The S.S. Ethie was a ship employed in the Newfoundland coastal trade and was driven by both steam and sail. On December 11, 1919, she could no longer fight the raging seas which were whipped to a froth by high winds.
Her 92 passengers and crew feared for their lives as the icy water and rock-lined shore threatened. Fearing the worst, one parent put her baby in a mailbag and sent her adrift hoping by some miracle she would make it to shore.
All 92 were saved, including the baby.
This is what is left of the hull of the doomed ship.
I made these photos with the story of the Ethie in mind and used long exposures to emphasize the stormy seas. While it was pretty windy on the beach that day, I’m sure it was nothing compared to the day she ran aground.
Most striking of the SS Ethie wreck are the oil stained rocks that a century of relentless foul weather have yet to clean up. Thanks for the reminders. The boiler remains looks like the hull, which was wood and very little of it survives. The biggest chunk left is the engine block out in the surf.
For a dose of hair raising Newfie seafaring read Farley Mowat’s Grey Seas Under.
That’s a great set of images and I love the colours
Thanks LensScraper, I appreciate the visit and comments.
Holy smokes here, Anne, what an amazing story! And your accompanying photos are absolutely perfect, my friend! Great post here today, I sure did enjoy it!
Hi Toad, thank you! I know you always like a good story. I’ve been trying to write more background information about my photos as I travel. Thanks again for the visit.
Cool, some pretty nice rocks on that beach too!
Hi Alan, thanks for the comments. Yes, I couldn’t peel myself away from the rocks on the beaches in Newfoundland. You should go!!
Amazing photos and story Anne. I’ve never heard of it before. It amazes me that the hull still has such vibrant color after all of these years.