Description To 1916 Ledger

Through some now forgotten source there came into my possession a hand written journal of the war year of 1916. The journal was Written in a ledger, giving each day’s date through the year, and someone,- whose name is not recorded in the journal , filled in each day, beginning with Saturday , January 1^st 1916 , and recording faithfully every day to suddenly stop at the last entry on Tuesday November 7^th, 1916.

 The Last entry in the book, written in red ink, noted, “Marine Agency re-opened.” An earlier entry in the journal, on September 30^th, that, year, records, also in red ink, “marine Agency ceased.” One wonders if those two entries were significant in the life of the journal writer. All other entries in the journal are in blue ink. Only the Marine Agency items are in red ink.

One surmises that the writer has something to do with the Marine Agency, its closing and re-opening in less than a month, and the ending of items in the journal. It is certain, from reading the journal items that the writer was closely associated with shipping, and was concerned with the weather, for through the months the weather was faithfully recorded, along with the comings and goings of many vessels.

Occasionally there is a reference to the death of someone; a captain, or prominent name in the community. At various times there are references to other events in the town, sandwiched between shipping items.

While Space does not allow for many interesting items in the journal, a few were outstanding, such as: “March 27, both boats (Stanley and Prince Edward Island) in ice between cape Bear and East End of Pictou Island.” The boats were still in the ice on the 28^th, 29^th and 30^th, with a report on the 31^st as follows: “Splendid weather, but no change in east wind. No Change in position of boats in ice. Wild geese and robins arrive.”

The Ships must have freed themselves from the ice, for on April 1^st, the report was “Stanley arrived 7 a.m., Prince Edward Island came in at 11:30 a.m. “The ice must still have been serious in the strait for the report on April 9^th was: “Stanley arrived 2 p.m., with rudder head twisted.”  It apparently was repaired as the Stanley was reported to be moving in and out various days.

But on April 20^th, the report was: “Unsettled all day. Stanley stuck in ice between east end of Pictou Island and Carriboo channel. She has a full cargo. 20 passengers, 9 horses.”  The Ship must have got clear of the ice for the report later that day was , Stanley came in , docked 2p.m. Ice was still around , for a report on April 27 noted, “Harbour full of gulf ice.” Another report on the Stanley, which was one of two daily mail and passenger vessels between Pictou and Charlottetown was this:” Ice forming around Pictou Island. Harbour dotted with ice. Stanley came in towing wrecked schooner which went ashore on the New Brunswick coast last fall and has been drifting in the gulf all winter. Schooner loaded with lathes.”

The Journal noted as being significant these: “June 5^th no fire needed in office”  “June 7^th, fire needed in office again.” “June 30^th rain and cold. Had stove fire in office.”

July was reported to be very hot, beginning with July 12, the report noted “85 degrees in shade”, and that 85 degree temperature was recorded for several days in succession.

On April 12, the journal noted, “Ferry Hiawathia commenced running “. And on May 20^th, “steamer Brant from Charlottetown placing buoys in harbour.”

As 1916 was the second year of the First World War, the journal writer noted: “August 4^th, 1916, Anniversary 2nd year ^of war. The ceremonies were at Mayor’s Square, with various speakers. School children sang.” (I wonder where “Mayors Square” was? Possibly Market Square).

“On June 20^th, the local Council of Women gave soldiers a farewell dinner in Kirk basement at 6:30p.m. And at 9p.m. young ladies soldiers a candy-shower and dance at the Recreation rooms.” (I wonder what a Candy-shower was, and where were the Recreation rooms in 1916 in Pictou?).

On May 9^th, 106 company left for Trenton, Ontario, by special train at 11 o’clock. Rev. Clarence MacKinnon lectured in Prince Street Church on , “ The angel of Mons”. ( The Angel of Mons was a report by soldiers of the First world war fighting in Mons , that an angel with a flaming sword appeared in the sky, signifying victory for the allies.)

 June 13 , the Journal records” 105 battn. 1286 strong arrived from Charlottetown at 7:30 and went out on two special of 26 cars .” June 12 ,” Royal Belgium Singers at Fairyland Hall.” (Apparently the band  stayed behind when the 106 company left for Trenton on May 9^th).

August 21^st , “ 102 Battn., had a field day at LaCrosse and Exhibition grounds. September 8^th, “ 2^nd company , 193 Battn. Gave an entertainment in Fairyland Hall. Crowded House.” ( Where was the Fairyland Hall or Theatre?)

Sept 13, “ 150 of the 102 construction corps left for Truro by Train at 2 p.m. ( where did they come from ? were they stationed in Pictou ? )

Space does not permit of more interesting items, such as the centenary of Pictou Academy , the thunder and lightning storms hit the Academy and the Marconi tower. These and other interesting items from the 1916 journal of an unknown Pictou Writer will be continued soon.

 By Roland H Sherwood, ( D.LITT.)

Historical Writer