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The Effie M. Lost with All Hands The first evidence of this disaster came in the form of a message to Baine Johnston & Co. from Old Perlican saying that a wreck there pointed to the “Effie M.” from Trinity. Soon Magistrate Lilly was to confirm that it was indeed the 72 ton “Effie M.” that had been wrecked at Lead Cove. Under the command of Frederick Morris, Trouty, the vessel was on her way home from the Labrador. She had a crew of about ten men, on the way south she called at Crouse, where some planters were taken aboard. All of them, planters and crew, belonging to Trinity, Trouty, or a small settlement in the vicinity called Spaniard’s Cove. The ill-fated vessel was in company with several other vessels when the gale burst in its fury on Wednesday, September 18, 1907. A small part of the fleet of schooners over nighting at Seldom-Come-By left at daylight that morning although the weather was threatening. Later most skippers put into Catalina to ride out the storm in safety. She was recognized off Bonaventure Head when he was not able to get into either Trinity or Trouty. It is said that the people of Trouty, where most of the men came from saw her from there on Wednesday, and thought she was beating down for Trinity. One little boy, whose father was on board, walked to Trinity to meet him. Capt. Morris kept on his way, evidently hoping to reach Lance Cove. It is thought that he either lost his canvas or missed Lance Cove and got into Lead Cove. The “Nelson” was still in company with the “Effie M” until they reached Copper Island. The “Nelson”, with about a three mile lead, made Grates Cove at about 10 o’clock. She made it through the Bacclieu Tickle. In the darkness the distance was misjudged and the “Effie M.” struck on Red Head, an almost perpendicular cliff where she went ashore is such a bold place that even in daylight the crew would scarcely have a fighting chance for their lives. Lost in the disaster were Frederick Morris, Master, his son James Robert, John Ash, Walter Brown and Robert Morris all from Trouty. From Spaniard’s Cove there were William A. Miller and his two sons John R. and James M. as well as James Janes. James Fleet, George Hiscock, John Pinhorn, Arthur and Stephen Sexton (father and son) and James Woolridge were from Trinity. They left behind a total of six widows and seventeen orphans. By September 24, thirteen bodies had been recovered, coffined at Old Perlican and arrangements having been made by the Colonial Secretary with the Reid Company, they were shipped to Trinity by the S.S. “Ethie”, The schooner was insured in the Trinity Mutual Club and her outfit was covered by Lloyds. What quantity of fish was aboard was unknown beyond a large amount belonging to the owner Mr. Joseph Morris. The freighters, no doubt, had the bulk and possibly all their season’s catch aboard at the time. A disaster fund was started and by the end of the month close to $2000 had been realized. |
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