tales-of-Fogo-Island

Tragedy at the IceThe seal hunt is a part of Newfoundland and Labrador culture. For localpeople, the hunt is a source of extra income and delicious meat. However,sealing or 'swiling' can be very dangerous work. In the days before largesealing vessels and accurate weather forecasting, many trips to the ice endedin tragedy.On April 7, 1917, a number of men from Joe Batt's Arm, Barr'd Islands andTilting went to the ice in search of seals. The wind was blowing in a northeasterlydirection and the pack ice was close to the land. Three brothers;Joseph, Stephen, and Walter Jacobs, and their friend, Francis Pomeroy wereon the ice that day. These men were from the south side of Joe Batt's Arm.Two other men from the north side of the harbour, Hubert Freake and WilliamFreake also took to the ice.After being on the ice for some time, thick fog rolled in, making it difficult forthe sealers to find their way. The wind also changed direction and blew the iceaway from the shore. The men were trapped on the ice pans. The poorweather and ice conditions continued for more than a week, making itimpossible to attempt a rescue. As time passed, the men's families knew therewas little hope of finding their loved ones alive.In June, a man from the Twillingate area picked up a 'sealing gaff' nearMoreton's Harbour. The gaff belonged to Joseph Jacobs. A message wasscratched into the wood. It read, "April 11, lying down to die." The person whofound the gaff gave it to another man who sent it to Thomas and Mary Jacobs,the parents of the Jacobs brothers. For twenty years, the gaff was kept at theirhome. Today, the gaff may be seen at the Fishermen's Lodge in Joe Batt'sArm.Mr. Paddy Higgins RemembersAye, I was out on the ice that day. Twas the seventh day of April 1917.It was six or seven o'clock in the morning when all hands took to the ice. I andFrank Adams, Billy Cobbs and Will Adams went out to the lighthouse. SkipperNath Brett was the lighthouse keeper. He and old Peter Penton was lookingout fer their crowd. Will Adams had a crippled foot, so he stayed at thelighthouse for a while with them. Another feller, John Adams did not go out