130 REPORTS. 



perhaps throw some light on the doggerel lines that used to 

 form part of one of the stanzas : — 



" Confound their politics, 

 Frustrate their knavish tricks," &c. 



THE LAUNCH OP THE "CONCORDIA." 



The last half century has seen many changes. When I 

 first came to the Island a frequent subject of conversation — 

 especially among those who lived out St. Sampson's way — was 

 the launch of the brigantine Concordia and the peculiar cir- 

 cumstances that characterised that launch. The vessel in 

 question was, in 1836, built by Mr. Stonelake, of St. 

 Sampson's, whose shipyard then occupied the ground that is 

 now at the back of Mr. Brehaut's grocery stores. As the 

 Concordia was built and launched in 1836, some seventy-eight 

 years have since elapsed (1914), and it naturally follows that 

 all those who were then old enough to take an active part in 

 the affair have since passed away. -Fifty years ago many 

 were living who recollected the event, and they often talked 

 about it. I may just mention here that I am indebted for the 

 dates and several other particulars to Mr. J. Le M. Bougourd, 

 the Agent of the Guernsey Steam Towing and Trading 

 Company, who very kindly obtained them for me. Among 

 those who helped to build and launch the vessel was Mr. 

 Peter Le Maitre, who was a shipwright by trade, and was 

 Mr. Bougourd's maternal grandfather. The family residence 

 was next door to the shipyard, and the Le Maitres took a 

 great interest in the whole affair. In later life, too, Mr. Le 

 Maitre often spoke of the matter to his grandson. The 

 peculiar circumstances were these : When the Concordia, was 

 finished, and the day of the launch arrived, the usual " ways " 

 leading down to St. Sampson's Harbor r were laid across the 

 road and the vessel was duly started on her course. She 

 seemed to slide along all right for a little way and then, with- 

 out any apparent cause, she stuck, and although she was 

 comparatively a small and light vessel it was found impossible 

 to move her further. Mr. Stonelake and his assistants were 

 all practical men, well accustomed to the work, and they tried 

 all they knew to get her into the water. Ultimately, the 

 " ways " were reconstructed, a lifting-jack was applied, and 

 each end of the hull was in turn raised quite clear of the bed 

 on which it rested. But all to no avail. There the little 

 craft firmly stuck. Neighbours, of course, began to stroll up 

 to make remarks and give advice, most of them suggesting 

 witchcraft as the detaining force, But this was repudiated on 



