WILLIE MARTIN

The Evening Herald, St. John’s, Newfoundland, December 2, 1911

Schr. Loses Rudder – Driven 70 miles to Sea – Had to Return to Port.

The schr. Willie Martin, Capt. Wm. Martin, reached port this morning and hauled into Steer Bros. wharf being forced to return to St. John’s as her disabled condition would not permit her to reach her destination in Trinity Bay.

The schooner loaded with general cargo at Steer Brothers premises and left for Random, T.B., last Wednesday morning. After getting out around the heads a fair wind offered, which although moderate at first, steadily increased, as the wind increased so likewise did the water become turbulent. About four o’clock in the afternoon the schooner was in the vicinity of Baccalieu. A heavy gale of wind and sea was now raging, and sail of necessity was shortened. The vessel had passed through Baccalieu when a heavy sea came tearing over the stern of the craft, and when it had cleared from the deck the crew were horrified to discover that the schooner was rendered helpless by her rudders being disabled. The situation of the Captain and crew was not a pleasant one. The heavy sea prevented them from making any kind of temporary repairs. Fortunately the wind was ‘off’ the land and while it held thus no imminent danger existed. A little sail was kept on the schooner and by this means the crew were enabled to steer her somewhat. The vessel drifted along and early Thursday morning she was off Bonavista Cape. The wind now veered round to the N.W. with much force. As nothing could be done the vessel’s head was ‘hove’ round and she was driven out to sea. When the wind abated Thursday evening the crew estimated that they had been driven about 70 miles from land. The sea had now gone down sufficiently to enable those on board to rig a kind of jury rudder, several sails were hoisted and under a slight breeze the vessel was taken in towards the land. It was impossible to get to Random and the Captain decided to come to St. John’s, which port she entered this morning. Orders were given immediately for a new rudder which will be put in position as quickly as possible.

The experience was a severe one, but the crew are thankful that they escaped so well.

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Evening Telegram, July 4, 1916

Labrador Sailings – the following schooners left Trinity last week for the Labrador:- H.J. Bailey, Majestic, Seven Brothers, British Empire, Twilight, Garnet, Prowl, Freda D, Edith May, St. Joseph, Willie Martin, and Beatrice.

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Evening Telegram, December 7, 1921

OTHER DISASTERS

 Mr. W. R. Dove, of Steer Bros., received a message last night from Bay de Verde stating that the schooner “Willie Martin,” Willis Martin, master, was a total wreck, but the crew had landed safely on the back of Bay de Verde. The vessel left Steer Bros’ wharf Monday morning for Little Heart’s Ease with a full cargo of provisions, and was lost in the storm while running for shelter.

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For more information on the Willie Martin, click here.