“The Wreck of the Steamship Ethie”
Description
On the afternoon of December 10, 1919, the "Ethie"-- despite the skilled work of her crew -- encounters a terrible storm and runs aground around one o'clock in the morning. All manage to reach shore in a boatswain's chair.
Notes
Elisabeth Bristol Greenleaf went to Sally's Cove as a volunteer teacher for Sir Wilfred Genfell's mission in the spring of 1920. Sally's Cove, near Bonne Bay on the west coast, is only two miles south from the wreck which occurred at Martin's Point.
For the account of her experiences with the song, consult R.D. Madison ed, _Newfoundland Summers: the Ballad Collecting of Elisabeth Bristol Greenleaf_ (Westerly, RI: The Utter Co., 1982), pp. 11-14. Some of the words are included with paraphrases inserted. - SH
Greenleaf's account is included in Greenleaf/Mansfield for this song - BS
Roud lumps this song with "Come All ye Jolly Ice-Hunters" -- a song with which it shares some elements, but this song is based on an incident almost a century more recent. - RBW
Historical references
- Dec11, 1919 - Wreck of the Ethie (in the early morning)
Cross references
- cf. "Come All ye Jolly Ice-Hunters" (theme)
References
- Greenleaf/Mansfield 138, "The Wreck of the Steamship Ethie" (1 text, 1 tune)
- Doyle2, p. 59, "The Wreck of the Steamship Ethie" (1 text, 1 tune)
- Doyle3, p. 88, "The Wreck of the Steamship Ethie" (1 text, 1 tune)
- Blondahl, pp. 86-87, "The Wreck of the Steamship Ethie" (1 text, 1 tune)
- Roud #6345
- BI, Doy59