The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1912-04-27

of Gloucester's herring fleet by
ice in the Bay Of Islands and
Bonnie Bay, Newfoundland. the
quick dash of the revenue cut
tiers Gresham and AndroscogSin to AID
in their rescue, and the subsequent
release of the vessels, has called at
tention to a region little known to the
general public. but Of great importance
to the fishermen CT Gloucester.
Bay of Islands and Bonnie Bay. not
quite half way up the west coast OF
Newfoundland, are two Of the smallest
inlets of the island, yet for well over
half century the herring industry
has been centered there.
The uncertainties attending naviga-
ton in this part of the ocean are en-
| phasized when dispatches announced
the release Of the imprisoned vessels
when an easterly wind forced the ice
| off shore before the two revenue cut
tiers got there, thus enabling the ves-
sells to escape into clear water, al
though they were still in peril from
the ice. which might easily have come
back again.
| The per;ls OF a trip TO Newfound-
land TO purchase a load of herring
from tho natives are known to every
| Gloucester fisherman. and for fishing
vessels to be caught In either Of the
| two bays and forced to spend the
| winter there while their cargoes spoil
| Is no new occurrence. 1t is unusual.
however. for SO large a fleet to be
shut In by the huge cakes OF what
Sailors call "slOb ice" Seventeen OF
the schooners were penned IL at Bay
o. Islands. seven we're frozen in at
Tonne Bay. and one vessel. the Will
liam Mor-!ssey. was wrecked of Ia
BILE Point. in endeavoring to escape.
Scenery Picturesque.
Bay of Islands Is picturesque
place, attractive In the summer, even
though winters stay there would
grove monotonous. AS its name i'm
plies. It is studded with Islands. some
Of whica rise TO lofty height At its
entrance the bay is Is miles wide, and
II is there that most Of the islands
are situated. Easily accessible. it Is
. spacious inlet. being Is miles in
depth. with fine anchorage on the
southern side.
From the eastern eide OF the bay
| several arms make out. known as
North. South and Humber Arms. or
to fishermen. as Big. Little anc Middle
| ha {p,p 80
arms Is that called Humber sound,
which extends from the Southeastern
part OF the bay for about % miles
easterly into the country. The river
Humber is at its mouth, and Is the
second largest stream OF the island.
To the south OF the sound rises a
range OF hills called Blo.m-d don. or
Blow.me-down Hills. varying in height
from 500 to 1000 feet. As they near
the river tho hills level gradually un-
t.. at the rivers edge their height is
- in excess Of 800 feet. Except in
winter they present a rich coloring OF
varied foliage which extends to the
river banks.
The settlement or village OF Bay OF
Islands contains less than 1000 peo-
pie. and Is we'll up the Humber Arm.
Nesting at the foot Of the hills and
sheltered BY their peaks. the village
with it, tiny white houses Is typical
Of the smaller settlements Of the is
land. Its Inhabitants are mainly fish-
erman. engaged for a good part Of
he year in catching the herring which
are sold to the Gloucester men.
Smaller than Bay Of Islands and to
The north Of that inlet 10 Bonnie Bay.
IT. fishing interests are smaller than
those Of it, neighbor. and comprise
salmon and cod In addition to herring.
Soil in that vicinity 10 very fertile
and vel adapted to grazing purposes.
The fact that herring swarm IN
countless millions along the gulf coast
OF Newfoundland. and particularly II
Bay Of Islands and Bonnie bay. and
that the island II comparatively 20
near the United States, yet under the