Lost to the Sea / Perdus en Mer
The year 1879 was a disastrous one for Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia, with no fewer than 31 vessels lost along with 106 persons. The ships lost were among the best of the Yarmouth fleet, some carrying valuable cargoes. The loss of life left 26 widows and 99 children to mourn husbands and fathers in Yarmouth County alone.
One instance was that of the schooner Boadicea, 79 tons; she sailed from Yarmouth for Martinique in 1879, with a general cargo, but was "not afterwards heard of." Her crew, consisting of six men, left five widows and sixteen fatherless children.
Both before and after 1879, numerous courageous Yarmouth County men and women have died at sea. The intention of the Lost to the Sea Memorial, located on Water Street, Yarmouth, is to commemorate these Yarmouthians.
Of particular importance in the names listed on the monument will be those citizens of Yarmouth County who have been lost at sea as a result of the fishing industry, Yarmouth's longest and continuing seafaring industry.
Two examples of losses in this sector are the tragic loss of six lives when the herring seiner Silver King was run down by the tugboat Ocean Rockwift in August 1967; and the loss of the lobster boat Miss Charity and her crew of three on Christmas Eve day, 1990.
Yarmouthians who gave their
this page online
The monument also serves as a memorial to those who lost their lives while serving aboard Yarmouth vessels, be they from elsewhere in Nova Scotia or elsewhere in the world.
To date there are over 2400 names on the monument. Space has been left to accommodate names which come to light and, sadly, for those who might, in the future, lose their lives to the sea.
Additional information on specific names can be found at http://losttothesea.com/.
[Photo captions read]
• The loss of the paddle-wheeler City of Monticello with many of her crew was one of the greatest tragedies to take place along our shoreline. On November 10th, 1900, while on passage from Saint John for Yarmouth, she capsized in a storm and was lost. Of the 32 crew and eight passengers aboard 36 were lost leaving 15 widows and 49 fatherless children. This painting, signed "John Davis 1981", is based on an early painting by J.E. Baker. From the collection of the Yarmouth County Museum.
• On Christmas Eve day 1990 the lobster boat Miss Charity put to sea to haul her traps. She and her crew of three were lost, possibly due to a rogue wave overturning the vessel.
[French]
L'an
Il y a, par exemple, la goélette Brodicea [sic - Boadicea], un navire de 79 tonnes. En 1879, le navire quitte Yarmouth à destination de la Martinique avec une cargaison générale et "on en perd la trace". Son équipage était composé de six hommes. La tragédie fait cinq veuves et seize enfants orphelins de père.
Avant et après 1879, de nombreux hommes et femmes courageux du comté de Yarmouth perdent la vie en mer. Le monument Perdus en mer situé sur la rue Water, à Yarmouth, commémore ces citoyens.
Il importe de noter les noms des résidants du comté de Yarmouth qui ont perdu la vie en faisant la pêche, la plus vieille industrie maritime de la région qui demeure toujours très présente de nos jours. Le naufrage du chalutier à hareng Silver King, renversé par le remorqueur Ocean Rockswift en août 1967, entraînant la mort de six personnes, et la perte du homardier Miss Charity, faisant trois morts la veille de Noël 1990, sont deux exemples de tragédies dans ce secteur.
En plus des membres d'équipages,
le mémorial comprend également les noms de résidants du comté de Yarmouth qui sont morts lors de naufrages de navires de passagers, tel le City of Monticello en novembre 1900.Nous commémorons également les citoyens de Yarmouth qui ont perdu leur vie durant les guerres en tant que membres des forces armées ou de la marine marchande. Une de ces personnes était l'aspirant de marine Malcolm Cann, un des premiers Canadiens à périr dans la Première Guerre mondiale.
Le monument commémore aussi ceux qui sont morts à bord des navires de Yarmouth, peu importe d'où ils venaient.
À ce jour, il y a plus de 2400 noms sur le monument. On a laissé de l'espace pour ajouter d'autres noms qui pourraient faire surface plus tard et malheureusement, les noms de ceux qui pourraient perdre leur vie en mer à l'avenir.
Pour plus de renseignements visitez le http://losttothesea.com/.
[Légende des photos lues]
• La perte du vapeur à aubes City of Monticello qui emporte avec lui de nombreux membres de son équipage, est l'une des plus grandes tragédies à avoir lieu sur nos côtes. Le 10 novembre 1900, en effectuant un voyage de Saint-Jean (N.-B.) à Yarmouth, ce navire chavire dans une tempête et disparaît. Il y a 32 membres d'équipage et 8 passagers à bord. Trente-six personnes y trouvent la mort, laissant dans le deuil 15 femmes et 49 enfants. Ce tableau, signé "John Davis, 1981", est inspiré d'une ancienne peinture de J. E. Baker. De la collection du Musée du comté de Yarmouth.
• La veille de Noël 1990, le bateau de pêche au homard Miss Charity quitte le port pour aller vérifier ses casiers. Le bateau, ainsi que son équipage de trois hommes, disparaissent; une vague scélérate aurait renversé le bateau.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Lost at Sea series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1879.
Location. 43° 47.676′ N, 66° 9.291′ W. Marker is in Cape Forchu, Nova Scotia, in Yarmouth County. Marker is at the Cape Forchu Lightstation. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1856 Nova Scotia Route 304, Cape Forchu NS B5A 4A7, Canada. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Phare Cap-Forchu / Cape Forchu Lightstation (here, next to this marker); The Power of the Sea (within shouting distance of this marker); Cape Forchu's Guiding Light (within shouting distance of this marker); In Dire Need of a Lighthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); A Diverse Fishery (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to the Leif Ericson Trail (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Pieces of the Past (about 180 meters away); Explosive Geology (about 210 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cape Forchu.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.
Also see . . .
1. Lost to the Sea Memorial, Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. Memorial Website homepage (Submitted on August 23, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Cape Forchu: A Light Like No Other. Lighthouse Website homepage (Submitted on August 23, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on March 18, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 23, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 241 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 25, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
