(Clipping from The Advocate 1878, see original Diary.)

January 1^st.  Wednesday.

High wind and drift until 11:00 A. M., evening fine.  Finished Stations of Tors Cove &c, 350 Confessions.

January 2^nd.  Thursday.

Very fine.  Good sleighing.  Fr. Roche on Stations at B. Bulls.

January 3^rd.  Friday.

Warm and fine.  Pat Fortune Sr. home.  Had a call at 3:00 A. M. at W. Bay.

January 4^th.  Saturday.

Very mild.  Outwind with rain during part of the morning, evening fine; wind W.  Dr. Thomas Howley here on sick call.  John Furlong at Mobile.  The scarcity of grouse and rabbits is remarkable.

January 5^th.  Sunday.

Fine.  80 Confessions at Mobile.

January 6^th.  Monday.

Epiphany.  Went to St. John’s.

January 7^th.  Tuesday.

Very fine.  A report of the Dean being dead; over St. John’s flags half mast.

January 8^th.  Wednesday.

January 9^th.  Thursday.

Fine.  Came from St. John’s; very good sleighing.

January 10^th.  Friday.

Outwind and snow.

January 11^th.  Saturday.

Drifting, wind N. W., very cold.

January 12^th.  Sunday.

Coldest day to date.  Nine men each day during the past week working at the Chapel of Tors Cove.  Gave orders to the people of Mobile to commence cutting frame of their new Chapel.

January 13^th.  Monday.

Very cold morning.  Good work doing about Tors Cove Chapel.

January 14^th.  Tuesday.

Had a fine haul of wood, slide loads.  Evening stormy.  First sticks brought by Daniel FitzGerald and Sons for Mobile Chapel.  On Monday, night school was opened in Mobile, Tors Cove and Caplin Cove.  I visited schools  of Mobile and T. Cove today, and found them well attended; 40 pupils at Mobile, 45 at Tors Cove.  Mobile school in now conducted by Mr. Thomas Cunningham who took charge on January 1.

January 15^th.  Wednesday.

Fine.  Evening very cold.

January 16^th.  Thursday.

Intense frost, heavy gale N. W., with drift.  A call to Burnt Cove, attended by Fr. Roche.

January 17^th.  Friday.

Still cold.  Another call to Burn Cove.  Thomas came from town.  Mrs. Joanna Burke of B. Cove died at 4 o’c P.M.

January 18^th.  Saturday.

Very fine, milder.

January 19^th.  Sunday.

Outwind and snow from 12:00 A. M.; at 8 ½ wind changed to N. W. blowing a gale with drift.  Read list of Dues &c at Mobile and Tors Cove.  Buried Mrs. Joanna Burke.  Ten men working at Pigeon House Quarry and four at Tors Cove Chapel during coming week.

January 20^th.  Monday.

Outwind and snow until 4:00 P.M. then some hail and rain, very mild.

January 21^st.  Tuesday.

On last night at 11 o’c, a gale commenced to blow from the S. W. increasing to a hurricane at 1 o’c and at that hour the new Chapel of Tors Cove was blown down.  It was probably lifted from the sills by a body of wind that entered the building from beneath.  “ Aneroid at 27 ½.

January 22 nd.  Wednesday.

Very fine.  Clearing away the wreck of the Chapel.

January 23^rd.  Thursday.

Still fine.  A gang from W. Bay and Mobile assisting at Tors Cove Chapel.  Finished clearing away the stuff.  John Hearne of T. Cove died suddenly this morning.

January 24^th.  Friday.

Snowing; wind heavy and variable.

January 25^th.  Saturday.

Fine.

January 26^th.  Sunday.

Raining.  Heavy travelling.

January 27^th.  Monday.

Very fine.  The Dean very well, he was in Mobile today.

January 28^th.  Tuesday.

Still fine.  Visited nightschools of Mobile and Tors Cove; found them working well but badly attended.

January 29^th.  Wednesday.

Mild.

January 30^th.  Thursday.

Soft and foggy.

January 31^st.  Friday.

Snowing all day, some rain.

There were a great many heavy gales during this month, a great quantity of snow fell.  Sleighing generally good, but the woods almost impassable.  A number of wrecks on the English and Irish Coasts.  Heavy snow fell in Great Britain; in Ireland, the heaviest for half a century.  A few cases of Diptheria, Scarlatina and Typhoid fever in our parish.  Not much cry of poverty here yet.  A good deal work given to the people by the Dean at fencing materials, also by Pat Driscoll at “ Room stuff”.

February 1^st.  Saturday.

Fine and mild.  Had 75 Confessions at Tors Cove.  Making arrangements for commencing Chapel again, on an altered plan.  Killed a cow 255 lbs, cost 110.

February 2^nd.  Sunday

Fine.  Addressed congregation of T. Cove about Chapel, and called on them to provide sticks for frame.  All appear most anxious for the work.

February 3^rd.  Monday.

Showry.  First sticks brought for re-creation of Tors Cove Chapel.  Two calls at T. Cove.

February 4^th.  Tuesday.

Fine, not very cold.  Acall to T. Cove.  Pat went to town with 5 horses for provisions.  John Blackler of T. Cove died, aged 80 years.

February 5^th.  Wednesday.

Very fine, another call to Tors Cove.  A great quantity of sticks out.  The people working well.

February 6^th.  Thursday.

Mild.  House of Assembly opened.

February 7^th.  Friday.

Fine.  John Blackler’s funeral.

February 8^th.  Saturday.

Harry White in Mobile.

February 9^th.  Sunday.

N. W. wind and drift, very cold.  Over 200 large sticks brought out for T. Cove Chapel during the week.  Fr. Clancy here going to town.

February 10^th.  Monday.

Morning fine, a heavy snow storm commenced at 12 o’c; blowing a gale all night.

February 11^th.  Tuesday.

Drifting; immense Bankss of snow.

February 12^th.  Wednesday.

Heavy rain last night.

February 13^th.  Thursday.

Fine.  Heavy wind N.W.

February 14^th.  Friday.

Mild.  Heavy wind N. W.

February 15^th.  Saturday.

Cold.  Heavy wind M. W.

February 16^th.  Sunday.

Very cold.  Harry White went to town.

February 17^th.  Monday.

Cold.  A good many cases of want in Witless Bay and Tors Cove. Three deer killed at W. Bay.

February 18^th.  Tuesday.

Cold northeaster.  Hy. White and Annie came from town.

February 19^th.  Wednesday.

Snowing a little all day.

February 20^th.  Thursday.

Dull.  Prepared for death Mrs. Dillon who died 10 minutes afterwards.  Her’s is the fourth sudden death since Xmas in that portion of the parish.  Anniversary of election of Leo XIII.

February 21^st.  Friday.

Heavy breeze S. E. Rain from 1 to 8 P.M.

February 22^nd.  Saturday.

Mild.  A great number of people sick with a sort of slow fever, especially at Mobile.

February 23^rd.  Sunday.

Very fine.  Buried Mrs. Dillon.  Married Samuel Devine and Mary Joseph Howlett at Tors Cove.  Philip Power and Annie Reily at Mobile.  Fr. Roche married Gregory Molony and Mary Joseph Neil at Witless Bay.

February 24^th.  Monday.

Fine.  Thomas and William filling ice-house.

February 25^th.  Tuesday.

Still fine.

February 26^th.  Wednesday.

Dies cinerum.  Had Mass in Tors Cove.  People of W. Bay in great want.  Government refusing to relieve them.

February 27^th.  Thursday.

Fr. Walsh here on his way to town for relief.

February 28^th.  Friday.

Heavy rain, snow in the evening.

February 29^th.  Saturday. ?????

Very fine.

February 30^th.  Sunday.?????

Appointed 10 men per day to work at Tors Cove Chapel.

Remarks

Very heavy winds and some heavy snow falls during this month.  A great deal of sickness at Mobile and Tors Cove, principally a very bad description of cold or Influenza.

March 1^st.  Saturday.

Very fine.

March 2^nd.  Sunday.

Appointed 10 men per day to chop sticks for Tors Cove Chapel.

March 3^rd.  Monday.

Soft day.

March 4^th.  Tuesday

Heavy wind N. W. with drifts.  Went to Tors Cove.  People working well at new Chapel.  Thirty two uprights chopped yesterday.

March 5^th.  Wednesday.

Raining.  Called to Tors Cove at 6:00 P. M.  Peter Cashin here.

March 6^th.  Thursday.

Called to T. Cove again this morning at 1 o’c.  Heavy wind and drift.  Fr. Walsh here; he got £20 relief for his poor.

March 7^th.  Friday.

Very cold morning.  Thomas and Aidan went to Renewse to arrange business matters with Edward Leary.  A great many going to the Ice from this place, Mobile and Tors Cove.

March 8^th.  Saturday.

Outwind with drift.  The worst day for three years.  A vessel fish-laden in great danger at Bay Bulls.  A horse smothered in the snow on the St. John’s road.

March 9^th.  Sunday.

Heavy wind and rain.  I got as far as Mobile, never saw such Bankss of snow.

March 10^th.  Monday.

Still soft.  A heavy gale N.E.

March 11^th.  Tuesday.

Finer.  Called to T. Cove to Patrick Power who died same day.

March 12^th.  Wednesday.

Very fine.  Thawing.

March 13^th.  Thursday.

Soft.  Funeral of P. Power.

March 14^th.  Friday.

Fine.  Thomas and Aidan came from Renewse; Mr. White from St. John’s.

March 15^th.  Saturday.

Raining.  Called to T. Cove.  Heard 70 Confessions there.  Dunphy of Poor Office came investigating cases of destitution.  New Road Boards appointed lately viz. James Shannahan, Thomas Cary, Gregory Norris and Dennis Tobin Sr. for Witless Bay; Thomas Driscoll, Daniel FitzGerald, and Francis Dillon, Mobile; Cornelius Driscoll, Michael Power and Michael Colbert, T. Cove and James Murphy was appointed on the Witless Bay Board, but resigned.

March 16^th.  Sunday.

Very fine.

March 17^th.  Monday.

St. Patrick’s Day; a glorious day.  A call to T. Cove at 5 ½ A. M.

March 18^th.  Tuesday.

Raining.  A call to Mobile.  No ice on coast to date.  Telegram from Tilt Cove report ice at Cape John, the Horse and Grois Islands.  No seals taken in White Bay to 13^th.

March 19^th.  Wednesday.

Dull and cold. Silver-thaw.

March 20^th.  Thursday.

Dull and cold, freezing.

March 21^st.  Friday.

Very fine.  Drove to Caplin Cove.  Had 4 calls; Scarlatina and Slow Fever.

March 22^nd.  Saturday.

A heavy gale with snow from the East last night.  In the morning chopped off S. W. with rain, evening fine.

March 23^rd.  Sunday.

Fine.  Bessie and sons, Annie and Aiden came from Ferryland.  A vessel laden with provisions lost at “ Mistaken Point”.

March 24^th.  Monday.

Dull.

March 25^th.  Tuesday.

Chilly.  Eight Burn Cove men got relief from Government to amount of $200 each. Feel unwell this evening.

March 26^th.  Wednesday.

Dull, some snow.  I am laid up with a heavy cold.

March 27^th.  Thursday.

A delightful day.  Still sick.

March 28^th.  Friday.

Very fine.  The first sealer arrived, the “Proteus” to J. and W. Stewart, Capt. Pike, with 11,000 Hoods.  Poor reports of the fleet.

March 29^th.  Saturday.

Still fine.  A number of Tors Cove men in town for relief; got £15—James Shannahan on same errand, and unsuccessful.

March 30^th.  Sunday.

Very wet.  I was unable to have mass today.

March 31^st.  Monday.

Fine, thawing.  Dr. Howley M. D. here.

Remarks

Very heavy gales during this month.  No ice on coast.  Notwithstanding the great cry of poverty, our people have got on without any government relief to this date i.e. at Witless Bay.  Sealing Steamers bringing in good trips, but the crews making no bills on account of the low price of fat.

April 1^st.  Tuesday.

Heavy rain.  A gang employed to shovel snow to Mobile to open a track for the Dean’s carriage.

April 2^nd.  Wednesday.

Raining.  Dean went to Mobile in a carriage – “Lion” S. S. in; full, good reports.

April 3^rd.  Thursday.

Fine.  Still unwell.  A letter received from “ Col. Icey”. impowering Road Board to expend $100 on Public Wharf to relieve the poor.

April 4^th.  Friday.

Dull day, some snow.  My eyes sore.  Four men went from Witless Bay to assist at Tors Cove Chapel.

April 5^th.  Saturday.

Fine.  Fr. Roche went to Tors Cove to inspect chapel work.  Steamers arriving, all well fished.

April 6^th.  Sunday.

Palm Sunday.  Very fine.  Unable to celebrate mass today.

April 7^th.  Monday.

Fine.  Fr. Roche went to Tors Cove to have evening prayers and read list of men to work at the Chapel.  Six men from Witless Bay working at T. Cove Chapel today.

April 8^th.  Tuesday.

Snowing.  Sent a punt with board and longers to Toad’s Cove.

April 9^th.  Wednesday.

Spy Wednesday.  Slight snow showers.

April 10^th.  Thursday.

Warm day Thursday.  Morning cold with heavy W. wind and some snow.  Evening fine.  Mass in Witless Bay only.

April 11^th.  Good Friday.

Very fine morning, evening wet.  Two wakes in Witless Bay.

April 12^th.  Easter Saturday.

Dull.  I went to Mobile first time since March 25^th.  First corpse interred in the addition to the graveyard of W. Bay.  This piece of ground was given for the purpose by the late Thomas Avery, twenty two years ago.

April 13^th.  Easter Sunday.

Had Mass in Mobile.  Announced Jubiless.  Very wet.  The Dean had Mass this morning in the parlor,  the fiftieth anniversary of his ordination.  The Dean is the first priest who spent fifty years on the Mission of this Country.  Others died here who had been priests for fifty years, having spent some years of their Ministry elsewhere.

April 14^th.  Monday.

Very fine.  Fr. Roche went to St. John’s.  I was in Tors Cove; found the Chapel work advancing rapidly and well.  There are to work this week 6 men from W. Bay; 4 from Mobile and 10 from Tors Cove.  Uncle Harry in Mobile.

April 15^th.  Tuesday.

Fine but cold.  A great many cases of Scarlatina in Tors Cove.

April 16^th.  Wednesday.

Very fine.  Spent day at new Chapel.  Twenty five brls. flour landed for poor, W. Bay.

April 17^th.  Thursday.

Fine.  Annointed five persons today from Bay Bulls to Mobile.

April 18^th.  Friday.

Very fine.  Dr. Power accompanied by Fr. Roche arrived at 4 ¼ P. M.  Grand pyrotechnic display in honour of Dean’s Jubilee at 9:00 P.M.

April 19^th.  Saturday.

Dr. Power left for St. John’s at 9 ½ A. M.  Some snow.

April 20^th.  Sunday.

N.E. wind, and sleet.

April 21^st.  Monday.

Fine.  “ Brothers” launched.

April 22^nd.  Tuesday.

Fine.  Stations at Mobile.

April 23^rd.  Wednesday.

Fine.  Stations at Mobile.  Fireworks at Mobile.

April 24^th.  Thursday.

Fine.  Finished Mobile Stations.  “Brothers” sailed for St. John’s

April 25^th.  Friday.

N.E. wind and rain.  Stations at Toad’s Cove.  One hundred and forty Confessions.  Herring plentiful.

April 26^th.  Saturday.

Heavy rain, N. E.  Herring plentiful.  One hundred ninety Confessions.

April 27^th.  Sunday.

Wet.

April 28^th.  Monday.

Fine.  Confessions at T. Cove.  Illuminations and fireworks at T. Cove for Dean’s Jubilee.

April 29^th.  Tuesday.

Very warm.  Good work being done at the new Chapel.

April 30^th.  Wednesday.

Stations at Caplin Cove.

Remarks

The weather during April was for the most part pretty fine.  The frame of Toad’s Cove Chapel was put up and secured; a great deal of assistance was rendered by the people of W. Bay and Mobile.  The Dean’s Golden Jubilee was the great event of this month, its celebration was however rendered impossible by the state of his health.

May 1^st.  Thursday.

Fine.  Finished Easter and Jubilee Stations from Mobile to LaManche.  “Brothers started for St. John’s.  Nuns have all their potatoes set.  Herring very plentiful.

May 2^nd.  Friday.

Dull.

May 3^rd.  Saturday.

Wet.  First fish caught at T. Cove.

May 4^th.  Sunday.

Wet and calm.

May 5^th.  Monday.

Fine.  William Fortune’s boat went to the Westward with iced herring.  Fr. Walsh here going to St. John’s.  Last gang for season at T. Cove Chapel.

May 6^th.  Tuesday.

Fine.

“Brothers” came from St. John’s.  To this date there has been six men from Witless Bay and four from Mobile at T. Cove Chapel.  Finished potatoes.  Will Ronayne opens school at Mobile.

May 7^th.  Wednesday.

Dull and foggy.  Very calm during the past six days.  Eighty Confessions at T. Cove.  Good reports from the Bankss.  Sealing steamers doing well on second trip.

May 8^th.  Thursday.

Raining.  Evening fine.

May 9^th.  Friday.

Fine.  Fr. Walsh here returning to Renewse.  Aidan and Ed Leary started business at Renewse.

May 10^th.  Saturday.

Very fine.  Good reports from the Bankss.  Aidan went to Renewse.

May 11^th.  Sunday.

Fine.  Johnny White came down.

May 12^th.  Monday.

Fine.  Stowed away sticks for Mobile Chapel.  No sign of fish.

May 13^th.  Tuesday.

Very fine.  Stowed away sticks etc. of Tors Cove Chapel.

May 14^th.  Wednesday.

Fine.  Erecting a Belfry at Witless Bay.  No Salmon yet.  A A Bankser( Hafy) at Renewse- 250 qtls. = 120 dry.

May 15^th.  Thursday.

Foggy morning.  Evening very fine.  Some fish caught at Tors Cove.

May 16^th.  Friday.

Fine.  Fr. Roche came from town.

May 17^th.  Saturday.

Some rain.

May 18^th.  Sunday.

Very fine.  Messrs. Conroy, Berney, Wl. Tobin and James Phelin here.  A Bankser at Renewse( Walter Grieves) with 500 qtls. Dry.  Good reports from Bankss.  Married Pat Maher.

May 19^th.  Monday.

FINe.  Fr. Forristal here en route to Renewse to receive Miss Manwarren.  Salmon caught at Tors Cove.  No fish, or rather no one looking for it.

May 20^th.  Tuesday.

Fine.  Fr. Roche went to Cape Broyle with Fr. Forristal.  Hannah came.

May 21^st.  Wednesday.

Foggy.  Remove Chapel( W. B. ) bell to new belfry.

May 22^nd.  Ascension Thursday.

Very fine.  William sailed for Trepassey.

May 23^rd.  Friday.

Foggy and wet.  Some salmon.  On yesterday Miss Manwarren was received in the Convent of Renewse.

May 24^th.  Saturday.

Foggy.  Fr. Forristal here and went to St. John’s.  Some fish caught at Tors Cove.

May 25^th.  Sunday.

Wet and foggy.  Fr. Clancy here.

May 26^th.  Monday.

Wet and foggy. Sixty Confessions at T. Cove.

May 27^th.  Tuesday.

Very wet morning.

May 28^th.  Wednesday.

Fine.  Fr. Roche and Thomas went to town.  Thomas and Thomas Greene arrived here at 8 o’c P.M. to take Annie to St. John’s, a good opportunity having offered for sending her to Ireland.

May 29^th.  Thursday.

Cloudy and some showers.  Some boats at Witless Bay had 2 cwt. Fish.  Fish caught all alongshore.

May 30^th.  Friday.

Fine.  Annie sailed for Ireland yesterday per Austrian.

May 31^st.  Saturday.

Very fine.  Heavy gale of West wind.  Dr. Power went west per Curlew.  Very sultry night; thunder and heavy lightning.  Corpse of Mary McGrath brought from St. John’s to be interred at Toad’s Cove.

Remarks

The weather during May was remarkably chilly and disagreeable.  A great deal potatoes sown at Witless Bay, more than for the past 20 years.  Crops in general promising well.  No Icebergs on coast.  Herring very numerous.  Salmon scare.  Very little codfish caught.

June 1^st.  Sunday.

Fine and very warm.  Mr. Fenelon, new School Inspector, arrived.

June 2^nd.  Monday.

Fine.  Inspector visits schools at W. Bay and B. Bulls.  No fish.  Poor reports from westward.  Potatoes over ground.

June 3^rd.  Tuesday.

Called to Caplin Cove 3 ½ A. M.  Inspector visits schools at Mobile, T. Cove and Caplin Cove.

June 4^th.  Wednesday.

Chilly.  Fr. Roche and I hearing Confessions at Bay Bulls.

June 5^th.  Thursday.

Still chilly.  Heavy rain evening, and thunder.  A Bankser at Bay Bulls, Thomas Williams, 200 qtls.  No fish alongshore.  Good reports from Cape St. Mary’s.

June 6^th.  Friday.

Very fine.

June 7^th.  Saturday.

Heavy rain.  Caplin hauled at Caplin Cove.  No fish on them.

June 8^th.  Sunday.

Raining heavily all day and last night.  The Dean very unwell for awhile.

June 9^th.  Monday.

Fine.  I went to St. John’s.

June 10^th.  Tuesday.

Fine.  I returned to Witless Bay.  Some fish hauled at Tors Cove.

June 11^th.  Wednesday.

A heavy gale of N. wind.   Agreat deal fish seen; not much hauled or caught.  John Furlong brought out my gig.

June 12^th.  Thursday.

Corpus Christi.  Fine.  A grand procession at Witless Bay.

June 13^th.  Friday.

Fine.  Caplin abundant.  Very little fish.  Pat’s seine had 5qtls.

June 14^th.  Saturday.

Heavy gale E, morning; ditto W, evening.  Some fish in traps.

June 15^th.  Sunday.

Fine.  Heavy gale W.  Banksers coming in, all well fished.

June 16^th.  Monday.

Fine.  Wind N.  Load seal fish in traps.  Pat’s seine hauled 30 qtls;  William from Trepassey, 26 qtls.  Good reports from Westward.  Caplin most numerous, not so much so for years.  William reports having hauled caplin June 3^rd.

June 17^th.  Tuesday.

Wind NE.  No fish at W. Bay, Mobile or Tors Cove.  Thomas Handrican, Baleine, hauled 40 qtls. At Great Island.  No fish at Bay Bulls to this date.  Mogue Neil sent by government de proprus quae Moritus.

June 18^th.  Wednesday.

Chilly, wind NE.  No fish.

June 19^th.  Thursday.

Chilly, wind NE.  No fish.  Two western boats home to Mobile with poor trips.  Fr. Pat O’ Donnell here.  Received letters from Annie.

June 20^th.  Friday.

Fine.  Heavy breeze W.  Western boats home to Bay Bulls well fished-60 to 100 qtls.  Michael Mulcahy of B. Bulls went fishing in the “ Gulf” this spring and caught there 60 qtls., 80 qtls at the Main Keyes; in all 140 qtls.  “Brothers” home, 70 qtls.

June 21^st.  Saturday.

Fine.  Still blowing from the N.  A good deal fish in traps at W. Bay and B. Bulls; none caught or hauled.  Ambrose Ronayne from Trepassey-40 qtls.

June 22^nd.  Sunday.

Very fine.  Heavy W. wind.  Water clear and cold.  Caplin abundant.

June 23^rd.  Monday.

Heavy rain.  Daniel FitzGerald hauled 40 qtls. Fish.

June 24^th.  Tuesday.

Fine.  No fish.  Fr. Clancy here.  A good deal fish catching about Renewse and hauling at Ferryland.

June 25^th.  Wednesday.

Very fine.  Some fish hauling.

June 26^th.  Thursday.

Dull and chilly.

June 27^th.  Friday.

Dull and chilly.  No fish.

June 28^th.  Saturday.

Some fish hauling; also in nets.  People becoming very despondent.

June 29^th.  Sunday.

Very fine.

June 30^th.  Monday.

Fine.  Some fish hauled in Mobile.

Remarks

The signs of fish during this month are not considered good.  The crops advancing

slowly.

July 1^st.  Tuesday.

Wet.  Wind NE. No fish.

July 2^nd.  Wednesday.

Foggy.  Wind NE.  No fish.

July 3^rd.  Thursday.

Foggy. Wind NE.  No fish.

July 4^th.  Friday.

Fine.  Wind E.  Some fish hauling and in nets.

July 5^th.  Saturday.

Wind NE.  No fish.

Frs.  Jeremiah and Richard O’ Donnell sailed per Caspian…….to Witless Bay.

July 11^th.  Friday.

Very fine.

July 12^th.  Saturday.

Very fine.  A heavy sea.  Poor accounts from the West.

July 13^th.  Sunday.

Fine, but foggy.

July 14^th.  Monday.

Fine.  Some fish in traps and hauling.  Thomas had 25 qtls. In trap.

July 15^th.  Tuesday.

Fine.  Some fish hauling.

July 16^th.  Wednesday.

Fine.

July 17^th.  Thursday.

Morning fine;  evening heavy rain.  A great deal fish seen.  Thomas’ trap was full but broke while being overhauled.

July 18^th  Friday.

Outwind and fog.  First squids caught at Witless Bay, not much fish on them.

BREAK IN DIARY>

Heavy E. wind last night and this morning, with rain.  Evening wind ENE.  Some fish in traps.  Fish plenty at Point and Shingle Head.  Food accounts from Aidan.

July 29^th.  Tuesday.

Fine.  Strong breeze W.  William sailed for the westward.  Fr. Walsh here going to town.

July 30^th.  Wednesday.

Fine.  Good sign of fish on squids.

July 31^st.  Thursday.

Very fine.  Reid brought up our coal and lumber.

Remarks

There was perhaps never in the history of the Southern Shore such a bad fishery as the present to this date, almost without an exception.  The crops are promising well, both hay and potatoes.  Turnips and cabbage are backward.  The Labrador fishery is the best (is said) for forty years.  The price of fish is much lower than last year, while provisions are a great deal in advance.

August 1^st.  Friday.

Very fine.  John Dywer commenced work at Witless Bay Chapel.

August 2^nd.  Saturday.

Fine.  Good deal fish catching.  Good accounts from the westward.

August 3^rd.  Sunday.

Very warm.

August 4^th.  Monday.

Fine.  Went to Killis Cove to see a strange fish captured in a trap.

August 5^th.  Tuesday.

Fine.  Caplin still for hauling.  Some fish, herring plentiful, squids scarce.

August 6^th.  Wednesday.

Very warm.  Commenced mowing.  Had new potatoes (scothch apples).

August 7^th.  Thursday.

Heavy rain, with thunder.

August 8^th.  Friday.

James Shannahan, Pat O’ Brien, Stephen and self spent the day trouting in “Gull Pond” &c.,  arriving home at 9 1/2P.M.

August 9^th.  Saturday.

Fine.  No bait or fish.

August 10^th.  Sunday.

Dean not well.

August 11^th.  Monday.

Very warm.  F. Clancy went to town.

August 12^th.  Tuesday.

Very warm.  Dean quite well again.

August 13^th.  Wednesday.

Fine.  Squids and herring, not much fish.  Fr. Clancy and Dr. M. Howley here enroute to Renewse.

August 14^th.  Thursday.

Very fine.

August 15^th.  Friday.

Lady Day.  Fishing for church but no fish.  Races etc. at Renewse.

August 16^th.  Saturday.

Fine.  William landed 4o qtls. Fish.

August 17^th.  Sunday.

Very fine.  Mother and Pat went to Ferryland.

August 18^th. Monday.

Very fine.  Fr. Clancy here , to town.

August 19^th.  Tuesday.

Very fine.  Good deal fish today.

August 20^th.  Wednesday.

Outwind and rain.

August 21^st.  Thursday.

Dull.  Squids, herring and some fish.

August 22^nd.  Friday.

Fine.  Visited schools of Mobile, Tors Cove and Caplin Cove; attendance good.  Mother, Aidan and Stephen came from Ferryland.

August 23^rd.  Saturday.

Dull and Showry.

August 24^th.  Sunday.

At 1:00 A. M. heavy rain with thunder and lightning commenced, continuing with few intervals during the day.

August 25^th.  Monday.

Dull.  Squids plentiful.  Some good catches made on Cape Bollard Banks last week.

BREAK IN DIARY

September 6^th.  Saturday.

Heavy rain.  Nothing done on fishing grounds this week owing to rough weather.

September 7^th.  Sunday.

Wet.  I was unwell today; had no Mass.

September 8^th.  Monday.

Foggy.  Fr. Walsh here.

September 9^th.  Tuesday.

First fine day for nearly three weeks.  Wind NE and weather dull all that time.  Evening wet.  Fr. Roche to town.

September 10^th.  Wednesday.

Wet.  Heavy sea.  Bait and fish scarce.

September 11^th.  Thursday.

Wet.  “Brothers” made 50 qtl. Catch.

September 12^th.  Friday.

Wet.  William home,  10 qtls.

September 13^th.  Saturday.

Wet.  Heard 50 Confessions, T. Cove.

September 14^th.  Sunday.

Fine.  Fr. Walshe left for Renewse.

September 15^th.  Monday.

Morning fine,  evening dull.

September 16^th.  Tuesday..

Fr. Roche went to town.

September 17^th.  Wednesday.

Dull.  Fr. O’Donnell arrived.

September 18^th.  Thursday.

Pretty fine.  Heavy west wind.

September 19^th.  Friday.

Very fine.

September 20^th.  Saturday.

???

September 21^st.  Sunday.

Very fine.  Frs. O’ Donnell and Roche, and James O’ Donnell went to town.  Mrs. Nowlan came.

September 22^nd.  Monday.

Fine.  Commenced painting Witless Bay Chapel.  Dean unwell.

September 23^rd.  Tuesday.

Very fine.  The Dean unwell.

September 24^th.  Wednesday.

Very fine.  The Dean unwell.  Dr. T. Howley “sent” for, arrived at 1 o’c P.M.  The Dean better at 10 P.M.

September 25^th.  Thursday.

Very fine.  Heavy gale SW.  The Dean quite well again.  Brothers home, 20 qtls.

September 26^th.  Friday.

Fine.  Flour gone 7/6 pr. brl.

September 27^th.  Saturday.

Fine.  Uncle Harry at Mobile.

September 28^th.  Sunday.

Very fine.  Announced Dues collection.  Hannah and children arrived.

September 29^th.  Monday.

Very fine.  Western boats all got herring at Tors Cove.  Some fish catching.

September 30^th.  Tuesday.

Fine.

October 1^st.  Wednesday.

Dull.  Some good catches fish made on Cape Bollard Banks.  A great deal squids caught at Mobile.

October 2^nd.  Thursday.

Fine.  Sister Agnes Hanrahan very unwell ( quo ad menteur).

October 3^rd.  Friday.

Dull.

October 4^th.  Saturday.

Very fine.  Dues coming in slowly.

October 5^th.  Sunday.

Very fine.

October 6^th.  Monday.

Very fine.  Digging potatoes.  Fr. Walsh here.

October 7^th.  Tuesday.

Fine.

October 8^th.  Wednesday.

Fine.  Heavy breeze NNE.

October 9^th.  Thursday.

Fine.  Heavy breeze NNE.  I remained up last night with Sister Agnes.

October 10^th.  Friday.

Fr. Clancy here.  Heavy wind NNE.

October 11^th.  Saturday.

Fr. Clancy here.  Heavy wind NNE.  Sister Agnes died this morning at 8 o’c; her reason returned two days before she died.

October 12^th.  Sunday.

Raining.  Heavy gale NNE still.  Kate Nowlan of Mobile died.

October 13^th.  Monday.

The gale, which has been blowing without interruption since Wednesday, ceased this morning.  Sister Agnes was buried after Office and High Mass.  Her name in the world was Joanna Hanrahan, a native of Clonmel, she was 47 years of age, 17 in religion.

October 14^th.  Tuesday.

Showry.  Boats all giving up the Western fishery.  A great many wrecks in last week’s gale.  A Bay Bulls boat lost at Trepassey.

October 15^th.  Wednesday.

Fine.  Fr. Walsh, Mother Joseph and Miss Woodford (Postulante) arrived.

October 16^th.  Thursday.

Cold and showry, wind N.

October 17^th.  Friday.

Cold and showry, wind N.  Fr. Clancy here.

October 18^th.  Saturday.

Fine.  Very little fish catching.  Erecting scaffolding to shingle W. Bay Chapel.

October 19^th.  Sunday.

Foggy.

October 20^th.  Monday.

Foggy.  Fr. Roche, Mother Joseph and Postulante (Miss Maria Woodford) left for Renewse.  Heavy rain at 12 P.M.  A breeze from W, evening.

October 21^st.  Tuesday.

Heavy breeze W this morning and last night.  Fr. Roche returned.  A vessel lost at Tors Cove, C. Broyle last night.

October 22^nd.  Wednesday.

Fine, soft day.  Some fish.

October 23^rd.  Thursday.

Fine.  Dr. Power and Fr. Scott arrived at 12 o’c., left again at 4 ½.

October 24^th.  Friday.

Dull.  A good deal fish caught yesterday, especially at LaManche.

October 25^th.  Saturday.

Heavy rain and outwind last night.  Fine today.  Finished shingling of Witless Bay Chapel and Vestry.  The whole work done in four days.

October 26^th.  Sunday.

Fine.

October 27^th.  Monday.

Fine.  William to St. John’s with fish.

October 28^th.  Tuesday.

Fine.  I went to town.

BREAK IN DIARY

October 31^st.  Friday.

Returned to Witless Bay.  Heavy breeze from WSW yesterday.  Thunder and lightning on Thursday night with heavy rain.  James M. Loughnan returned M. P. for St. John’s west.  A hot and close contest between him and Mr. P. D. White.

Remarks

The fishery now ending is the worst for years on this shore.  The heavy winds of October spoiled the fall western fishery.

November 1^st.  Saturday.

Very fine.

November 2^nd.  Sunday.

All Souls Day.

November 3^rd.  Monday.

Fine, chilly.  Some herring in nets.

November 4^th.  Tuesday.

Fine.  A gang working at Tors Cove graveyard.  William came home.

November 5^th.  Wednesday.

Cold.  No snow to date.

November 6^th.  Thursday.

Very fine.

November 7^th.  Friday.

Matw. Dillon and family left Mobile to live in St. John’s.

November 8^th.  Saturday.

Dull.  No bait or fish.

November 9^th.  Sunday.

Very fine.  Harry White at Mobile.

November 10^th.  Monday.

James Murphy and family left Mobile to live in St. John’s.

November 11^th.  Tuesday.

Fine.  Gang working at Tors Cove graveyard.  Grand Bazaar opened in the Star of the Sea Hall for St. Patrick’s Church, River Head.

November 12^th.  Wednesday.

Fine.  Finished ploughing.

November 13^th.  Thursday.

Fine.  Putting shores against Mobile Belfry.  The following men gave a day each at it:  Stephen Sweeny, William Driscoll, Pierce Kearny, Peter Quirk and Batw. Hartwell Jr.

November 14^th. Friday.

Very fine.  Pat Fortune went on last trip to St. John’s.  I was at Bay Bulls and Tors Cove.  A very large S. S. ship, the “ Arizona”, put into St. John’s, disabled by colliding with an iceberg on the Bankss 250 miles off.  The “Arizona” is said to be the third largest ship afloat.( NOTE Arizona was 5, 147 tons.  Hit iceberg on maiden on way from Cobh, Ireland to New York.)

November 15^th.  Saturday.

Wet.  Called to Martin Quirk.

November 16^th.  Sunday.

Dull.  Fr. R. O’ Donnell, James O’ Donnell, Thomas Walsh, Michael Tobin and ??? Elliot came to Witless Bay.  Married Phil Cary and Mary Maders in Mobile Chapel.  Read Dues’ list at Mobile.

November 17^th.  Monday.

Fine.  “Brothers” loaded last trip.  Fr. Roche went to town.  Little bait and fish.

November 18^th.  Tuesday.

Chilly.  Snow showers.  Baptized Annie Driscoll of Bessie. Resumed work of Tors Cove Chapel; a gang of six each day.

November 19^th.  Wednesday.

 Heavy wind and snow.  Went in a sleigh to Tors Cove.  Large Bankss of snow in some places.  Buried Martin Quirk.  Very high tide.

November 20^th.  Thursday.

Morning fine.  Thomas went to St. John’s on a sleigh.  A heavy gale from E blowing from 6 to 12 P.M.  The heaviest sea to date.  Snow all gone.

November 21^st.  Friday.

Heavy rain.  William came from St. John’s.  He reports St. Patrick’s Bazaar a wonderful success.

November 22^nd.  Saturday.

Fine.  Had Confessions at Tors Cove.  Fr. Roche returned from town,  carriaging again.

November 23^rd.  Sunday.

Very fine.  Aidan at Mobile.  Pat Fortune came from St. John’s with a new “ Jack”.

November 24^th.  Monday.

Outwind and heavy rain.  Fr. Clancy went to town.

November 25^th.  Tuesday.

Very fine.  Good work doing at Tors Cove Chapel; 6 men per day.  The Dean fell on the stairs disfiguring his nose and eye, but seriously injured, thank God.

November 26^th.  Wednesday.

Outwind and rain.  The painters finished work at W. Bay Chapel and Convent, having worked 9 weeks.  Preparing foundation for father’s cross. Note Witless Bay old graveyard.

November 27^th.  Thursday.

Very fine.  Boats at W. Bay and Tors Cove loaded on “ last trip”.  Good work doing at Tors Cove Chapel.  Killed a bullock, the hind-quarters of which weighed 150 lbs,. And the fore quarters 125 lbs. Each. It cost £6.10.0.

November 28^th.  Friday.

Dull.  Thomas came from St. John’s.  St. Patrick’s Bazaar realized £2,500 net profit.  Two Renewse men drowned at Betts Cove.

November 29^th.  Saturday.

Fine.  “Brothers” came from St. John’s.  Married Edward Ronayne and Alice Howlett of Tors Cove.

November 30^th.  Sunday.

Very mild.

December 1^st.  Monday.

Fine and mild.  “Christian Brothers” collection yesterday amounted to £354.

December 2^nd.  Tuesday.

Very fine.  Fr. Roche and Thomas went to Renewse.  Fr. Walsh arrived.

December 3^rd.  Wednesday.

Fine.  Fr. Roche returned.

December 4^th.  Thursday.

Building of a “Public Wharf” commenced at Mobile.  Evening wet.

December 5^th.  Friday.

Mild.  Fr. Walsh from St. John’s  Made arrangements about Dr. Cary.  Dr. Cary arrived from Halifax last week and settled down at Ferryland.

December 6^th.  Saturday.

Cold.  Boats all home from St. John’s.

December 7^th.  Sunday.

Very fine.  Gang stowing away lumber at Tors Cove.

December 8^th.  Monday.

Fine and mild.  Very heavy travelling.  Commenced shingling Tors Cove Chapel; 12 men.  Samuel Driscoll had 1 ½ brl. Herring in nets.

December 9^th.  Tuesday.

Cold.  Thomas and Aidan came from town.  William went with “ Brothers” to Cape Broyle.

December 10^th.  Wednesday.

Cold.  Commenced “ Stations” at Tors Cove &c.  Killed a cow, weighing-hind qrs., 145 lbs., cost ???, nuns took half; fore qrs., 90 lbs.

December 11^th.  Thursday.

Fine.  Confessions at Caplin Cove and Tors Cove-170.

December 12^th.  Friday.

Very mild.  Fifty men shingling Tors Cove Chapel.  Stations, 80 Confessions.

December 13^th.  Saturday.

Fine.  Sixty men shingling.  Eighty Confessions.

December 14^th.  Sunday.

Extreme cold.  Uncle Harry and John Furlong at Mobile.

December 15^th.  Monday.

Outwind, some snow, heavy sea.  A man named Con Glyn of Bay Bulls went astray while trouting.

December 16^th.  Tuesday.

Mild.  Con Glyn found.

December 17^th.  Wednesday.

Fine.  Heard 90 Confessions at Tors Cove.  Fr. Roche commenced Stations at Bay Bulls.  Killed a pig.

December 18^th.  Thursday.

Four inches snow fell last night; heavy NW wind and drift this morning.

December 19^th.  Friday.

Fine and cold.  Dean complaining of severe cough.  Sent for Dr. T. Howley.

December 20^th.  Saturday.

Intense frost.  Dean better.  Dr. H. did not come, but sent medicine.  Mr. White and Harry at Mobile.

December 21^st.  Sunday.

Some snow last night.  Drifting and cold today.

December 22^nd.  Monday.

Coldest night and morning ( ‘tis said) for years.  Therm. 4 below 0 in the shade at W. Bay.  Thomas Cary and Michael Kennedy went to St. John’s.  Benedict Molony and Bill Kelly called on us with a Petition signed by 70 men and boys to have James Shannahan removed from the school.  Envy the cause-“Kelly” and “Benedict” are ringleaders in every villainy.

December 23^rd.  Tuesday.

Morning, outwind and heavy drift; evening heavy rain; night fine and frosty.  Thomas Cary returned from town.  Mrtn. Cashin here.

December 24^th.  Wednesday.

Fine.  I was unwell, with a cold.  Fr. Roche went to Tors Cove to have Mass there tomorrow morning.

December 25^th.  Thursday.

Christmas morning.  Outwind and drift; turned into rain at 11 o’c; wind W and freezing at 12 o’c  Fr. Roche had two masses at Tors Cove, one at Mobile; I, two at W. Bay and one at Bay Bulls; also attended a “call” at Bread and Cheese.  A very large congregation at 2^nd Mass, W. Bay.

December 26^th.  Friday.

Fine.  “Mummers” out in Tors Cove according to ancient custom.

December 27^th.  Saturday.

Cold.  Dean quite strong again.

December 28^th.  Sunday.

Fine, good sleighing.  Received account of death of Randal Greene.  The stone-built church of St. Kyran’s destroyed by fire on Xmas eve.

December 29^th.  Monday.

Soft.  Rained at evening.  Thomas went to Randal Greene’s funeral.

December 30^th.  Tuesday.

Mild.  Dr. Cary arrived from Ferryland.  His scale of fees for this portion of the district as follows: Special call to Tors Cove=30.1.

Special call to Mobile=35.1.

Special call to W. Bay=40.1.

Special call to B. Bulls= 45.1.

To those supplying horse, to each locality 10/-off.  Booked patients 20/- pr An. I.e. for attendance while the Dr. is on periodical visitation.  Booked patients also to pay 10/- less for special calls; in all cases Medicine to be an extra.  The Dr. to visit W. Bay &c. fortnightly in Summer; every 3^rd week, Winter.  If called while on visitation, 5/-, called on 2/6.December 31^st.  Wednesday.

Very cold.  Thermom. At 0.  Thomas came from St. John’s.  Fr. Roche at B. Bulls Stations.