Home "photo
gallery " The vessel “Barbara Macdonald” was built of the finest material available, with timber coming all the way from British Columbia. Begun on April 1st , 1919 and launched at Cardigan in November of the same year, it was a beautiful ship of which owner John A Macdonald was justly proud. The Barbara started her maiden voyage with the owner aboard “for a rest” on a clear cold day, Dec. 3, 1919. Loaded with produce, she proudly sailed up Cardigan River on her way to the Atlantic Ocean. Then on Dec. 9th, without warning a hurricane struck in all its fury. The worst storm in 26 years swept the Atlantic and turned the peaceful voyage into a nightmare. The violent northwest winds did not let up for three long days. No less than 36 vessels went to the bottom during this terrible storm. Then a great tragedy struck. The captain, while shouting out orders, was caught by a great wave and washed overboard never to be seen again. It was now Dec. 10th. The ship had no sail, no captain and no bearings. The first mate took charge of the ship. Then to make matters worse, a severe snow storm accompanied by heavy frost now confronted the suffering crew. Minutes seemed like hours as the howling blizzard seemed to mock the sailors. The deck and rigging was covered with 5 inches of ice; fortunately the ship was new and strongly built or it would not have remained afloat after the first few hours. Six days later on Sunday, December 14th, disaster struck as the “Barbara” hit the rocks off Newfoundland. If the plight of the crew was hopeless before, it was even worse now. The heavy seas continually drove the ship towards the almost vertical towering cliffs. Each man grabbed a rope and secured it around his waist. As the ship listed, they lowered themselves over the lee side and clung there like puppets on a string. It became pitch black as the merciless sea lashed at the wounded ship. But where there is life, there is hope and slowly the men made their way onto the 350 foot high cliffs. Inch by inch, each man started climbing in the inky black, but after hours of climbing they were only a fraction of the way up the vertical rock. Eventually, most made it to the top. Not a speck of human habitation was visible as far as the eye could see. It was nearly 20 miles of walking over the rocks and scrubby spruce until they made it to the nearest settlement. The folks at home had given up all hope of ever seeing the men again. But a strange coincidence occurred on the same Sunday (December 14th) that the men started climbing the cliff. “John A’s” daughter while half asleep, stumbled into her mother’s room and cried out excitedly “Mama, Mama, Daddy is saved.” A gloomy Christmas turned into the happiest ever when “John
A “and what was left of the Barbara’s crew arrived back
in Cardigan. Upon seeing her husband, Mrs. Macdonald exclaimed “Jack,
you’ve turned gray”. The man who had left Cardigan a few
short weeks before with jet black hair now showed the toll from those
harrowing experiences at sea
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We
are at the centre of PEI's east coast only 5 minutes from Brudenell
and Dundarave and 20 minutes from Crowbush Golf Courses. Overlooking
the Cardigan Marina on the Points East Coastal Drive, Route 311.
Our
orignal 100 year old store, a heritage building, is home to our unique
pub with full bar and great music. It is ideal for groups to meet
before your supper. This room, features many antiques items from
the "Olde
Macdonald Store".
