tales-of-Fogo-Island

Tragedy on Duck IslandIn the summer of 1937, Mary Ellen (Penton) Beresford and several othermembers of the Penton family arrived in Joe Batt's Arm for a holiday. Likemost people that lived 'away', they enjoyed a visit to their childhood home.Everyone had a wonderful time and left the island with memories of a greatvacation. Unlike the others, Mary Ellen chose to stay in Joe Batt's Arm for afew extra days.One morning, she decided it was a perfect day for a picnic on Duck Island,near Joe Batt's Arm. At first, her mother was not interested in going, but MaryEllen convinced her that it would be fun. Mary Ellen's nine-year-old brother,Leonard, and seven-year-old sister, Anastasia, also went along for theadventure.One side of Duck Island had a lovely beach. It was a good place to gathershells and wade in the water. However, Mary Ellen was not interested in thisarea. She wanted to explore the other side of the island, the side that facedthe ocean. She made her way out to a rock and dangled one foot over theedge. She splashed it around on the waves, but lost her balance and fell in.Her mother heard her cry and ran to pull her out. In her panic, she reachedtoward her drowning daughter, but she also fell in.Anastasia and Leonard saw what was happening and screamed for help. Twoyoung men in a fishing stage on Etheridge's Point heard them and hurried totheir row punt. They rowed as fast as they could, but soon realized they couldnot rescue the two women. They returned to the harbour and got more help.Soon motorboats and crews were on their way to the site. The first man toreach the scene said, "This young woman, Mary Ellen, was face up in thewater and her mother was lying close beside her."The women were plucked from the bottom and rushed to the nearest house.There, a veteran and two midwives tried their best to revive them. Sadly,nothing more could be done. Mary Ellen and her mother were dead. Theirlifeless bodies were taken home and prepared for burial.Several men went by boat to bring the dreadful news to Mary Ellen's father,Michael Penton. He and his two older sons, Steven and Allan, were outfishing. They were shocked and horrified by the news. When they arrived attheir home, the men fell to their knees and wept. Michael was overcome with