Old Ports Bring New Friends: Schooner Days DCLVIII (658)

by C. H. J. Snider

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MANY friends have assisted in recalling the port life of Darlington and Bond Head, the "lost" harbors of the inland towns of Bowmanville and Newcastle, which not even a yacht visits nowadays, although they are within fifty miles of Toronto. They once had fast steam er services to the Queen City, as well as schooners loading and unloading daily. It is hardly accurate to call them "lost" harbors, although their lighthouses are gone, their piers under water, and their entrances silted up so much that they are at present practicable only for launches. Fishermen and summer cottagers still use them, and they are ideal camp sites, or permanent residential areas, within easy driving distance of Toronto. They could be developed as little Venices, and who knows whether they will not again shelter steamers, yachts, launches, flying boats and seaplanes?

But never again will they see the jaunty little fore-and-afters like the Pioneer or Ariadne, owned in Newcastle, or the Vienna, Trade Wind, Maple Leaf, Helen, Rapid City, North West, Wm. Jamieson, W. T. Greenwood, Flora Emma or Katie Eccles coming in to pick up lumber, barley, hardheads, or beachstone, nor will bluff-bowed three-masters like the Oliver Mowat or Sir C. T. Van Straubenzee or St. Louis arrive three-quarters loaded with the season's coal. Those schooner days are gone forever, with the red and white light Tom Hoar kept at Darlington and the bright light that beamed over the waters at Newcastle.

That port, by the way, was known as Bond Head Harbor, apparently not from the bluff or headland east of the creek, where the Newcastle Highlands begin their gallop towards Port Hope, but from Sir Francis Bond Head, governor in rebellion times.

Here are some

NEWCASTLE, CAPT. JOHN GOLDRING AND THE HELEN

Sir—I read with interest your "Schooner Days" every Saturday night in The Telegram and hoped I that some day you would mention Newcastle and Captain John Goldring and his schooner "Helen." My hopes were realized the last two! weeks and I agree with Mrs. R. G. Wright that the picture in August 19th issue was that of Newcastle and not Bowmanville harbour. I was born and brought up in Newcastle, and lived there for twenty years within a mile of the harbour. During the summer time I visited the lakefront daily and since leaving home have visited the place at least once yearly. During these years I have watched the piers, elevators, etc., gradually disappear. The picture above mentioned was exactly as I remember the harbour in my boyhood days even to the boathouses in forefront of the picture. These, by the way, I think still remain. The only thing lacking was the "Helen" tied up at the pier. Captain John was probably away with a load of stone. I used to marvel at the man operating that boat by himself. I don't remember which he lost first, but within a short period of time he lost his boat, his wife and his house which was burned to the ground. Captain John then fixed up the stable and lived out his remaining days there.

As far as I can remember the piers were in fairly good condition on into the 1920s, although the light house had disappeared before that.

My father, a lifelong resident of Newcastle, could have given you a lot of information about the earlier days but he died early this year.

Sincerely,

KENNETH G. H. PEARCE,

Midland, Ont.

ENGLISH WOMAN'S CHILDHOOD BRIGHTENED BY BOND HEAD

Sir—I am going to refer to that old familiar place, "Bond Head" or Newcastle Harbor, in which I spent my girlhood days, as it was my first village I lived in after coming from England on April 11th in 1899.

Referring to the old stonehooker "Helen," sailed by Capt. Johnny Goldring, whom I well remember, both him and his wife. She and I were maids at the same home. I cannot at this time place Mrs. R. G. Wright, who wrote of Newcastle, as there has been quite a number of changes since I left Newcastle 42 years ago. I noticed as I went on reading the items referring to the late Alfred Lake, also Captain Frank Gibson, who lived right at Bond Head and whose home I used to visit occasionally. With his family I went to church and Sunday school at the "St. George Church," of which I was a member.

I must explain also that the harbor was built up by my late husband, Mr. R. Barrett, also by Capt. Gibson in later years, it being my husband's home with his family. I would like if you could let me know where I could get in touch with Mrs. Wright, as I am always interested in anyone that comes from Newcastle, hoping my letter won't take up too much of your time for I am sure I was greatly surprised when I saw picture in The Telegram.

MRS. ANNIE BARRETT

15 King st., Port Hope.

Formerly of Newcastle, Ont.

Mrs. R. G. Wright, 8 Harbord street, Toronto, may be glad to hear from Mrs. Barrett.—Schooner Days.

SCHOOLMASTER'S DAUGHTER SENDS GOOD PICTURE

Sir—My father taught school in the village of Newcastle for 25 years and your ignoble subject was born there. Many a day my brothers and I walked the mile and one-half to jump off this dock. No cars, not even a decent bike. My brother took this picture in 1912. We even owned the 3rd boathouse and housed a rowboat called the "Kathleen," after me. Are you convinced? All for a just cause and the honor of "Bond Head."

MRS. P. W. CLEAVE,

Georgetown, Ont.

NEWCASTLE HARBOR, 1912, a picture supplied by a Georgetown lady—who will get it back.