tales-of-Fogo-Island

The Light in the BightOne evening in the early 1900's, Jim Meean and his crew were returning froma good trip 'on the Labrador.' They almost reached the safety of TiltingHarbour when a bad storm came in from the northeast. Before long, their boatwas swamped and sank out in the bight. Witnesses could not attempt arescue because of the poor conditions. All of the crew members drowned.After the sinking, the people of Tilting would see a light in the bight when astorm came on from the northeast. This usually happened in the late fall orearly winter. The light was small and moved around like a boat floating on thewater. The people would see the light for only a short time, before it againdisappeared.Many older people in Tilting saw 'the light in the bight' several times and soondecided that something had to be done about it. They went to the parishpriest, Dr. Jones for help. The next time the light appeared, they went with thepriest to Burke's Hill, the best location to view the light. They prayed for thesouls of Jim Meean and his crew until the priest made the sign of the crosstoward the light. The light faded and was never seen again.Some people believe that the Meeans found their eternal rest that night.Weather Lights and Jack O' LanternsYears ago, many people reported seeing strange lights in the sky. They oftencalled these 'weather lights' because they were common before a severestorm. Some people say the lights would appear out of 'thin air' and lookedlike balls of fire. They could occur over land or water. Although these lightswere a common sight, there was no explanation for their appearance.Some people were frightened when they spotted a weather light. Others tookit all in good humor. One man told the following story:One night Abe and Uncle Andy was bringing the mail by dog team. Abesaid, "Look by! There's a weather light coming!" Uncle Andy answered,"He couldn't come at a better time! 'Tis just gettin' dark!"