THE PEOPLE OF THE COAST 165 



bells from Norway and Scotland came out with the Hudson's 

 Bay Fur Trading Company, and have left a plentiful 

 progeny to represent them in this generation. One Jersey 

 firm still has a fishing-room. Stone fish-drying bournes, 

 brick chimneys, and occasional panelled doors testify to 

 the excellent scale on which the enterprising men of Jersey 

 once carried on the fishery so far from their own sunny 

 homes. Their influence in doing things must have been 

 very great. But with one or two exceptions there is to- 

 day nothing to compare with the relatively fine style in 

 which all their arrangements were carried out, and their 

 men housed. These businesses have long ago passed into 

 the hands of Newfoundland firms. 



The fishery of Blanc Sablon is perhaps the one pursued 

 on the largest scale. It has holdings also at Greenley 

 Island and Forteau. The enterprise of the Honourable 

 Captain Sam Blandford added largely to its fame and 

 efficiency, for he annually hired at great expense two large 

 steamers in which he pushed as far north as Cape Chidley, 

 to add a second chance to each voyage. 



Canadian fishing vessels visiting Labrador from the lower 

 provinces are fewer than twenty years ago. Americans 

 from Maine are more numerous. These, the finest fishing 

 vessels by far that come amongst us, are always welcome. 

 Their crews are a generous, open-handed crowd of men, 

 thorough fishermen, and splendidly fitted out. Our own 

 humble vessels look poor and sorry beside them. Only 

 for one thing do we regret their advent, and that is due 

 to their indifference to what we consider the laws of God. 

 They go fishing and working on Sundays among our people, 

 who, though poorer and far more needy of material wealth, 



