Cold, fine sleighing.  William left on last trip.

December 2^nd.  Thursday.

Very fine.  Killed a cow-212lbs.

December 3^rd.  Friday.

Dull.  John Dwyer making stall for nuns.

December 4^th.  Saturday.

NW wind and drift.  Pat Fortune came from town, last “trip”.

December 5^th.  Sunday.

Fine.

December 6^th.  Monday.

Chilly.  Mother over.  Killed a cow-300 lbs.

December 7^th.  Tuesday.

Soft and thawing.

December 8^th.  Wednesday.

Thomas went to town.  Soft.

December 9^th.  Thursday.

Raining.  Kelly, Mason, building Convent Schoolhouse chimney.

December 10^th.  Friday.

Chilly.  William came from town.

December 11^th.  Saturday.

Cold Northeaster.

December 12^th.  Sunday.

Heavy rain.  I was unwell today.  Thomas and Harry White came from town.

December 13^th.  Monday.

Cold NW wind.  Fr. Battcock passed on to Brigus.  Brother to Fr. G, William Battcock, died this morning from the effects of a gun accident.

December 14^th.  Tuesday.

Dull and foggy.  Bad sleighing.

December 15^th.  Wednesday.

Heavy rain; snow gone.

December 16^th.  Thursday.

Raining.

December 17^th.  Friday.

Fine and very warm.  Dr. Cary here.

December 18^th.  Saturday.

Some snow fell last night.

December 19^th.  Sunday.

Very fine, good sleighing.

December 20^th.  Monday.

Fine.  Pat went to town.

December 21^st.  Tuesday.

Dull.  Heavy NE wind.

December 22^nd.  Wednesday.

Foggy and soft.

BREAK IN DIARY: PAGES 93 and 94 missing.

1881

January 22^nd.  Saturday.

Dull.

January 23^rd.  Sunday.

Outwind and some snow last night; hardly enough for sleighing.

January 24^th.  Monday.

Wind W and some snow.

January 25^th.  Tuesday.

A good deal snow last night.  First sleighing since early in December.

January 26^th.  Wednesday.

Fine.

January 27^th.  Thursday.

Fine.

January 28^th.  Friday.

Fine.  Good news from William.

January 29^th.  Saturday.

Dull.

January 30^th.  Sunday.

Very fine.  Fr. Walsh here.

January 31^st.  Monday.

Very fine.  Fr. Walsh here.

Remarks

The oldest inhabitant can’t recall sush a mild winter.  Very little poverty to date.  Good work doing at Tors Cove Chapel.  No carpenter employed.

February 1^st.  Tuesday.

Very fine.  Thomas went to town.

February 2^nd.  Wednesday.

A big gang at Tors Cove hauling stone for wall under Chapel-greatest enthusiasm.

February 3^rd.  Thursday.

Fine.  Fr. Roche called to Tors Cove at 10 ½ P.M.

February 4^th.  Friday.

Fine.

February 5^th.  Saturday.

Fine.

February 6^th.  Sunday.

Fine.

Fine.  Fr. Roche went to town.  Had a call to Bay Bulls, another to Burn Cove.  Coercion Bill for Ireland passed.

February 8^th.  Tuesday.

Very fine.

February 9^th.  Wednesday.

Very fine.  The Dean remarkably well.

February 10^th.  Thursday.

Very fine.

February 11^th.  Friday.

Raining.

February 12^th.  Saturday.

Fine.  A great many cases measles in Witless Bay.

February 13^th.  Sunday.

Outwind and snow, turned to rain.

February 14^th.  Monday.

Fine.  W. Bay full measles.

February 15^th.  Tuesday.

Fine.  Spent night in Tors Cove.  Good work doing at Burn Cove quarry.

February 16^th.  Wednesday.

Outwind and drift in the morning, evening fine, heavy breeze W.

February 17^th.  Thursday.

???

February 18^th.  Friday.

Very fine.

February 19^th.  Saturday.

Outwind and drift from 3:00 to 8:00 P. M.  Rain at night and heavy breeze W.

February 20^th.  Sunday.

Very fine.  Harry White at Mobile.  Fr. Clancy here going to town.

February 21^st.  Monday.

Fine.

February 22^nd.  Tuesday.

Outwind and heavy drift, turned into rain in the evening.  The Dean remarkably well.

February 23^rd.  Wednesday.

Heavy breeze W.  A very heavy sea in Mobile yesterday, the most violent for years.  Not so at Witless Bay.  The priest’s house of Fermeuse burnt down.  The woman in charge of it narrowly escaping.  It was an old house and not worth much.

February 24^th.  Thursday.

Heavy travelling.

February 25^th.  Friday.

Fine.  A gang hauling stone from Burnt Cove quarry.

February 26^th.  Saturday.

Morning fine, evening some snow.  Pat went to and returned from town.

February 27^th.  Sunday.

Heavy breeze NW, with snowshowers, very cold.  The salvage case of the” Alice Lyne” was settled during the past week.  This vessel was abandoned about six weeks ago five miles north of Bay Bulls; 21 men from B.B. boarded and brought her to St. John’s; she was valued at £3,500.  The salvors received each £22.15.0 only, being entitled to at least double that amount.

February 28^th.  Monday.

Soft, snow melting fast.

Remarks

The weather during this month was very fine; no severe frost or heavy snow storms; no ice on coast.  A good deal of poverty.  Very few from this parish going to the ice.  A great deal work done by the people of Tors Cove at their new chapel.  Some very fine sticks and a large quantity of stone procured by the people of Mobile for a similar purpose.  A good deal poverty at W. Bay and Tors Cove; relieved promptly by the government.

March 1^st.  Tuesday.

Very warm and free thaw.  Fortune storing ice.  It is 12 ins. Thick.  Wind NE.

March 2^nd.  Wednesday.

Dies cinerum.  Very fine, thawing, wind NE.  I had Mass in Tors Cove.

March 3^rd.  Thursday.

Fine.  Great many children dying of Measles.

March 4^th.  Friday.

Very fine.  Received bad news of William.

March 5^th.  Saturday.

Fine.  Pat and Stephen went to town enroute to Harbor Main.  Received letter from Fr. O’ Donnell stating that William is better.

March 6^th.  Sunday.

Heavy SE wind, and rain.

March 7^th.  Monday.

Heavy SE wind, and rain and snow.

March 8 th.  Tuesday.

Very fine.  Thomas’ ice all in.

March 9^th.  Wednesday.

Very fine.  Pat returned reporting favourably of William.

March 10^th.  Thursday.

Steamers sailed for the ice.  From the Port of St. John’s 12 steamers and 3 sailing ships , 5,107 Tons and 3,294 Men.  Two vessels less than last year.

March 11^th.  Friday.

Fine.  Corpse of Joanna Crane(Davis), brought to Mobile.  Thomas to town.

March 12^th.  Saturday.

Very fine.  Ninety eight Confessions at Tors Cove.

March 13^th.  Sunday.

Outwind and rain.

March 14^th.  Monday.

Fine.

March 15^th.  Tuesday.

Very fine, thawing.

March 16^th.  Wednesday.

Very fine.  A gang putting in windows of Tors Cove Chapel.

March 17^th.  Thursday.

St. Patrick.  Fine.  Funeral of Michael Moore.  NE.

March 18^th.  Friday.

Heavy breeze NE and wet snow.  Sealing steamers said to be jammed in Green Bay.  Dr. Cary here.

March 19^th. Saturday.

Raining.  Breeze NE.

March 20^th.  Sunday.

Very fine.  NE.  No ice.  The wind has been from the North since Tuesday, without any appearance of ice.

March 21^st.  Monday.

Dull.  Sealing steamer”Tiger”, Capt. Dawe, arrived from the Gulf loaded; reports S. S. “Leopard” full.  A seal seen in Mobile.  Carriaging.

March 22^nd.  Tuesday.

Foggy.  I am unwell today.

March 23^rd.  Wednesday.

Foggy and raining.

March 24^th.  Thursday.

Very fine, snow near all gone.

March 25^th.  Friday.

Annunciation.  Fine.

March 26^th.  Saturday.

Chilly and dull.

March 27^th.  Sunday.

NW wind with some snow.

March 28^th.  Monday.

Rain.

March 29^th.  Tuesday.

Very fine.

March 30^th.  Wednesday.

Very fine.

March 31^st.  Thursday.

Dull.  Snow in the evening.

Remarks

This month has been remarkably mild and fine.  No ice on the coast.  A great many deaths, especially from measles at Witless Bay.  A great deal of poverty at Witless Bay and Tors Cove, relieved by government giving the road grants in advance.  Very little work done in return, except at Mobile.

April 1^st.  Friday.

Very fine.  I celebrated Mass for the last time in the old Chapel of Tors Cove.  Removed theAltar and furniture to new chapel.  William Morey’s boat landing freight at Witless Bay.

April 2^nd.  Saturday.

Fine.

April 3^rd.  Sunday.

Fine.  I celebrated Mass for the first time in the New Chapel of Tors Cove.  The Chapel was merely blessed, the ceremony of Dedication being deferred until the work is nearer completion.

April 4^th.  Monday.

Fine.

April 5^th.  Tuesday.

Fine.  A gang from Mobile removing the ceiling of the old Chapel, Tors Cove.  The materials of this chapel are to used in the new Chapel of Mobile.  A gang also working at the new chapel grounds.  S. S. “Resolute”, Capt. Jackman from the ice loaded, 26,000.  People of W. Bay and Tors Cove in for Relief.

April 6^th.  Wednesday.

Fine.  Evening chilly.

April 7^th.  Thursday.

Fine and cold.  Good work doing at the grounds of Tors Cove Chapel-15 men.

April 8^th.  Friday.

???

April 9^th.  Saturday.

Very fine.  Several steamers from the seal fishery with full trips.

April 10^th.  Sunday.

Palm Sunday.  A beautiful day.

April 11^th.  Monday.

Fine.  Stephen went to Ferryland.

April 12^th.  Tuesday.

Dull.  Mr. John White received into the Church by Father Clancy.

April 13^th.  Wednesday.

Very fine.

April 14^th.  Thursday.

Dull.  Ceremonies at Witless Bay and Tors Cove.

April 15^th.  Good Friday.

Raining.

April 16^th.  Easter Saturday.

Very fine and warm.  Some steamers arriving from the seal fishery with poor trips.

April 17^th.  Easter Sunday.

Raining.  Rejoicings at Tors Cove for the New Chapel.

April 18^th.  Monday.

Fine.  Commenced ploughing.  Fencing “ Pelters Farm”.

April 19^th.  Tuesday.

Very fine.  The Dean is fifty two (52) years ordained today.  He assisted at Mass this morning, celebrated by me in the dining room.  Stations at Tors Cove.  Dr. Cary here.  Erecting a new belfry at Tors Cove and painting inside of Chapel.  Twenty men at work.

April 20^th.  Wednesday.

Very fine.  Stations T. Cove.

April 21^st.  Thursday.

It froze very hard last night.  The sky illuminated with Aurora.  Today chilly.  Fr. Roche on Stations.

April 22^nd.  Friday.

Fine.

BREAK IN DIARY: PAGES 102 and 103 missing.

May 17^th.  Tuesday.

Very fine.  At 10:00, two nuns received the white veil of the Presentation Order from the Bishop in Witless Bay Chapel.  They were my sisters Annie and Mary Wade-in religion Sisters M. Philomena and Josephine, Laysister.  A very large congregation was present.  Sixty children walked in procession, twenty six guests were entertainer at a dejeunier in the Convent, and 115 children dined in the schoolroom.  The Bishop, Frs. Walsh and Roche left for Ferryland at 3:00.

May 18^th.  Wednesday.

Fine.

May 19^th.  Thursday.

Dull.  Evening wet.  The Bishop and Priests arrived from Renewse at 8:00 P.M.  There was a profession at Renewse.

May 20^th.  Friday.

Fine.  Dr. Power and Fr. Walsh left for town at 9 ½ o’c.  First salmon.

May 21^st.  Saturday.

Fine.  A Bankser, T. Williams, at Bay Bulls with 600 qtls.

May 22^nd.  Sunday.

Very fine, but chilly.

May 23^rd.  Monday.

Very fine, but chilly.  Mick Walsh sailed for the westward.

May 24^th.  Tuesday.

Fine.  A punt at Mobile had a fish and a salmon weighing 21 lbs.

May 25^th.  Wednesday.

Chilly, it froze last night.  Had a gang at Tors Cove Chapel.  Eighty Confessions at T. Cove.  There was snow on the ground this morning.

May 26^th.  Thursday.

Ascension.  Very fine.  There fell a little snow last night.  No account of fish from any quarter, except “ Bankss”.

May 27^th.  Friday.

Dull.

May 28^th.  Saturday.

Fine.  Some fish at W. Bay.

May 29^th.  Sunday.

Very fine.

May 3oth.  Monday.

I went to town.

May 31^st.  Tuesday.

I was unwell.

Remarks

The weather during this month was chilly, and unfavorable for fish and crops.  NO fish anywhere.  Merchants supplying pretty freely.

June 1^st.  Wednesday.

Very fine.

June 2^nd.  Thursday.

Very fine.  Stephen and I went to Harbor Main.

June 3^rd.  Friday.

I was at Hr. Main until

June 7^th.  Tuesday.

Stephen , William and I left Hr. Main, arriving at Topsail at 5 o’c where we spent the night.

June 8^th.  Wednesday.

Very fine.  We arrived home at 4 ½ o’c.  Ben Cary from Westward with 50 qtls.  Two small Banksers at Bay Bulls loaded.  Michael Melvin of LaManche has 120 qtls. fish hauled.  No fish catching; no salmon.

June 9^th.  Thursday.

Morning very wet; evening fine.  Heavy breeze NW.

June 10^th.  Friday.

Fine.

June 11^th.  Saturday.

Fine.  Some sign of fish today.

June 12^th.  Sunday.

Very fine.

June 13^th.  Monday.

Very fine.  Report of fish being trapped at Ferryland and Brigus.

June 14^th.  Tuesday.

Very warm.

June 15^th.  Wednesday.

Very fine.  First caplin seen at Tors Cove.  Ed Ronayne from westward with poor trip and bad reports.  No fish on the caplin, up to this there has been very little fish for hook and line.  Dr. Cary here.

June 16^th.  Thursday.

Corpus Christi.  Morning wet; cleared up at 2:00.  Procession at 4 ½.

June 17^th.  Friday.

Very fine.  Good signs of fish today.  Traps well fished at Tors Cove, Mobile and Bay Bulls.  A good deal fish also jigged.

June 18^th.  Saturday.

Dull.  Uncle Harry to Mobile.

June 19^th.  Sunday.

Heavy sea and breeze N.  Heavy rain last night.  I was unwell today and had no mass.

June 20^th.  Monday.

Fine.  Traps driven and torn in yesterday’s sea; none , however, altogether lost.

June 21^st.  Tuesday.

Very fine.  First caplin got at Witless Bay; good deal fish on them.  Good signs fish everywhere.

June 22^nd.  Wednesday.

Raining, NE.  Earthing potatoes, and transplanting.

June 23^rd.  Thursday.

Fine.  Heavy breeze NW.

June 24^th.  Friday.

Fine and chilly.  Re-lit fires.

June 25^th.  Saturday.

Very fine.  End of a very good week’s fishing for hook and line, some traps also did remarkably well on all the shore.  Poor accounts from the W.

June 26^th.  Sunday.

Very fine.  A western boat home to Tors Cove with 90 qtls. NB. A comet appeared in the Northern sky.

June 27^th.  Monday.

Very fine.  A good day’s fishing for traps and hook and line.

June 28^th.  Tuesday.

Fine.  Fish scarce today.  Stephen and Senior Greene came from town.

June 29^th.  Wednesday.

S. S. Peter and Paul.  People fishing for the church and secured very little owing to a storm of wind and sea that sprung up at 1:00 P.M. continuing all the evening and night.  Wind SE.  Great anxiety felt for the safety of fishing traps.

June 30^th.  Thursday.

Fine.  Traps not much damaged and most of them well fished.

Remarks

The weather during this month was remarkably cold, not a warm day and no west winds.  The crops look well, especially grass and potatoes.  The shore fishery very fair, especialy trapping.  Western fishery, in general, not good.  Herring most abundant.  Banksers did well, but lost a good deal of gear owing to rough weather.

July 1^st.  Friday.

Fine.  Good fishing for traps.  Walsh from Westward, 70 qtls.

July 2^nd.  Saturday.

Dull.  The strongest tide known for years; traps very much damaged by it.  Ambrose Ronayne from Westward, 65 qtls. for 4 hands.

July 3^rd.  Sunday.

Very fine.  A number of traps landed in a damaged state; permission given to repair and set them.

July 4^th.  Monday.

Very fine.  No fish in traps today, owing to very strong tides.  Some fish caught.  Fr. Walsh, Renewse, here.

July 5^th.  Tuesday.

Raining.  Not much fish today.

July 6^th.  Wednesday.

Morning wet, evening fine.  Not much fish.  Hannah and family came from town.

BREAK IN DIARY: Pages 108, 109, 110, 111 missing.

August 29^th.  Monday.

Dull.

August 30^th.  Tuesday.

Fine.

August. 31^st.  Wednesday.

Dull.

Remarks

Very dull weather.  Great deal fish and hay spoiled.  Not much fish to be caught except on Cape Boland(Bollard?) Banks.  Western boats did not do much.  Crops not good.

END

Typed by Ray Curran October 2001