“The Escuminac Disaster (II)”

Description

This is the story of the Escuminac Bay disaster. Thirty-five were lost salmon-fishing in the storm but some were saved. "A drive for funds for the widows And for those who lost souls at sea Was organized in New Brunswick To help raise their families"

Supplemental text

Escuminac Disaster (II), The
  Partial text(s)

          *** A ***

From Louise Manny and James Reginald Wilson, Songs of Miramichi,
#17a, pp. 95-96. From the singing of Alex Milson of Chatham (the
composer of the song) in 1960.

Won't you listen as I tell my sad story
  Of the disaster Escuminac Bay,
Where the fishermen were fishing for salmon,
  For that's how they earn their pay.

(8 additional stanzas)

Notes

Manny/Wilson: A source for information about the disaster is _The Ecuminac Disaster_ by Roy Saunders. - BS

The Escuminac tragedy was one of those defining moments for its community. Manny/Wilson report that performers sang no fewer than five songs about it at the 1959 Miramichi Folk Festival, and another in 1960 -- one, in fact, a tribute to the area by one of the drowned men. Of these six, they reported three, including this one. - RBW

Historical references

• June 19, 1959 - 22 salmon boats and 35 crewmen from Escuminac lost in a storm (Manny/Wilson)

References

1. Manny/Wilson 17a, "The Escuminac Disaster" (1 text, 1 tune)
2. ST MaWi017a (Partial)
3. Roud #9194
4. BI, MaWi017a